Professor Jiří Witzany was one of the leading experts in the field of theory and construction of land structures. As an author or co-author, he designed and experimentally and practically verified a number of new building systems and structures, such as industrially manufactured structures made of steel spatial units, a prefabricated column system with a slab ceiling structure, and many others. He also made a significant contribution to the development of the theory of prefabricated structure design and the reconstruction of historic buildings. He designed the basic variants for the restoration and repair of Charles Bridge and was involved in a number of other important 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 was responsible for a number of fundamental changes in the organization of the faculty. He initiated the creation of study programs in environmental engineering, economics, and management, and founded the field of civil engineering 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, there was a significant increase in the number of students and doctoral students, including foreign ones, and a deepening of CTU's scientific and research activities. Among the extraordinary results of his efforts are the establishment of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, and the start of construction of a new building for the Faculty of Architecture.
Professor Witzany has worked at a number of prominent academic institutions, including the Government Council for Research, Development and Innovation, and as an advisor to the Prime Minister on science and research. In 1992, he founded the Association of European Faculties of Civil Engineering and was repeatedly elected its president; this association brings together a number of European universities that teach civil engineering. He has been actively involved in the activities of the November 17 Foundation, which provides financial support to students with excellent academic results from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as the Josef, Marie and Zdeňka Hlávka Foundation and other non-profit organizations. His significant contribution to pedagogical and scientific development has been recognized with a number of medals and awards, including 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 awards.
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