Coalition partners discuss shelter network

At a recent meeting of the Supervisory Board of the international Civil Protection Shelter Coalition project, Andrii Shysholin, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, reported about the current state of development of the university’s shelter infrastructure and emphasised the need for further building of versatile shelters.

During the event, next steps toward establishing a network of shelters across Ukraine were under discussion. The meeting brought together representatives from Ukraine and Finland. Ukraine was represented by the State Emergency Service, and key ministries including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education and Science. Finland was represented by the Department for Rescue Services at the Ministry of the Interior.

In particular, the participants in the meeting were introduced to a modern shelter located at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, presented as an example of a new calibre of safe space for people during wartime.

The main purpose of the Coalition is to promote substantial international action for building civil protection shelters in line with the national strategic objectives of Ukraine, provide channel for international partners to contribute to financing the construction of civil protection shelters in Ukraine, and to share best practices in shelter construction.

 

KPI student conducts research at CERN

Viktoriia Tarasenko, a student of the Department of Electronic Devices and Systems at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, was selected to participate in a prestigious research programme at CERN – the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

From 3 February to 18 May 2025, Viktoriia Tarasenko has been involved in the project under the University of Michigan (USA) programme, taking a rare opportunity to pursue research at one of the world-famous laboratories. Specifically, the University of Michigan – CERN Research Experience for Undergraduates Programme (UM-CERN REU) provides undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct research with some of the world’s leading physicists at CERN in different research fields.

Not only does this remarkable research experience attest to the high calibre of instruction provided at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, but such collaborations give students new horizons of scientific pursuits.

Huawei confers special award on KPI

Recently, Huawei has marked a major milestone – 25 years of its operations in Ukraine. On this occasion, the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) received a special “Honorable educational partner” award from the company.

Kyiv Polytechnic has been cooperating with Huawei since 2016. Over this time, various projects to promote the priority development of higher education and science have been carried out. These include initiatives in information and communication technologies – such as the latest equipment, laboratories, and infrastructure – as well as dual education, internships, and employment of students, among others.

However, the partners are not resting on their laurels and have recently expanded cooperation even further.

For instance, Kyiv Polytechnic and Huawei Ukraine will undertake a joint initiative to standardize technical terminology and compile an ICT dictionary spanning more than 12 subjects related to telecommunications, artificial intelligence, smart cities, cybersecurity, virtual and augmented reality, and more. This initiative is related to a separate area of cooperation that will be useful for the development of Ukraine’s digital economy.

“Together, we will expand opportunities for research, share more practical experience, and support Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in shaping the future of ICT in Ukraine,” said Tony Cao, CEO of Huawei Ukraine.

KPI signs MoC with charitable foundations

In a move to transform Ukraine’s medical landscape, the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) has signed a significant memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the charitable foundations Genesis for Ukraine and KOLO. This partnership provides for the achievement of a common ambitious goal: to develop technologies in the field of biomedicine, prosthetics, and rehabilitation, as well as to apply the practical solutions that save and improve lives.

Through their cooperation, partners plan a plethora of promising initiatives and projects, including:

·        Implementation of innovations in biomedicine, biosafety and biosecurity;

·        Development of medical biotechnologies, diagnosis and treatment systems, and innovative medical devices;

·        Higher level of professional training and education within this sector;

·        Research in prosthetics and rehabilitation, and the improvement of service quality;

·        Certification of specialists, as well as of prosthetic materials and components;

·        Search for and support of startups and new products in the area of medical engineering;

·        Development and modernisation of the university clinic.

More importantly, this cooperation signals a strategic step forward in the evolution of high-tech medical engineering in Ukraine. By working together, the partners will contribute to the systematic transformation of the sector – where science, technology, and empathy meet at the forefront of human health.

Developing infrastructure for energy sustainability and digital education, together with partners

On 23 April, the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics (FEPEA) at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute hosted a presentation of the new infrastructure solutions that strengthen university’s energy autonomy and digital capabilities.

The virtual energy systems modelling laboratory exemplifies successful cooperation with both international and Ukrainian partners. Owing to their support, a comprehensive educational digital environment for modelling complex energy systems has been created. Key contributions include:

• 15 MATLAB software licences granted by the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute;

• 25 PowerFactory licences issued by the DMCC Engineering company; and

• 15 modern computers acquired at the expense of the Kyiv Polytechnic’s Development Fund.

The lab was established with the participation of the Swedish Institute within the framework of the international project Ukrainian Sustainable Energy Systems.

The Digital Power Lab has been fully equipped, thanks to Huawei Ukraine. Currently, it is capable of supplying electric power to FEPEA’s structural subdivisions during power outages, enabling the uninterrupted educational process.

