UK opened a new teaching pavilion for mathematics and computer science

Prague – The new pavilion in Prague-Troja was opened by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University (UK). It will serve students of mathematics, computer science, and researchers from these fields. The building, called IMPAKT, has an auditorium for 250 people, lecture halls, and a library. The project was initiated by the school in 2011, costing approximately 325 million crowns, of which the school contributed 50 million, and the rest was covered by contributions from the Ministry of Education. The pavilion was ceremoniously opened today by representatives from the university, the ministry, and the project creators.

In the Troja school complex, there will primarily be scientists and students who do not have enough space and suitable conditions in the historic building at Malostranské náměstí. For example, a large robotics laboratory is being created in IMPAKT, which, according to the vice-dean for the computer science section Jiří Sgall, had previously "struggled" in Malá Strana. Sgall stated that graphic designers will also move to the new building, who wanted a dark laboratory for studying colors. Troja will also have a didactic laboratory for computer scientists as well as theoretical and software departments.

While the upper floor will mainly serve researchers and experiments, IMPAKT will provide ten classrooms for students next to the library, including four computer classrooms. According to Sgall, mathematics and computer science lectures for first-year students, which the school had to previously split, will take place in the spacious auditorium. Vice-dean for development Ladislav Skrbek noted that the auditorium is soundproofed, so nearby traffic will not disturb the listeners. Teaching is set to begin in the building at the start of the winter semester.

Architect Jan Jaroš Jr., who collaborated on the project with his father, said today that the appearance of the building has something in common with the mathematics that will be taught in it. Some parts of the structure refer to other buildings in the Troja school complex. He added that IMPAKT is clad in a material that changes its appearance based on the weather and lighting conditions.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics is one of the 17 faculties of Charles University. According to statistics from the Ministry of Education, it had approximately 2,260 students as of January this year. Its main headquarters is located at Ke Karlovu Street in Prague 2. In addition to the building at Malostranské náměstí, it utilizes a building on Sokolovská Street in Prague 8.