How can vocational education keep pace with the technologies shaping today’s industry? This question is no longer being addressed only by schools in the Czech Republic, but by experts around the world. That is why Lenka Hájková, a member of the EduBox Robotics team at the Moravian-Silesian Technological Academy, took part in the prestigious ICETOL 2026 international conference, held in Bremen, Germany, from 17 to 20 August.
Each year, the conference brings together experts from education, research, and industry to discuss new approaches to technical and vocational education and training (VET). This year’s programme also featured the EduBox concept and the Moravian-Silesian Technological Academy’s approach to modernising vocational education.
Bringing Modern Technologies into Every School
During her presentation, Lenka Hájková introduced a model developed in the Moravian-Silesian Region to address one of the greatest challenges facing vocational education today: how to provide schools with access to modern technologies without requiring them to invest millions in expensive equipment.
The solution is the EduBox concept, which combines open-access digital learning materials with a shared loan system for industry-standard teaching equipment. This approach enables schools to work with the same technologies that students will encounter in real industrial practice.
As an example, the presentation highlighted the EduBox for Mobile and Service Robotics, built around the Festo Robotino platform.
Early Results Confirm the Right Direction
The presentation also introduced the first results of a pilot implementation carried out at vocational secondary schools across the Moravian-Silesian Region.
The findings showed that introducing industry-grade robots into classrooms significantly increased students’ motivation and active participation. Teachers also reported that the standardised EduBox learning materials simplified lesson preparation and enabled them to introduce modern topics into their teaching more efficiently.
At the same time, the pilot identified several areas for further development, particularly the need for more extensive hands-on teacher training and longer equipment loan periods to help schools integrate new technologies more effectively into their curricula.
Czech Innovation in an International Context
Participation in ICETOL 2026 provided an excellent opportunity to present the Czech approach to innovation in vocational education to an international audience while gaining valuable insights into the latest global trends.
The Moravian-Silesian Technological Academy believes that modern vocational education is built on strong collaboration between schools, industry, and innovative teaching methods. Sharing experience at international conferences like ICETOL helps further develop this approach and brings new opportunities to both teachers and students.
Participation in ICETOL 2026 was therefore more than just a project presentation—it demonstrated that innovative solutions developed in the Moravian-Silesian Region have the potential to inspire vocational education far beyond the borders of the Czech Republic.
