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The Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TFS) have entered into a new partnership within the Association of Industrial Partners (SPP FI MU). The leading manufacturer of electron microscopes and spectrometers is thus building on its long-term experience of cooperation with selected faculties of Czech universities. This expands the opportunities for FI MU students to undertake internships or write their final theses at the company.

The Association of Industrial Partners (SPP FI MU) connects the faculty with companies operating in the field of IT and technology. Its goal is to create long-term links between academia and industry, support student involvement in real-world projects, and enable companies to actively participate in the education of future experts. The SPP offers three levels of cooperation: SME Partner, Partner, and Strategic Partner. The SME Partner level, which Thermo Fisher Scientific is entering, represents the initial phase of cooperation focused on mutual understanding and exploring opportunities for future development. Partners can participate in faculty colloquiums and professional events, present to students at events such as SPP Day, list topics for final theses, or offer internships. The faculty expects that at least five successfully defended final theses related to the partner will be produced over two consecutive years. At higher levels of partnership, cooperation is further expanded to include, for example, coordinated projects, greater support for final theses, or involvement in research activities.

According to Martin Pátík, TFS Software Manager responsible for cooperation with FI MU, the motivation to join the SPP stems from positive experiences with our students: "We have an established and proven student internship program, which currently includes several students from the Faculty of Informatics at MU. Establishing direct cooperation with the faculty has therefore been in our interest for quite some time."

The company also wants to raise awareness among computer science students about its activities and technologies and introduce them to opportunities to participate in the development of software solutions created by the company.

Photo: TFS representatives at SPP Day (November 20, 2025)

Representatives of Thermo Fisher Scientific participated in SPP Day at FI MU for the first time this fall. During one of the sessions, they presented the company's key activities and engaged in direct dialogue with our students. "We were very surprised by the number of students who visited our stand and were interested in internship opportunities and our technologies," adds Pátík.  

"Thermo Fisher Scientific brings to SPP the perspective of a company that has long-term experience with student involvement and is now expanding its interest to the field of computer science. I appreciate their decision to become our partner and look forward to specific joint activities that will offer students insight into modern software development in this specific domain and testing," says Vlastislav Dohnal, Vice-Dean for External Relations and Partnerships at FI MU, welcoming the newcomer to SPP.  

Photo: Representatives of FI MU, Vice-Dean Vlastislav Dohnal and Dean Jiří Barnat, and Iris Kico from TFS (Ph.D. alumni at FI) visiting the TFS premises (September 3, 2025)

Entering into an SME partnership opens the door to systematic cooperation and opportunities for subsequent advancement to higher levels. Are you a company operating in the world of IT, technology, and innovation? Or are you looking for progressive solutions to improve your products and services? Are you able to involve students in your projects and support them in their further development? Would you like to participate in educating the next generation of IT experts? Join the Association of Industrial Partners of the Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University. All information can be found on the SPP website.

Author: Marta Vrlová, Office for External Relations and Partnerships, FI MU

Photo: FI MU and TFS archives