ZRIA Brokered the Partnership Between TBU and St. Mary’s University

The finalization of an partnership agreement between Tomas Bata University and St. Mary’s University in Texas is an important outcome pre-negotiated by the regional development agency ZRIA, connected with SXSW 2025. TBU Rector Milan Adámek, part of the Zlín Region delegation at the conference, signed the agreement on 8 March directly in San Antonio, the home city of the Texas university.

“We are pleased that after several months of negotiations we placed a meaningful agreement on the table that will bring new opportunities for students, academics, and both institutions. Connecting educational institutions, alongside building business partnerships, is our priority,” said Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA. The agency thus fulfils the mandate of its founder, the Zlín Region, for which developing the university and its international partnerships is a key priority. “We have been cooperating closely with TBU in recent years, supporting it financially, and we want to see student numbers grow and teaching become more internationalised. The agreement fulfils these intentions,” said Deputy Governor David Vychytil.

Cooperation will focus on student and faculty exchange visits, joint research projects, and certification programmes. Long-term exchanges are due to begin in autumn 2025, short certification programmes during summer. Cutting edge disciplines: software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital innovation. TBU already offers English-taught programmes in these areas, so no new fields need to be established.

“For us, this is another opportunity to advance the teaching of modern, rapidly developing fields. Cooperation with a university in one of the world’s most progressive regions is an ideal chance,” said Rector Milan Adámek. ZRIA also supported TBU in submitting a SAEG grant application (U.S. Study Abroad Engagement Grants), a special U.S. Department of State programme supporting academic partnerships. “Our role was in brokering contacts, initiating the process, and supporting the application. If approved, the grant will help finance student exchanges, joint academic programmes, and technology certification expansion,” said Petr Kubíček.