VET Bridge 2025 will bring together the best in vocational education with confirmed speakers from across Europe on 22-23 October in Ostrava

Ostrava – On 22-23 October 2025, the international conference VET Bridge 2025, organised by the Moravian-Silesian Academy of Technology in cooperation with the Moravian-Silesian Region, will take place at the Poklad Cultural House and the VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava. The event will bring together experts, schools, companies and public administration from the Czech Republic and abroad to share inspiring examples, innovations and models of cooperation in education.

Distinctive speakers, specific topics, direct inspiration

Several distinguished speakers have already been confirmed for the programme, whose presentations will open up new perspectives on education:

Jon Labaka Intxauspe – from 2024, he is Deputy Minister for Vocational Training in the Basque Country Government. Prior to that, he was Executive Director of Tknika, the Basque Centre for Applied Research in VET, known for innovation and research in education.
Adriana Hodak (Slovenia) – Slovenian VET Ambassador and Director of the project centre Šolski Center Nova Gorica, leading projects connecting schools with practical learning environments.
Tatjana Babrauskiene (Lithuania) – European Commission expert on vocational education, whose international projects bring proven models and approaches that can be used in the Czech Republic.
Marek Pagáč – Vice-rector of VŠB-TUO for cooperation and foreign relations, specializing in additive manufacturing and engineering. He is an example of linking research, technology and teaching in secondary schools, author of many publications, patents and projects.
Petr Zahradník – Renowned economist and expert on European economic policies. Member of the National Economic Council of the Government (NERV)

Why VET Bridge 2025 is a media opportunity

VET Bridge is not just a professional conference – it is a platform for systemic change in vocational education. Journalists have a great opportunity:

Obtain information, documents and quotes from key personalities in the Czech Republic and abroad
Report on specific innovative projects (e.g. EduBox) and their impact
To draw the attention of the public and the professional community to where modern education is heading

Programme for Day 1 (22 October) – specific blocks

Opening and introductory speech – Jan Meca (CEO of MTA), RNDr. Jan Veřmiřovský, Deputy Governor for Education and Sport
Lecture Jan Meca – the story of the MTA
Jon Labaka Intxauspe – The story of the Tknika Innovation Centre
Other contributions by Adriana Hodak, Tatjana Babrauskiene
Panel discussion with representatives of KSSE, MSIC, BeePartner and others

Second day (23 October) – trade fair and practical demonstration

The programme of the second day will be in the form of a trade fair, where school teams will present EduBoxes – specific learning models that integrate technology, didactics and practical experience. There will be displays of good practice examples, networking and excursions to selected vocational schools in the region.