Develop Yourself. Transform FIR. FIR Talent Management Has Launched Its First Year

What happens when a faculty offers motivated students the space to grow, take the initiative, and turn their own ideas into real change? This is exactly the idea behind FIR Talent Management, whose first year officially launched at the beginning of October.

This is not just another extra-curricular activity. It is a platform where student ambitions, teacher experience, and the faculty’s future meet. FIR Talent Management connects personal development with real impact.

It creates space for more individualized work with students while opening up a new form of cooperation among students, academics, faculty management, alumni, and industry professionals. It is designed for students who want to discover and develop their talents, learn through experience, and leave a meaningful mark on FIR.

Chapter One: A Shared Table

The introductory meeting started where the most important relationships in international business are often formed: at a shared table. The opening dinner, inspired by the principles of Chinese Business Dining Etiquette, welcomed the first generation of participants and connected students with the teachers involved in the program.

The evening was not just a social kickoff; it became the program’s first developmental experience. Doc. Ing. Jitka Volfová, Ph.D., and doc. Ing. Peter Vittek, Ph.D., introduced the topic of Chinese business culture and demonstrated the crucial role that cultural context, etiquette, seating arrangements, and the ability to build trust can play in establishing cooperation. Networking, teambuilding, and intercultural learning naturally merged in an activity reflecting the international character of FIR.

From Idea to Impact

The next day, the energy shifted from getting to know each other to creating together. The workshop was personally opened by the Dean of FIR, doc. Ing. Martina Jiránková, Ph.D., who welcomed the participants and supported their desire to dedicate their own ideas and time to the faculty’s development. The Vice-Dean for Education, Ing. Ondřej Sankot, Ph.D., represents a significant organizational pillar and one of the driving forces of the program.

Petr Moravec, CEO and founder of ProjectYou, guided the students through the first working block. He brings his extensive experience in leadership, innovation, and team development to the FIR Talent Management program. His know-how will be reflected not only in the introductory workshop but also in other activities throughout the semester, aimed at supporting students in turning their ideas into concrete projects. In the future, colleague Mgr. Kateřina Chvátalová, Ph.D., will focus on the topic of innovation.

The afternoon was dedicated to finding a common direction. Under the guidance of doc. Ing. Peter Vittek, Ph.D., and doc. Ing. Jitka Volfová, Ph.D., the students built on the morning’s work, discussed selected topics, and shaped the first outlines of the projects they will develop throughout the academic year. At the same time, they were introduced to the philosophy of the FIR Talent Management program, which integrates mentoring, coaching, and project work into a single developmental ecosystem.

The discussion highlighted the differences between mentoring and coaching and how they can complement each other in supporting personal and professional development. The result is two sub-teams and two topics that stem directly from the life of the faculty: the intercultural connection between Czech and international students, and intergenerational connection, including ties to the University of the Third Age.

Students Are Not the Audience. They Are Co-Authors.

This is one of the key ambitions of FIR Talent Management. Participants don’t just gain knowledge and support; they translate them into projects that can change the faculty environment, strengthen relationships within its community, and open up new opportunities for other students.

Development That Works Both Ways

The program is built on the belief that real learning is not a one-way street. The students develop, but so do the teachers. Joint work connects colleagues across departments, creating a space for sharing experiences, further education, and adopting new methods. Moreover, the Train the Trainer model allows for transferring know-how from the workshops to future years of the program as well as to standard teaching at FIR. During the academic year, participants can expect a well-thought-out combination of Gallup CliftonStrengths coaching, practical workshops, project work, and mentoring from alumni. Experts from across the faculty are involved in the program:

A Community That Doesn’t End With Graduation

FIR Talent Management aims beyond a single academic year. Its long-term ambition is to strengthen students’ relationship with the faculty and build a community of alumni who return to FIR, pass on their experience, and help open doors for the next generation. The program thus connects the faculty’s present with its future: it develops people, relationships, and ideas whose impact can last long after the individual workshops are over.

The first two days of October were just the beginning. They showed that when student motivation, teacher openness, management support, and the experience of industry professionals come together, it creates more than just a development program. It creates a community capable of transforming FIR from within.

How the Students Saw the First Workshop

Students wrote the following about their first joint workshop:

Natálie Kepková: “We started the morning with a large turnout of teachers, and even the Dean. We briefly introduced ourselves and our projects, followed by a short practical workshop on innovation, which included both theory and a real-world simulation aimed at supporting critical thinking. In the afternoon, we selected the final projects we will be working on for the rest of the academic year, split into teams, and divided tasks for the next meeting. The atmosphere was very friendly, we can really feel the support from the teachers, and we are all looking forward to the next meeting!”

Davyd Karpenko: “The goal of Friday’s meeting was to exchange specific ideas and opinions on improving the faculty’s operations, student life, and other areas. Great networking took place during the breaks, we shared interesting stories and really enjoyed the whole afternoon. This was followed by the most important part of our meeting, where we had the opportunity to ‘defend’ our ideas in front of the others and finally choose the top 3. However, the word ‘top’ isn’t entirely accurate – all the ideas were excellent, the remaining ones are just not as easily implementable, or their impact might be slightly smaller. After the lunch break, we started working in teams, determined our next direction, and the first results will be visible very soon!“