March 12, 2025
International memorandum of understanding promotes cultural and technological exchange
On Saturday, St. Mary’s University signed a memorandum of understanding with Tomas Bata University in the Czech Republic city of Zlín, bringing the two institutions together to enhance international understanding and education.
Tomas Bata University is a public university with more than 9,000 students who study with faculty focused on six areas: technology, management and economics, multimedia communications, applied informatics, humanities, and logistics and crisis management.
The agreement encourages the two universities to establish a framework for academic and scientific cooperation, which will provide participating students, faculty and staff with an opportunity to study, teach and research, and benefit from the academic and cultural environment in the U.S. and Czech Republic.
“Building this bridge between St. Mary’s University and Tomas Bata University promotes global technology collaboration and cultural exchange, enriching the educational experience and creating new opportunities for students and faculty,” said Teresa “Teri” A. Beam, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology at St. Mary’s University.
Cooperative efforts may include:
- Student exchanges
- Reciprocal degree programs
- Hosting short-term study abroad programs, such as language programs in English and Czech, or technical programs in computer science and engineering.
- Faculty and staff exchanges
- Seminars and academic meetings
- Collaborative professional faculty and staff development activities
Tomas Bata University emphasizes the values of entrepreneurship, openness, usefulness, creativity and responsibility, and it was among the first higher education institutions in the Czech Republic to gain institutional accreditation.
Dignitaries from both universities attended the signing and toured the St. Mary’s campus along with representatives from the Czech Republic, the City of San Antonio and greater:SATX.