A lecture by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, a discussion with social entrepreneurship scholar Alona Revko, programmes for secondary schools and workshops with local businesses: NEWTON University shares expertise through public events, school outreach and community partnerships. This overview of activities in 2024 to 2026 covers events at the university and beyond campus, explaining who took part and what participants learnt.

Amy Edmondson explored psychological safety

On 12 March 2024, Amy C. Edmondson of Harvard Business School spoke at NEWTON University. Her lecture and the panel discussion that followed explored why learning and collaboration depend on an environment in which people can ask questions, raise concerns and acknowledge mistakes. Kateřina Çakin and Tomáš Studeník joined the panel. The university also shared insights from the lecture with those unable to attend in person through an interview with Amy Edmondson on productive failure.

November 2024 gave young people practical experience of developing a startup

On 1 and 2 November 2024, NEWTON University in Prague hosted Econverse V4, an international entrepreneurship event. Participants worked with mentors to develop business models and pitch decks before presenting their ideas to a panel of experts. The experience involved teamwork, problem solving and presenting a convincing business proposition (NEWTON Today; Rafał Brzoska Foundation).

The initiative was run by the Econverse Foundation. NEWTON provided the setting for the Prague event within a programme connecting young people across the Visegrad countries. Participants could explore entrepreneurship before entering professional life and receive feedback from experienced practitioners.

NEW Gen Academy reached secondary school students in Brno in December

On 3 December 2024, NEW Gen Academy took place in the Mach Building on Technická Street in Brno. The day programme introduced secondary school students to business and marketing through the experiences of young practitioners. The venue was in the Technology Park, while NEWTON’s Brno campus was then on Rašínova Street. The university moved to the Mach Building for the 2025/2026 academic year (NEWTON University; NEWTON Today).

The Prague event introduced another generation to entrepreneurship in March

On 12 March 2025, NEW Gen Academy continued in the Chamber Hall of the Prague Congress Centre, the building that also houses NEWTON University. The programme again addressed secondary school pupils, offering inspiration for their further education and careers. Both events extended NEWTON’s educational activities to young people who were not yet its university students (NEWTON University, NEWTON Today)y).

Pop Up Market connected emerging businesses with visitors

Also on 12 March 2025, the NEWTON Business Accelerator organised Pop Up Market in Prague. Students and graduates showcased their products and services, made contacts and gained experience of selling directly to customers. Visitors could meet the people behind the businesses and discuss their products (NEWTON University).

The educational value of this format lies in immediate feedback. Exhibitors can discover how customers understand their product and pricing and what influences purchasing decisions. The event connects the development of entrepreneurial skills with direct contact between new businesses and the wider community. Photographs from the 2025 event remain available on its website (NEWTON University).

April training in Tirana shared expertise in education

On 23 and 24 April 2025, two NEWTON University trainers delivered a workshop at the European University of Tirana, Albania. The event formed part of EduSDG, a project bringing together institutions from Czechia, Poland, Kosovo and Albania. The first day explored gender equality; the second focused on the quality and accessibility of education (European University of Tirana).

Participants compared the situation in partner countries, women’s involvement in decision making, and the organisation and funding of education systems. NEWTON contributed training for an academic community beyond its own campus. Its published project team includes Jiří Peřina, Petra Přibilová and Dagmar Palatová (European University of Tirana; NEWTON University).