Interest in top-tier AI education is growing in the Czech Republic. The inter-university program prg.ai Minor now counts over a hundred graduates.

The program, which brings together the best courses from CTU’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL) and Faculty of Information Technology (FIT), as well as Charles University’s Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV) and Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (MFF), aims to nurture a new generation of AI experts through interdisciplinary education and strong links to industry.

A record year and growing interest in the program

“This year we’ve had the highest number of graduates in the program’s history, as well as the fastest study pace,” said Lukáš Kačena, Director of prg.ai. “Thirteen students completed the prg.ai Minor within a single year, which shows their remarkable dedication.”

In spring 2025, the seventh cohort of 65 students enrolled, bringing the total number of active students to 160 across faculties — from participating FEL CTU, FIT CTU, MFF UK, and FSV UK to FJFI CTU, PF UK, and PřF UK.

‘You started before it was cool,’ city councillor praised

In his speech, Prague City Councillor for ICT, Smart City, Science, Research and Innovation, Daniel Mazur, emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation between the city, universities, and prg.ai.

“The collaboration between our two leading universities and prg.ai is rare and extremely valuable. You’ve maintained the quality you began with — and you started before it was cool. Thank you for helping Prague grab innovation by the hair and turn it into reality,” he told the gathered graduates.

According to Mazur, the prg.ai Minor program proves that Prague aspires not only to be a place where AI is discussed, but also where AI is truly developed, studied, and used responsibly.

Academics: graduates are the face of a new generation of AI experts

“AI is becoming an omnipresent technology. Respect for it is growing, as are concerns about its impact. I believe that prg.ai Minor graduates will be the ones helping the public better understand and use artificial intelligence for the benefit of society,” highlighted Tomáš Skopal, Vice-Rector for Information Technologies at Charles University, stressing the graduates’ social responsibility.

Karel Klouda, faculty coordinator of the program from CTU’s Faculty of Information Technology, praised the students’ courage and persistence. “As the four guarantors, we’ve been here from the start — it’s been over six years. I appreciate that students in already demanding programs decided to take on even more responsibilities,” he said.

His remarks were echoed by Petr Páta, Dean of the CTU Faculty of Electrical Engineering. “You chose a path that is harder and more demanding. But that’s exactly what gives you a unique advantage. You understand new technologies and their context — something not everyone can claim today,” he emphasized.

Students: more than just studies — it’s a community

The atmosphere of the graduation evening was further enriched by the speech of Olga Pimenova, a graduate from CTU’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

“Studying in prg.ai Minor wasn’t just about lectures. It was a community that’s shaping the future. The program opened doors to meaningful work — and that’s the greatest value I take from it,” said Pimenova.

Other graduates highlighted the practical Industry Talks, where they had the chance to engage with professionals from companies such as Gen, MAMA AI, and Qminers.

“At first, I saw the Industry Talks as a nice bonus, but over time they became my favorite part of the Minor program. These evenings are always thought-provoking, with a great atmosphere that helps you better understand current trends, the job market, and your own opportunities,” added Šárka Lísková, a graduate from CTU’s Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering.

Positive feedback came also from other graduates. “For economics students, the program is an excellent opportunity to gain a more practical and realistic insight into the technical world and open doors to exciting positions,” said Tomáš Svoboda, a graduate from Charles University’s Faculty of Social Sciences.