History

We want to follow the heritage of Tomas Bata:
to educate young people for a real life

We are proud of the fact that our University bears the name of Zlín's native and great world-known personality - Mr. Tomas Bata. The choice of the university name was not made by chance. It expresses not only our admiration for this great man and business genius, but also our resolution: we want to follow his heritage and according to his example, to serve the life. We want to follow this heritage, educate young people in this spirit, and influence the public.

Tomas Bata dedicated his life to serving mankind. We would like our University - the University of Tomas Bata in Zlín - to carry on in his work. He was the one who believed that if someone wants to create great work, he must create a great human first, because, as he said, a factory is just a pile of bricks and iron. It is the people who breathe life into it. He knew that only great men could create great work. He was creating a new kind of human by realising his business philosophy. He was creating the co-businessman, the co-creator of his life.

He had his own educational system for young people. He prepared his people for the real life goals. He educated for a purpose: by acting, by working and by teaching the theory. The young men knew, why and for what reason he was being educated, and he was able to apply his new knowledge in practice immediately. His work lessons prepared young men and women for real life.

We would like our University to deserve bearing the name of Tomas Bata by contributing to the human evolution and improvement of human life. We would like our graduates to identify with Bata's ethical principles, his diligence, creativity, self-discipline and his international spirit. We would like to educate students, who will find their place in the present world and who will defend and develop the highest human values. And, who will also serve life, and contribute to its everlasting improvement. What can be better than to support the development of humankind, through education in the field of intellect, creativity and morality.

We would like to systematically familiarize the academic community and the general public with the work of Tomas Bata. This is why we decided to publish the works of Tomas Bata's heritage. We began the series appropriately with his basic thoughts in the book "Úvahy a projevy" ("Reflections and Speeches"). We are publishing this book with the hope that it will influence as many readers as possible.

Prof. Ing. Petr Sáha, CSc.
TBU Rector

(Foreword from the book BAŤA T. Úvahy a projevy. Zlín: Tomas Bata University in Zlín, 2002, page 94.)