Youssef Razouki, a double-degree engineering student from Morocco and France, joined us this summer as an intern at the RICAIP Testbed Prague at CIIRC CTU, Working under the guidance of Tomáš Jochman’s team, he immersed himself in hands-on robotics and technical design projects, quickly demonstrating both technical ability and strong analytical thinking. Youssef approached each task with creativity, openness, and determination, contributing fresh ideas while also showing a genuine eagerness to learn.
What set Youssef apart was not only his problem-solving mindset but also his collaborative spirit. He engaged deeply with ongoing projects, adapted quickly to new tools and environments, and showed resilience in addressing complex challenges. His curiosity and willingness to take initiative made him an asset to the team, and his contributions reflected both precision and innovation.
We greatly valued having Youssef with us, and it was a pleasure to witness his growth throughout the internship. We are confident that the skills, insights, and experiences he gained here will serve him well in his future studies and professional path in the fields of engineering and technology.
Youssef’s summer at the Testbed was far from a passive internship – he stepped right into the fast-paced world of distributed manufacturing, shaping the user experience for complex systems. As a UI developer intern, he translated technical requirements into intuitive interfaces, streamlining workflows and improving operator efficiency. Whether prototyping dashboard layouts, refining interaction flows, or integrating live data visualizations, he approached each challenge with creativity and precision. Immersed in cross-disciplinary collaboration, he gained not only sharper technical skills in front-end development, but also a holistic view of how human-centered design drives innovation in advanced manufacturing environments.
What Was Youssef’s Experience Like at the RICAIP Testbed Prague?
Could you describe your experience working within a team at CIIRC CTU, specifically at RICAIP Testbed Prague? How did you find collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds and countries?
My experience working within the team at CIIRC CTU, specifically at the RICAIP Testbed Prague, was truly enriching. Despite the diversity of nationalities and backgrounds, it felt like one unified team working toward a shared goal.
I was really happy with the team, as they encouraged me to discover new things, gave me trust and confidence to contribute to projects, and provided support in everything related to work and even outside of work. Collaborating with colleagues from different countries exposed me to new perspectives and approaches, which often sparked fresh ideas and creative solutions. Communicating in English also pushed me to expand my technical vocabulary, something I realized I needed to strengthen, and this practice has already proven valuable for my academic growth and future aspirations, especially as I hope to continue my studies abroad.
What made the Testbed experience unique was that it was never only about work. We maintained a healthy balance through collective sports, social activities, which brought us closer as a team. These moments outside the lab helped create strong bonds and made me feel like I was part of a family, not just a workplace. Alongside contributing to ongoing projects and even initiating new ones, this balance between professional collaboration and personal connection made the internship both rewarding and memorable.
How were you able to apply the knowledge you gained in high school to the practical challenges you faced during your internship, especially in robotic systems optimisation?
The knowledge I gained at school was extremely helpful during my internship. The projects we completed in class gave me the mindset for problem-solving and showed me how to apply technical knowledge to real systems, especially in robotics optimization. At the same time, I had to learn new skills from scratch to keep up with the technologies used in the projects, such as 3D development and other specialized tools. Working at RICAIP taught me how to be actively involved in real projects within a professional organizational system, how to collaborate effectively with a diverse team, and how to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in technology. This combination of prior knowledge, new skills, and hands-on experience allowed me to tackle challenges effectively and gain valuable insights into applying theoretical concepts to real-world systems.
Being part of a diverse, international team allowed me to learn from colleagues with different perspectives and approaches, which was incredibly enriching.
As a student from Morocco and France, how did you perceive the atmosphere? Were there any particular challenges or advantages?
As a student from Morocco and France, I perceived the atmosphere at RICAIP Testbed Prague as very welcoming and inclusive. Being part of a diverse, international team allowed me to learn from colleagues with different perspectives and approaches, which was incredibly enriching. One advantage was the exposure to new ideas and ways of solving problems, which broadened my technical and cultural understanding. A challenge at first was adapting to working in a completely new environment and communicating in English consistently, but this quickly became an opportunity to improve my skills, gain confidence, and fully engage with the team. Overall, the experience was extremely positive and gave me valuable insights into working in a professional, multicultural setting.
In developing this user interface for distributed robotic system, to what extent were you given the freedom to contribute your ideas and make decisions?
I was given a significant amount of freedom to contribute my ideas and make decisions while developing the user interface for the distributed robotic system. The team encouraged me to propose solutions, experiment with different approaches, and take ownership of certain design aspects. This freedom allowed me to apply my technical knowledge creatively, suggest improvements, and learn from the feedback of experienced colleagues. It was a very motivating environment, as I could see my contributions directly reflected in the project while still having the support and guidance of the team when needed
It not only allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from school to practical challenges but also encouraged me to learn new technologies, develop problem-solving skills, and gain confidence in contributing to complex systems.
Based on your experiences, would you recommend this internship to other students interested in robotics and mechanical design? Why or why not?
Absolutely, I would highly recommend this internship to other students interested in robotics and mechanical design. The experience provided a unique combination of hands-on technical work, exposure to real-world projects, and collaboration within a diverse, international team. It not only allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from school to practical challenges but also encouraged me to learn new technologies, develop problem-solving skills, and gain confidence in contributing to complex systems. Beyond the technical aspects, the supportive and inclusive environment, along with team activities and opportunities to explore new ideas, made it both professionally and personally rewarding. Any student looking to grow in robotics or mechanical design would greatly benefit from this internship.
How has this internship shaped your thoughts about your future studies and the specific areas within robotics or mechanical design you might want to focus on?
This internship has had a significant impact on my thoughts about my future studies and career path. Working on real-world robotics and mechanical design projects helped me discover that I am particularly interested in combining software development with robotics applications, such as system optimization, automation, and interface design.
Experiencing the latest technologies and collaborative workflows at RICAIP motivated me to pursue an interdisciplinary approach, blending software and robotics, and clarified that I want to focus on projects where I can integrate both areas. Overall, the internship strengthened my commitment to further studies and research at the intersection of software engineering and robotics.
Reflecting on your entire experience, including your work with (technologies used), how do you think these experiences will benefit your academic and professional career going forward?
I believe this internship will greatly benefit both my academic and professional career. It allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from school to real-world challenges, develop practical problem-solving skills, and gain confidence in contributing to complex projects. Additionally, collaborating with an international team exposed me to new approaches and broadened my technical perspective. These experiences have not only strengthened my technical and interpersonal skills but also clarified my interest in pursuing an interdisciplinary path that combines software development and robotics, which will guide my future studies and career decisions.
Photographs by Tereza Pospíšilová for RICAIP Testbed Prague