How did you learn about the ČEZ Photovoltaic Academy, and what motivated you to apply?
I learned about it from the head of the department, Professor Radomír Goňa, who sent us an email with the offer. It caught my interest because I had worked in the field of photovoltaics, I wanted to broaden my horizons and try something new. Working in an international team was also beneficial for my English.

Can you describe how the program was conducted?
There were expert lectures, sometimes held until lunchtime, sometimes until the evening. They were led by ČEZ employees who work on floating solar power plants and similar projects. There were also field trips, for example to Štěchovice or the Ledvice power plant and others. This way, they showed us how they work with photovoltaics and how the field is developing.

What was the most interesting thing for you?
Probably the opportunity to work with people from the other side of the world, who are deeply involved and interested in photovoltaics just like us.

Did you work in a multicultural team? Who were the other participants in the academy?
Yes, there were foreigners from Zambia and Lesotho. Two of them were university professors who want to teach photovoltaics in Zambia. Then there were three entrepreneurs who are actually working with photovoltaics in their countries and cooperate with ČEZ regarding the photovoltaic school. The school is expected to produce energy for its own operations.

Will you be part of the team that helps launch the school in Africa?
No, none of us will be, because this was not a selection process, but an opportunity to gain experience. If someone wanted to participate in launching the school, they would have to go through training to be selected for that work.

Will your experience at the academy help you in further studies?
I can’t say yet. In some subjects, it might be useful. While we don’t have the opportunity to try this in practice during our classes, at the academy I saw how it actually works. There was an international student here doing a PhD on photovoltaics, and he said it helped him in preparing his dissertation. In any case, this experience can help me in the future.

Would you recommend the academy to other students?
Of course, yes. But they must be interested in this field, and it also depends on their level of English. However, there was also a student whose English was not so good, but over time he improved a lot once he became more familiar with the environment and colleagues.