Strengthening International Research Collaboration through FOSSTER

In May, the Faculty of Business and Management at Brno University of Technology hosted the FOSSTER Meeting 2026, bringing together academics, researchers, and PhD students from partner universities across Europe.

FOSSTER is an international network of business and management schools operating within technical universities. It aims to strengthen cooperation in research, doctoral education, and academic development while creating opportunities for collaboration among institutions that combine technological excellence with expertise in economics, management, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

For our faculty, participation in FOSSTER represents much more than an international meeting. It provides valuable opportunities to:
✔ strengthen international research cooperation,
✔ develop new project ideas and funding opportunities,
✔ support the internationalisation of doctoral education,
✔ create networking opportunities for PhD students and early-career researchers,
✔ share good practices in research management and academic development.

Over two inspiring days, participants discussed future collaboration opportunities, research impact, doctoral education, and international academic cooperation. A highlight of the programme were workshops led by Tom Boogerd (University of Twente), focusing on research impact, academic careers, and the changing landscape of higher education.

We were pleased to welcome colleagues from:

  • University of Twente
  • RWTH Aachen University
  • VILNIUS TECH
  • National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest
  • Politecnico di Milano
  • FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences
  • Brno University of Technology

The meeting once again confirmed that successful international cooperation is built not only on expertise, but also on openness, trust, and a willingness to work together.

We are particularly pleased that the programme also created space for PhD students to present their research, exchange ideas, and establish new international contacts. Even though the PhD group was smaller than originally expected, the discussions demonstrated the strong potential for future cooperation and joint research activities.

Thank you to all participants for contributing to the inspiring atmosphere and valuable discussions. We look forward to the collaborations, projects, and new opportunities that will grow from the connections established in Brno.