Together with the University of Trnava (TRUNI) they joined the project of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic to support the strategic development of university infrastructure. The two Trnava-based universities are planning to purchase and renovate buildings, as well as harmonise quality systems and develop joint study programmes.

They have received more than EUR 22 million from the call of the Ministry of Education. A total of 20 investment activities are planned within the strategic development of universities, of which UCM plans up to 14 investment activities.

"The approval of the project to support strategic development is a great milestone for our university, we have never received such a volume of funds for development. The project has a number of activities, within which we will, among others, harmonise the individual quality systems at both universities, create a system of support for science and research, 6 new joint study programmes, or connect support centres for students, staff and graduates. It will also include the harmonization of information and library systems and the construction of new and modern premises," said the Rector of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava prof. Katarína Slobodová Nováková, according to whom these activities will benefit not only the university and its students, but also the entire Trnava region. "Thanks to the modernised infrastructure, we will be able to create new opportunities for cooperation with the city, the municipality and other entities, thus linking the academic environment more intensively with the external environment," added the Rector of the UCM in Trnava.

Among the most significant investment activities of UCM is the purchase and reconstruction of the building on Hajdóczy Street. In addition, the University will purchase and renovate the former SPŠ Piešt'any, which will be used by students of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The third is the extension of the three-storey laboratory building of the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Špačince. UCM investment projects are planned to benefit all parts of the university and therefore all students and employees.

Among the most significant investment activities of TRUNI is the construction of an auditorium and a congress centre on the site of the former Sloboda cinema, which is located next to the Faculty of Law. The University will also purchase a building on Paulínská Street and modernise the buildings of the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Medicine.

"Most of the investment activities have already started at the level of project documentation processing or preparation and implementation of public procurement. Part of the activities will be implemented already this year. These are mainly minor construction works. The main construction activities will be implemented in 2025. In addition, it is planned to invest in software and to build the university's own internal information system for administration and management control," said Barbora Jančiová, the main project manager of the project.

The main project promoter is the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava. The involvement of the two Trnava universities in the call is part of the planned Consortium of Trnava Universities and their joint integration. All activities should be completed in 2026.

The project of the consortium of Trnava universities in brief:

the beginning of the project implementation: 2024
end of project implementation: 2026
Number of newly established joint study programmes: 6
Number of current elective courses that will be available to students of both universities: 25
Number of investment activities: 20
Number of people who will work directly on the project: 51