News / Strikes on the Gong Mark the Start of CEPIS Construction

Strikes on the Gong Mark the Start of CEPIS Construction

Lenka Přečková
09.04.2026

On Wednesday, 8 April 2026, construction of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Professional and International Studies (CEPIS) was ceremonially launched at the School of Business Administration in Karviná. The symbolic highlight of the event was a series of strikes on a gong, marking both the beginning of construction and the next phase of the project.

The ceremonial launch brought together representatives of Silesian University, the Moravian-Silesian Region, the statutory city of Karviná, ministries, faculty partners, representatives of secondary schools and the construction contractor, thus symbolically opening the implementation phase of the project. The ceremony was attended by Tomáš Gongol, Rector of Silesian University, Roman Šperka, Dean of the School of Business Administration in Karviná, Josef Bělica, Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Lukáš Raszyk, Deputy Mayor of Karviná, Pasi Olavi Tuominen, Ambassador of Finland to the Czech Republic, Renáta Leistner Kratochvílová, Director of the Department for Support of the Transformation to a Low-Carbon Economy at the Ministry of the Environment, Tomáš Barták, representative of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and Radek Mrázek, Chief Executive Officer of BAK stavební společnost.

Instead of the traditional tapping of a foundation stone, the ceremony featured strikes on a gong. The gong refers to the Innovative Entrepreneurship study programme inspired by the Finnish Team Academy concept, where striking the gong symbolically accompanies important milestones and achievements. At the launch itself, each strike carried its own meaning and, taken together, expressed the idea that the success of such a major project depends on cooperation between the University, public institutions and other partners.

CEPIS is the largest strategic investment in the history of Silesian University and, at the same time, its first newly built university facility in 35 years. Preparations for the project began in 2019, and in 2021 CEPIS was included among the strategic projects of the Moravian-Silesian Region. The new facilities will primarily support the development of the Innovative Entrepreneurship, Digital Business and Economics and Management study programmes.

Following the ceremonial launch, construction will continue according to schedule. In mid-April 2026, excavation work for the foundations of the main building and boreholes for heat pumps will begin. The shell structure is expected to be completed in January 2027. This will be followed by the installation of internal technologies and building systems. Completion of the building, including landscaping and outdoor works, is planned for the end of 2027, with teaching in the new building expected to begin after final approval in the first quarter of 2028.

The new building will be constructed in the immediate vicinity of the faculty’s current premises at Univerzitní náměstí in Karviná and will provide modern teaching spaces, project rooms, and facilities for student companies and international cooperation. For Karviná and the wider region, the project strengthens educational infrastructure and creates new opportunities for young people. At the ceremonial launch, Josef Bělica, Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region, noted that modern education and support for entrepreneurship are essential if young people are to stay in the region, establish their businesses there and find quality career opportunities.

cepis.slu.cz