New Experiences and Opportunities for International Cooperation from Türkiye
9. November 2026New academic partnerships, joint research initiatives, and plans for an international educational programme are among the key outcomes of a working visit to Türkiye by Ing. Slavomíra Vargová, PhD., Vice-Dean for Internationalisation at the Faculty of Logistics and Crisis Management (FLCM), Tomas Bata University in Zlín, in late October and early November 2026.
The visit began with participation in the IYRSC 2026 (International Young Researchers Student Congress) in the Antalya region, providing an excellent opportunity for academic discussions, knowledge exchange, and establishing new international contacts. The programme continued with a visit to Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University’s campus in Bucak and meetings with representatives of other Turkish universities.
Connecting Theory with Practice
One of the most memorable experiences was observing practical training for students of Emergency and Disaster Management at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. Under the guidance of Yağmur Aydın Arıkan, students demonstrated rescue operations involving the extraction of people trapped under earthquake debris at a specially prepared training area on campus.
Türkiye is a particularly valuable partner in civil protection and disaster management. Its extensive experience with natural disasters is reflected in the education of future professionals, hands-on training, and public disaster preparedness. Sharing these experiences offers valuable inspiration for further developing practical education at FLCM.
New Partnerships and Opportunities for Students
An important outcome of the visit was the establishment and strengthening of cooperation with three Turkish universities: Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Süleyman Demirel University, and Dokuz Eylül University.
Preparations for Erasmus+ bilateral agreements are now underway, potentially creating new opportunities for student and staff mobility. Discussions also focused on developing a joint Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) dedicated to interdisciplinary education and practical training. This format combines short-term physical mobility with virtual learning, allowing students to develop their skills through international teamwork.
The new partnerships may also bring guest lectures by international experts to FLCM.
Joint Research Across Borders
Another important part of the visit was the presentation of the faculty’s research project focusing on Generation Z and volunteering. The project explores what motivates young people to help others and how they perceive volunteering in emergencies and crisis situations.
Thanks to cooperation with Turkish academics, the research has now been extended to university students in Türkiye. Data collection is currently underway, with the aim of comparing students’ attitudes in the Czech Republic and Türkiye and preparing a joint scientific publication.
Another promising area of future cooperation involves comparing disaster management education and students’ practical preparedness in both countries.
Cooperation That Will Continue
The visit resulted not only in new academic contacts but also in concrete opportunities for long-term international cooperation. The planned activities bring together education, research, and practical experience, creating opportunities for both students and academic staff.
We believe these partnerships will lead to inspiring encounters, joint projects, and meaningful exchanges of knowledge and experience. Learning from different perspectives, sharing expertise, and working together to address current challenges are among the greatest benefits of international cooperation.
The newly established connections may also offer opportunities for other faculties of Tomas Bata University in Zlín, supporting internationalisation across the university as a whole.