The Prague Institute, Prague, Czech Republic, is a self-sustaining branch of North Carolina State University providing a rich cultural international educational experience. The Prague Institute utilizes foreign experts, primarily from the Czech academic and professional communities, and NCSU faculty who bring creative impulse to its programming.

Maintaining the University’s high academic standards, the Prague Institute’s unique programs provide diverse international opportunities.

History

In 1991, the Summer Prague Program began offering design courses through the NC State University's College of Design. It offered semester programs in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and summer programs in Art & Design and Graphic Design. In 2005, after fourteen successful years of the Summer Prague Program, the College of Design, under Dean Marvin Malecha's leadership, initiated the Prague Institute, an all-year educational facility in Prague.  The Institute's first semester in Spring 2005 offered a Landscape Architecture Studio with Art Rice as Acting Director and Karla Hammer, Resident Coordinator. Czech architect Martin Perlik, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Design, co-taught the studio with Professor Art Rice.

The opening of the Institute was celebrated in June 2005 with, then, Provost Larry Nielsen attending. Impressed with the opportunities available, the facility, and the city, he stated that "the Prague Institute will be open to all NC State University students." Dana Bartelt, who had directed the  Summer Prague Program, had been hired that June as Director. The Prague Institute became a branch of North Carolina State University in Prague, the first overseas facility of the North Carolina University system, and a registered entity in the Czech Republic. It expanded its offerings to include a variety of general education courses. Most of the courses were selected from the general education requirements list (GER) so that any NC State student could attend the Prague Institute and take courses which would apply to their curriculum of study towards graduation.

Since 2005, the facility has not only expanded its course offerings but its actual physical space now occupying 3 floors boasting two large Lecture Rooms, 2 Seminar Rooms, 3 Studios, a Common Room, 2 Computer Labs, and kitchens for students' use. It is located in the center of Prague in a 13th Century building at Michalska 3, Prague 1, inside a quiet courtyard.

The Colleges participating now include the College of Design, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, College of Education, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Management, College of Natural Resources, and the College of Physical & Mathematical Sciences-either offering courses or programs. Hundreds of NC State students have attended the Prague Institute with several returning a second time.

Acknowledgments
This remarkable endeavor would not have been possible without the concerted effort of many individuals as well as the commitment from the University's administration.

From the College of Design: Dean Marvin Malecha, Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies Research and Extension Art Rice, Professor Robert Burns, Professor Paul Tesar, Adjunct Assistant Professor Martin Perlik, Assistant Dean for Budget & Administration Dottie Haynes, Budget Manager Michael Rodrigues.