A scientific-technical park is being developed in the Zlín housing estate for 220 million CZK

Zlín - A science and technology park focused on information and communication technologies is being built in the largest residential area of Zlín, Jižní Svahy. The Tomáš Baťa University successfully secured a grant from the Operational Program Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the construction, costing nearly 220 million crowns. The building will be located next to the Faculty of Applied Informatics.
    "This will increase the creative potential of the university in the field of applied informatics. The existing faculty building is no longer sufficient. We have a lot of rentals, so we are very pleased to be able to create additional opportunities for our school's potential within a year," said the rector of the university, Petr Sáha, today to ČTK and Czech Radio.
    Sáha added that the construction will fulfill the university's vision - a seamless transition between university research and practice. The science and technology park will offer 5300 square meters of laboratory space and areas for IT companies. Part of it will also be used by the newly established Center for Security, Information, and Advanced Technologies CEBIA - Tech. The university's bursar, Alexander Černý, told ČTK that the faculty of applied informatics managed to secure a grant of 174 million crowns for the equipment of this center.
    "We expect the park to be occupied by some other companies and organizations as well. It will be limited to 300 jobs. The faculty will have primarily special laboratories or a special anechoic chamber for ultra-short waves," added the bursar.
    Although the builders have been working on the site for several weeks, it was only today that representatives of the university, members of its board of directors, and representatives of the companies constructing the science and technology park officially started the work at the construction site by laying the foundation stone. The ceremonial event was also attended by Sonja Baťová, the wife of the late shoemaker Tomáš Baťa. "Education in any country is better for its not only economic growth. New buildings must be celebrated; they are very important," she said.
    The new construction will consist of three buildings that will connect to the existing complex from the western part. The work is expected to be completed by next May.
    The science and technology park in Jižní Svahy is not the only project started by the university in Zlín this year. A Center for Polymer Systems will be built between Antonínova Street and Tomáš Baťa Boulevard for 896 million crowns, with equipment costs of 200 million crowns. The European grant is 754 million crowns. "A tender is being prepared, and I hope that within a few weeks it will be clear who will receive the contract," Sáha reminded. The modern research complex is expected to be completed in the academic year 2013/2014. It will gradually be equipped with the necessary technical equipment by 2015.