NEWTON International Week 2025: A global exchange of ideas and innovation

NEWTON International Week, an integral part of the NEWTON Research & Innovation Year, marked a significant milestone in the university’s global outreach. The week showcased academic excellence, international collaboration, and innovative educational practices, bringing together scholars, professionals, and students from around the world. It featured a series of impactful events such as the Erasmus Staff Week, European Forum of Entrepreneurship, and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), all fostering meaningful exchanges and inspiring dialogue among a diverse international community.

Erasmus Staff Week

The Erasmus Staff Week provided academics and professionals with an opportunity to engage in thematic workshops led by industry experts, focusing on enhancing skills in education. Beyond gaining valuable insights, attendees experienced vibrant social programmes, and explored Prague’s rich cultural heritage.

Workshop: How EU Business Schools Navigate ESG Challenges

Led by Eng. Emil Velinov, PhD, this session explored how universities are addressing the growing significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. Participants learned about best practices for integrating ESG into education, preparing students for a future in which sustainability is paramount.

Workshop: Leadership

Facilitated by Anna Plechatá Krausová, Dphil. and Mgr. Jan Orava, this workshop focused on leadership development, highlighting key areas such as emotional intelligence, decision-making, and team management. As part of the session, we also introduced X-tream Management, one of our Blended Intensive Programmes. This dynamic, hands-on training challenges participants to develop their leadership and crisis management skills through high-intensity simulations. Designed for aspiring leaders, the programme pushes individuals to think strategically, perform under pressure, and collaborate effectively in fast-paced environments.

Workshop: Psychological Safety For Future Leaders

Facilitated by PhDr. Mgr. Barbora Pánková, Ph.D., MBA and Mgr. Barbora Bělová, this workshop examined how to foster psychologically safe environments where ideas can flourish. It provided participants with practical knowledge on how to cultivate an atmosphere in which individuals feel confident to express themselves freely, an essential component for innovation and effective teamwork.

Workshop: Artificial Intelligence

Presented by PhDr. Ing. Vladimír Borský, MBA, LL.M., this session focused on the transformative potential of AI. Attendees gained practical insights into how AI is revolutionising educational systems. The discussion also explored various perspectives on AI’s growth, offering deeper insights into its evolving impact.

Erasmus Info Day

As a part of Staff Week, academics and professors had the opportunity to meet with our students to present valuable insights into Erasmus opportunities and foster connections between our students and universities across Europe.

Project Research Workshop

On the final day of Staff Week, Mgr. Jan Orava and Tereza Šimčíková led an interactive workshop, where partners were divided into teams to explore and discuss potential collaborations between their respective universities.

Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs)

The Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), another highlight of the week, featured two Winter Schools: one focusing on Psychological Safety for Future Leaders led by Václava Kloudová Jiřičková, and the other on Cross-Cultural Management led by  Eng. Emil Velinov, PhD. These programmes embraced a blended learning approach, combining online and face-to-face interaction, and were designed to equip students with practical skills that are crucial for success in today’s interconnected world.

Chancellor Anna shared her thoughts on these initiatives, emphasising NEWTON University’s commitment to fostering future leaders: "The Winter Schools align with our vision of building an international ecosystem of practical education, guiding our students towards personal mastery and global success."

European Forum of Entrepreneurship (EFP)

The European Forum of Entrepreneurship, a cornerstone of NEWTON International Week, took center stage under the theme “Smart Education, Smart Business, and Smart Life.” This prestigious forum provided a platform for 34 distinguished speakers from renowned global institutions, including experts from the UK, Slovakia, Croatia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania, Taiwan, and the USA.

The discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics, including smart education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, geothermal innovation, renewable energy, and mobility. Across all sessions, the underlying message was clear: while technology plays a crucial role in shaping a smarter world, human creativity and intellect are the true driving forces behind technological advancement. This theme was echoed throughout the event, reinforcing our commitment to integrating these insights into our educational practices at NEWTON University. Our goal is to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and shape the evolving technology-driven landscape of business.

The Internationalisation Round Table was a central highlight of the forum, featuring esteemed experts from leading international institutions. The discussion brought together:

• Anna Plechatá Krausová, Chancellor of NEWTON University (Czechia)
• Prof. Mgr. Dagmar Cagáňová, PhD., Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation at NEWTON University (Czechia)
• Prof. Steve O. Michael, Chancellor of Danubius International University of Galati (Romania)
• Assoc. Prof. Andy Pusca, MSc, PhD, President of Danubius International University of Galati (Romania)
• Prof. Ing. Jozef Ristvej, PhD., Vice-Chancellor for International Relations and Marketing at Žilinská University (Slovakia)
• Dilbar Gimranova, BSc, MBA, MPhil, Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Narxoz University (Kazakhstan)
• Dr. John Christopher Walsh, Dean of British International College, KRIRK University (Thailand)
• Ing. Marian Kováč, PhD., univ. doc., Vice-Chancellor for Foreign Affairs at University of Economics and Management (Slovakia)

The conversation centered on fostering international collaboration, strengthening academic partnerships, encouraging student mobility, and cultivating a multicultural academic environment. The round table provided valuable insights into how universities can continue to thrive globally by embracing innovation, internationalisation, and cooperation.

Chancellor’s reflections and future prospects

Reflecting on the week’s success, Chancellor Anna expressed her enthusiasm about the exchange of ideas and the vibrant discussions that took place: "It was inspiring to see our campus come alive with voices from around the world. We look forward to continuing these exchanges, particularly at the Smart City Summit 2025 in Taipei, hosted by Yuan Ze University."

Her remarks underscored NEWTON University’s unwavering commitment to global collaboration, fostering an environment where knowledge-sharing and innovative thinking can thrive. This week has reinforced our role in shaping future leaders and contributing to the advancement of global academic and research excellence.

In conclusion, NEWTON International Week 2025 has been an undeniable success, creating opportunities for meaningful connections, idea exchanges, and forward-thinking discussions that will shape the future of education and business. The events demonstrated our ongoing commitment to providing students, staff, and partners with opportunities for growth, collaboration, and international exposure. With the relationships built and insights gained throughout the week, NEWTON University is well-positioned to continue its journey as a leader in international education, making a lasting impact on academia and industry.