Obituary
prof. Ing. Jiří Witzany, DrSc., dr.h.c.
On 5.1.2026, Professor prof. Ing. Jiří Witzany , DrSc., dr.h.c passed away at the age of 84.
Professor Jiří Witzany was among the leading experts in the theory and design of building structures. As an author or co-author, he designed and experimentally as well as practically verified a number of new building systems and structures, such as industrially manufactured buildings made of steel spatial units, a prefabricated column system with slab floor construction, and many others. He also made a significant contribution to the development of the theory of designing prefabricated structures and the reconstruction of historic buildings. He proposed the basic variants for the restoration and repair of Charles Bridge and was involved in many other major projects.
In December 1989, he was elected the first post-revolution dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague. He held this position for three terms and implemented a number of fundamental changes in the organization of the faculty. He initiated the establishment of study programs in Environmental Engineering and in Economics and Management, and founded the program in Building Construction and Architecture.
In 1999 and again in 2002, the Academic Senate of the Czech Technical University elected Professor Witzany as Rector of the Czech Technical University. During his tenure, the number of students and doctoral candidates, including international students, increased significantly, and the university’s research activities were further strengthened. Among the outstanding results of his efforts were the establishment of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, and the commencement of construction of the new building for the Faculty of Architecture.
Professor Witzany served in a number of important academic institutions, including the Government Council for Research, Development and Innovation, and also as an advisor to the Prime Minister on science and research. In 1992, he founded the Association of European Civil Engineering Faculties (AECEF) and was repeatedly elected its president (for 25 years). This association brings together many European universities offering civil engineering education. He also founded and was actively involved in the activities of the November 17 Foundation, which financially supports students with outstanding academic results from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as the Josef, Marie and Zdeňka Hlávka Endowment Fund and other non-profit organizations. His significant contribution to educational and scientific development was recognized by numerous medals and awards; among others, he received the First Degree Medal of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, the Silver Medal of the Senate of the Czech Republic, and other distinctions.
