In Liberec, the construction of a laboratory complex costing 310 million CZK began today

Liberec - The construction of a new complex of laboratories began today at the Technical University. The contractor for the building, costing over 310 million crowns, is the Prague-based Metrostav, which won in a public competition. The construction of the new research center is funded by the Operational Program Research and Development for Innovations. The university received 800 million for the project, while the remaining funds are allocated for equipment and instruments as well as the start of research, said Rector Zdeněk Kůs on the occasion of the construction launch.
    The modern complex of laboratories is intended for technical fields and research in the area of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. The site will be located near Students' Square on the university's campus on unused land and will partially replace the buildings of the old boiler house. "We have already completed the demolition and most of the earthworks," noted Pavel Šrámek from Metrostav.
    The modern seven-story complex is expected to be completed in November next year. According to Kůs, it will then need to be equipped with about a hundred modern instruments costing tens of millions of crowns, which the school has already begun to purchase for the laboratories.
    According to the rector, the preparation for building the laboratories has been ongoing for ten years. The project is one of eight that received funding from the research and development program last year. The entire project, costing over 800 million, is spread over four years. In the first phase, the construction and procurement of equipment are taking place, and its research activities are simultaneously commencing. "Then it will have to generate its own income, not only to cover employee salaries but also for new instruments. It is estimated that it will need to secure approximately 100 to 150 million crowns annually from various sources," Kůs added.
    The new Pavilion L is the largest investment project in the history of the Liberec University. The aim of the project is to improve conditions for research and development, as well as for study. Thanks to this project, the university will also gain space for further development. However, according to Kůs, it is not the only project. The school is also preparing the construction of another building, G, which will complete Students' Square. The Faculty of Science and Humanities and Education, which is currently scattered across several buildings, is expected to move there. "We have already submitted an application for a grant from the Research and Development for Innovations program, but we still do not have a building permit," added the rector.
    The Liberec University was established 57 years ago from the original College of Mechanical Engineering. In addition to the original faculties of mechanical engineering and textiles, an additional four faculties were added between 1990 and 1995 - education, economics, architecture, and mechatronics. Since 2006, the Institute of Health Studies has also been operating in Liberec, which is expected to eventually become the seventh faculty. A year ago, the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies, and Innovations was added, which will operate in the newly constructed complex. Currently, nearly 10,500 young people are studying in Liberec, with five percent being foreigners.