30th Anniversary Meeting of IRAFM

The Institute for Research and Applications of Fuzzy Modeling (IRAFM) at the University of Ostrava celebrated an important milestone – the 30th anniversary of its foundation. The anniversary was commemorated during an off-site institute meeting held at the Lorkova Vila mountain hotel in Čeladná. The event combined an academic programme with meetings with distinguished guests from academia and industry, as well as a celebration of a personal milestone of one of IRAFM′s key figures

An important part of the event was the celebration of Professor Vilém Novák, one of the founders of IRAFM and its first and long-serving Director, on the occasion of his milestone birthday. Professor Novák played a fundamental role in the establishment and development of the Institute and has had a profound influence on its research direction and its standing in the field of fuzzy modeling both in the Czech Republic and internationally.

The anniversary gathering was attended by a number of distinguished guests from academia and industry, including the Rector of the University of Ostrava, Associate Professor Petr Kopecký. Guests also included representatives of IRAFM′s partner companies NAM system, MEPAC CZ, 24 VISION and BR Group, as well as the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre Ostrava. Representatives of collaborating academic and research institutions were also present, including VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, Palacký University Olomouc, and the Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Their participation highlighted the fact that IRAFM′s thirty-year history has been shaped not only by fundamental research, but also by long-term cooperation with academic institutions, companies and other partners, as well as by the transfer of research results into practice.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary, the Director of IRAFM, Associate Professor Michal Holčapek, presented awards to current and former members of IRAFM who have made exceptional contributions to the Institute′s development. The awards recognised long-term contributions to building the Institute, outstanding achievements in research and publication activities, the development of cooperation and practical applications, as well as the contribution of the younger generation of researchers. The anniversary therefore provided an opportunity not only to reflect on the Institute′s history, but also to thank those whose work has shaped it and continues to contribute to its development.

The following awards and acknowledgements were presented:

IRAFM Young Scientist Award:

Mgr. Thi Hong Nhung Cao, Ph.D.

Mgr. Karel Fiala, Ph.D.

Mgr. Petr Hyner

Award for Contribution to the Development of Knowledge and Technology Transfer at IRAFM:

Ing. Michal Burda, Ph.D.

doc. Mgr. Petr Hurtík, Ph.D.

RNDr. Marek Vajgl, Ph.D.

Award for Contribution to the Development of IRAFM, in Recognition of an Outstanding Role in the Foundation and Development of the Institute:

prof. RNDr. Radim Bělohlávek, DSc.

doc. Ing. Antonín Dvořák, Ph.D.

prof. RNDr. Jiří Močkoř, DrSc.

prof. Ing. Vilém Novák, DrSc.

Award for Contribution to the Development of IRAFM, in Recognition of Long-Term Efforts in Developing the Institute and in Obtaining and Implementing Research Projects:

doc. RNDr. Martin Štěpnička, Ph.D.

Award for Outstanding Contribution to IRAFM′s Publication Activities:

prof. RNDr. Radko Mesiar, DrSc.

prof. Piotr Oprocha, Ph.D.

prof. Irina Perfiljeva, CSc., dr. h. c., prof. h. c.