The Department of Environmental Engineering was established on the initiative of some of its later staff on 1 October 1990, with the first department being called the Department of Ecology until 14 October 1994, later the Department of Environmental Protection at HGF. Subsequently, from 15 October 1994, it was renamed the Institute of Environmental Engineering, which was established at the Faculty of Mining and Geology of VŠB-TU Ostrava by merging the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Environmental Engineering.
The Institute of Environmental Engineering was renamed the Department of Environmental Engineering on 21 March 2018.
The mission of the Department of Environmental Engineering is to transfer knowledge, develop skills and create a space leading to the professional growth of individuals, the development of society and the improvement of the quality of life in the field of environmental engineering. The Department is a technical department that provides higher education and intensively develops scientific research, technological development, innovation and other creative activities. The Department cooperates closely with practice, local government, domestic and foreign universities and other scientific institutions.
Students at the Department receive education in accredited study programs that reflect current social and environmental needs, namely:
- Waste Management and Mineral Processing (Bachelor's and Master's degree)
- Brownfields Technical Redevelopment (Master's degree)
- Processing (PhD)
The research activities of the Department include research projects and collaboration with practice in the fields of sustainable technologies, environmental protection, waste management, water treatment, purification and recycling, among others. In this way, the Department contributes to solving key environmental challenges and promotes sustainable development of society.
In line with the document STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND GOALS OF THE FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2021+, the Department of Environmental Engineering aims to fulfil the key priorities and goals of the Faculty, namely:
- Education for Practice: stabilizing the number of students, increasing the quality of teachers and promoting the link between curricula and practice.
- Recognised Research: strengthening publication outputs, international collaboration and developing excellence in key research areas.
- Effective functioning: modernising the working environment, promoting human resources and strengthening the faculty brand.
- Internationalization: Increasing the number of international students, trainees and arrivals of foreign experts.
In this way, the department contributes to the sustainable development and strengthening of the social contribution of the faculty.