Brno and the South Moravian Region have become one of the main hubs for semiconductor activity in the Czech Republic. This is no coincidence, but rather the result of many years of systematic work connecting research, companies, and talent. As the governor of the region and a member of the BUT Board of Trustees, I have been following this development closely and consider the last year to be truly groundbreaking. The governor wrote a short reflection for the university magazine News at BUT.
The most significant event is the establishment of the National Semiconductor Center, which brings together key scientific and industrial institutions. They deserve a big thank you – especially the rector of BUT – for their efforts in this project. It is extremely positive that Karel Masařík from Codasip has been appointed to manage the center, thus ensuring the connection between the academic and business spheres. Codasip is today the European “flagship” in the field of RISC-V with a global reach, and it is precisely this practical experience that is a prerequisite for real results, not just a logo on the door.
The second line is the growing role of industry – namely onsemi, which is making one of the largest investments in chip production in Czechia. One of its research centers also operates in Brno, confirming how strategic our region has become. Given that our regions are small, the impact of this investment clearly transcends borders – developments in neighboring regions logically have a major impact on us as well.
The JIC innovation agency also plays a huge role in this ecosystem, having supported the creation and growth of companies with global ambitions, including semiconductor companies, for more than 20 years. It is the JIC that helps talent, ideas, and research penetrate the business world and creates an environment in which projects such as the National Semiconductor Center can truly grow.
The Brno University of Technology is a separate chapter. I dare say that it is now the leader in semiconductor expertise in the Czech Republic, with all due respect to key cooperation with other universities, primarily the Czech Technical University in Prague. Even in the BUT Board of Trustees, we see a clear shift towards large strategic projects and the interconnection of education, research, and innovation. The results are no longer just academic—they have an impact on the real economy.
From the region’s perspective, we face two major challenges. The first is the relocation of part of the semiconductor industry’s production chain back to Europe. Thanks to BUT, JIC, and strong companies, especially in the field of electron microscopy, we are a visible player on a global scale and can play an even more significant role. The second challenge is the completion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant, to which BUT is again contributing its world-class expertise in nuclear energy.
I am glad to be the governor at a time when projects are emerging in our region that could influence industry and the economy for many decades to come. It is a joy and, at the same time, a huge motivation for further joint work.
Jan Grolich for News at BUT magazine
Photo: Regional Office of the South Moravian Region
