Košice, October 13, 2025 – The Technical University of Košice, in cooperation with the Innovlab Startup Center of Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia (DT ITSO SK), has successfully completed the fifth edition of the Top Student Thesis competition. Once again, it has demonstrated that young students and innovators from Slovak and international universities can create technologies and solutions with direct social, technological, and business impact.
This year’s competition received 49 final theses, not only from TUKE but also from the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik and the University of Seville in Spain — the highest number of entries in the history of the event.
Focused on Practical Solutions
Top Student Thesis is not just about ideas — the jury, composed of experts from both academia and industry, evaluated the practical contribution, creativity, and business potential of each project.
The competition was divided into four main categories: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Digital Business, and Society and Art.
“The Top Student Thesis 2025 competition once again confirmed that our students bring forward ideas with real potential for innovation and technology transfer. The record number of 49 submitted theses proves a high level of expertise and creativity across all levels of study – bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral.
We also appreciate the diversity of the four competition categories, which allow the presentation of projects from various fields of research and technology. We believe that many of these works will find real-world applications, strengthen cooperation with industry, and contribute to further innovation development at our university,” said Prof. Ing. Juraj Gazda, PhD., Vice-Rector for Innovation and Technology Transfer at TUKE.
Winners of the Top Student Thesis 2025
Digital Business
Bc. Marek Tóth
Topic:
AI Voice Agent Based on LLM with RAG and Data Embedding from PDF
Marek implemented a web platform that allows small businesses and individuals to create their own AI voice assistant without any programming. The project makes it easy to build custom assistants without complex settings — the system automatically prepares the assistant based on a simple conversation. The platform is ideal for customer support, marketing, or education.
Healthcare
Ing. Gabriel Stolárik, PhD.
Topic:
Surface Modification Using a Pulsating Water Jet
This work introduces a new eco-friendly method based on pure water for modifying biomaterials and implants, improving bone cell adhesion while eliminating heat damage and contamination. By using an ultrasound-excited pulsating water jet, it creates bone-like structures and increases implant durability. The technology has potential in medicine, aviation, energy, and the maritime industry.
The project was developed in collaboration with Masaryk University in Brno and has already attracted professional interest.
Manufacturing
Bc. Samuel Hreha
Topic:
Design and Control of a Perforating Machine
This project presents the design of a fully automated perforating machine capable of accurately and efficiently perforating PVC pipes. The machine reduces the need for manual operation, improves safety, and enables digital parameter adjustment. An innovative feed mechanism allows simultaneous rotation and movement of the pipe without reconfiguration, increasing production flexibility. The machine includes safety features and is currently being registered as a utility model. The company INGNAR s.r.o. has already expressed interest in using it for drainpipe production.
Society and Art
Ing. Ivana Halászová, PhD.
Topic:
Utilization of Industry 4.0 Digital Technologies for the Planning and Management of Constructions with Green Architectural Elements
This project explores the use of digital tools for planning and managing buildings with green facades and roofs. The result is a modular hexagonal construction unit that is ecological, economical, and adaptable for various uses.
Its innovations lie in re-modularity – the ability to change purpose, location, or expand the unit by adding modules while maintaining sustainable construction principles. The concept may attract interest from municipal, academic, and industrial ecosystems and has already been filed with the Ministry as a design titled “Re-modular Hexagonal Construction Unit.”
University–Business Cooperation Brings Results
The competition was created as a result of long-term cooperation between the Technical University of Košice (TUKE), the University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik (UPJŠ), and Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia.
The company regularly supports activities related to regional development, innovation, talent growth, and technological market solutions.
“At Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia, we believe in the value of a healthy innovation ecosystem in Eastern Slovakia. We are glad that the Top Student Thesis competition serves as a platform that promotes not only original ideas but also practical, market-ready solutions. The fact that it’s now in its fifth year only confirms its importance,” said Ľubor Žatko, CEO of DT ITSO SK.
Growing Interest and International Reach
The competition continues to gain popularity, as evidenced by the increasing number of submissions.
“I am pleased that the quality of the submitted works improves each year and that not only Slovak but also foreign universities participate. This gives the competition an international dimension,” said Milan Varga, Manager of the Innovlab Startup Center.