Ondra Brhlík comes from the small town of Brodek u Přerova, from where he commuted to the Secondary Technical School of Mechanical Engineering in Olomouc. During his secondary school years, he began to lean more towards physics and took part in various competitions, summer schools, and programmes for students. It was during one of these—a visit to the VR-1 faculty reactor during "Science Week at Jaderka"—that it became clear he would eventually pursue an engineering degree here. He is now continuing those studies, following his Bachelor’s degree, on a follow-up Master’s programme specialising in Nuclear Reactors. As part of his professional focus, Ondra has taken the path of computational simulations of serious nuclear power station accidents under the auspices of ÚJV Řež.
- Why did you enrol at Jaderka?
When I was considering where to go to university, Jaderka was my first choice. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to do Nuclear Engineering because, after visiting the VR-1 faculty reactor and the Temelín nuclear power station, I knew I’d regret it if I didn't at least try to study "the nucleus." At the same time, the programme offered a way to connect different fields, from physics and maths to mechanical engineering. So, I overcame my initial worries about the difficulty of the course and sent in my application.
- Would you recommend Jaderka? And who do you think it is not for?
Jaderka has been (and still is) a real challenge. But by the end, you become an expert in a sought-after field, understand many fascinating things, and gain like-minded friends. Plus, unlike at some other universities or faculties, I’m not just an anonymous face in the crowd or a "number" in the system to the lecturers.
I wouldn’t recommend Jaderka to those who aren't prepared to sacrifice enough time for their studies or those who are only there "just for the qualification." If you enjoy your studies, even despite some of the less popular parts or subjects, I believe you have a real chance of finishing.
- What do you like about the faculty specifically, and what is student life like at FNSPE?
The single biggest benefit of Jaderka is the community. You have a lot of fun with your classmates, but you also spend a lot of time studying together. The student and sporting activities are really diverse—from my experience, I can definitely recommend the faculty team Jaderný odpad (Nuclear Waste). On the pitch, we tend to put on an absolute circus rather than a serious athletic performance, but we always have fun (as do the countless fans at the Strahov derby ), and we make sure to properly celebrate every sporting—or non-sporting—experience!
- Do you take part in any activities outside of Jaderka?
Absolutely! Besides the classic pub sessions, playing the guitar, and trips around the Czech Republic, I head to the mountains with friends or just wander through various European landscapes. I’m also a counsellor at a children’s camp where, besides the summer camp itself, we organise other events throughout the year. When you add in the usual work at home or at the family cabin and a part-time job at ÚJV Řež, I’m living proof that you can have a very active student life even at Jaderka (at least after your Bachelor’s!).