LECTURE AS A STORY WITH A PLOT, DENOUEMENT AND LESSON

The Werner von Siemens Award in the category of Best Educator was awarded to Jiří Jaroš from the Faculty of Information Technology at Brno University of Technology.

Associate Professor Jiří Jaroš was nominated for the Werner von Siemens Award for his extraordinary contribution to science, education, innovation, and the development of Brno University of Technology. He is a recognized expert in the field of supercomputing technologies, with a career encompassing top-tier research, excellent teaching, and an active role in academic leadership. He is a co-founder of the k-Wave project, which has become a global standard in medical ultrasound modeling for both academia and industry over the past fifteen years. This software currently has more than 25,000 users and supports the advancement of personalized medicine. However, Jiří Jaroš is also, and perhaps foremost, an innovative educator who continuously enriches his courses with the latest research findings and practical knowledge. He is not afraid to introduce new teaching methods and motivates his students by involving them in international projects. He was the one who made national supercomputers accessible to all faculty students, allowing them to work with cutting-edge technology.

A lecture as a theatrical performance

When asked what sets him apart as an educator from his colleagues, Jiří Jaroš replies: "Since childhood, I've been a bit of a showman, an extrovert who always needed to be the center of attention. Naturally, this has influenced my approach to teaching. I strive to make my lectures not just lectures but more like small theatrical performances. But, of course, preparation is key. I carefully rehearse each lecture, review video recordings from previous years, incorporate the latest findings, and fine-tune details to ensure everything fits together smoothly. Essentially, I construct a story – with an introduction, a conflict, a resolution, and a lesson learned. I intersperse theory with real-life anecdotes, including all the scientific mishaps I've had the honor to witness."

Teaching as a lifelong passion

It has become a cliché that every generation laments the declining quality of students and reminisces about the "good old days." Is there anything he appreciates about today's generation? "I appreciate that there is still a group of passionate students who do things with enthusiasm and achieve amazing results. Sometimes, we manage to create a project that goes far beyond 'ordinary student work,' and I then excitedly present it at a scientific forum. On the other hand, it's hard to ignore the growing passivity and superficiality. Half of the students don’t attend lectures, have little interest in faculty affairs, and do the bare minimum. This is in direct contrast to my philosophy – to do things properly. That’s why I constantly seek ways to bring them back into lecture halls and labs," says Jaroš.

"When I stand in front of a full auditorium and see that students are engaged, I feel a bit like a rock star. Except instead of a bass guitar, I have a pointer, and instead of a stage, I have a lectern. I love that moment when students start connecting the dots and have that 'aha!' moment. Plus, I teach topics I was passionate about even in high school – hardware, supercomputers, parallel computing – and passing on that enthusiasm is simply amazing. For me, teaching is not just a job, but a lifelong passion," the educator emphasizes.

I know my work has meaning

Has he ever considered quitting teaching? The Best Educator of 2024 smiles and says it happens every Monday morning when he rushes to an 8:00 AM lecture with the weekend concert still echoing in his head. But seriously – sometimes fatigue, burnout, or a sense of futility creeps in, especially when grading second and third attempts at final exams. Those are the moments when he asks himself, "Why do I even do this?" Fortunately, these feelings are always outweighed by something positive. For instance, when a former student stops him on the street or when he attends the student conference Excel@FIT, showcasing the best student projects at the faculty. "In those moments, I know that my work has meaning," concludes Jiří Jaroš.

Read also: Werner von Siemens Awards 2024: Brno University of Technology Celebrates Success with Five Awardees

Author: Werner von Siemens Award

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