The construction of a new, modern Technology Pavilion building is a necessary step to replace the outdated and spatially and technically inadequate infrastructure from the 1970s. The existing building is at the end of its service life and does not meet the requirements for the current level of teaching or hygiene and technical standards. The new pavilion will serve as a central barrier-free facility that will bring together the previously fragmented teaching and technological spaces into a single functionally integrated unit on the premises of the Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice.
From an organizational point of view, the technological facilities of two key departments – the Department of Post-Harvest Technology of Horticultural Products and the Department of Viticulture and Oenology – will be merged and modernized. Both of these workplaces are the bearers and guarantors of the bachelor’s and master’s degree program in Horticultural Engineering, including its three specializations – Viticulture and Winemaking, Processing Technology and Food Quality, and Horticulture. These specializations form the backbone of the faculty’s educational offerings and are an important tool for maintaining and developing the horticultural field in the Czech Republic. The construction of the new pavilion will create a modern workplace equipped with advanced technologies that will enable students to acquire practical skills and professional competencies in the processing of fruit, vegetables, and grapes in accordance with current technical, hygienic, and environmental standards.
The pavilion will also include a large covered area for practical teaching in adverse weather conditions, which is currently completely lacking on campus. This space will be used for the reception and initial processing of raw materials, which will then enter the technological processing stages. These raw materials – mainly fruit, vegetables, and grapes – will be further processed for the production of food products and beverages, including wine. This will create a comprehensive teaching environment covering the entire process chain from the initial processing of raw materials to the production of final products, enabling students to acquire comprehensive knowledge and practical skills corresponding to the real conditions of food production.
The construction of the Technology Pavilion thus responds to the current needs of the Faculty of Horticulture at Mendel University in Brno, reflects the shortcomings of the existing infrastructure, and contributes to improving the quality of higher education in line with the requirements of the 21st century. The modern teaching environment will significantly increase the attractiveness of study programs, support the development of applied research, and strengthen cooperation with industry, including regional producers and food companies.