The photovoltaic system of guaranteed power supply to the dean’s office and the FEPEA admissions committee was developed with the assistance of the Atmosfera company. This solution ensures the smooth operation of the faculty administration, which is essential during critical periods like examinations and the admission campaign.

 

Swedish special guests visit Kyiv Polytechnic’s library

The reputation of the Scientific and Technical Library named after Hryhorii Denysenko – Rector of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute from 1971 to 1987 – continues to expand, gaining increasing recognition not only in Ukraine but beyond its borders.

Recently, the Kyiv Polytechnic’s library hosted special guests from Sweden comprising Dr Lars Ilshammar, former Deputy Director of the National Library of Sweden; Thord Eriksson, Editor-in-Chief of Biblioteksbladet published by the Swedish Library Association; and photojournalist Åke Ericson.

They were gathering materials for a special issue of the Biblioteksbladet journal, dedicated to the activities of Ukrainian libraries during the war and the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

The guests were impressed by how quickly and efficiently the library adapted to difficult, unsafe conditions, proactively applying the cutting-edge technologies to render services to users, the unprecedented scale of the CLUST SPACE smart air raid shelter, as well as by a policy of library’s energy independence.

Kyiv Polytechnic librarians are proud that the resilience and great achievements of the Hryhorii Denysenko Scientific and Technical Library are already recognised in Sweden, and the article about it will reach Biblioteksbladet readers sometime soon.

Kyiv Polytechnic team takes first place in international cybersecurity competition

The DCUA team from the Technical Information Security laboratory at the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute took first place in the Hackfinity Battle CTF (Capture The Flag) 2025 – a large cybersecurity competition that brought together more than 4,300 teams and over 24,000 participants from around the world.

Kyiv Polytechnic’s victorious team included Dmytro Kryhin, Oleksii Bondarenko, David Shanidze, Volodymyr Duduladenko, and Yurii Prykhodko.

Teams solved practical cybersecurity challenges in diverse areas of knowledge that allowed participants to put their skills to test. Each challenge had one or more flags (a string of text) that served as proof of achieving the expected goal. Teams earned score points for captured flags.

The competition was held online via the TryHackMe (THM) platform. The DCUA team secured a $1,000 cash prize, while each team player also received Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), a 12-month THM subscription, a SAL1 Exam voucher, and other prizes.

In a digital age when Russia attempts to destabilise European countries with acts of terrorism, sabotage and cyber-attacks, the triumph of Kyiv Polytechnic’s DCUA team signals not only technical brilliance but also the rising talent of Ukraine’s next generation of cyber guardians.

Kyiv Polytechnic expands cooperation with Japanese partners

The Ukraine-Japan Center at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute recently welcomed important partners – representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the PADECO development consulting firm, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine – to discuss the development of vocational education in Ukraine.

Remarkably, JICA and the Ministry of Education and Science have chosen Kyiv Polytechnic to undertake this vital initiative, paving the way for prospective projects that will potentially span educational, research, and cultural spheres, including:

– Organization of Japanese language courses tailored for technical fields, awarding partial educational qualifications upon completion;

– Upskilling of engineers, and traineeships for staff of vocational colleges in heat pump maintenance, supported by Panasonic’s material and technical resources;

– Short courses and certification programs on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, business and management, combining the experience and expertise of Japanese colleagues and specialists at Kyiv Polytechnic’s Faculty of Management and Marketing;

– Introduction to the fundamentals of the tea ceremony and traditional Japanese cuisine, led by educators and partners of the Ukraine-Japan Center, including Chef Yoshihirio Fujiwara, a goodwill ambassador for the promotion of Japanese cuisine.

This collaboration signifies a meaningful step in bridging cultures, and equipping Ukraine’s workforce with invaluable expertise.

Finnish companies visit Kyiv Polytechnic to establish cooperation

Under the auspices of the Rebuild Ukraine Office, representatives of top Finnish companies visited the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute to explore avenues of cooperation. Among the guests were experts with extensive experience in many areas vital for the university, including:

– Advanced materials,

– Waste recycling,

– Energy-efficient technologies in heating and cooling systems,

– Biomedical engineering.

Representatives from Kimmelux, Toivo Group, Circulation, Grow Capital, Indufor, and Arctic Warm expressed a keen interest in joining ReBuild projects, particularly in the R&D area, which are aimed at renovating and enhancing Ukraine’s functional capabilities.

“Finland has made a giant leap in technology over time,” said Kyiv Polytechnic Rector Anatolii Melnychenko. “Their experience in implementing technologies and building up a high-tech nation is vitally important for us. We need to study it – this is the first component. The second is the high technological culture of the Finns. Our university should train engineers in new approaches to applying technology to business, industry, and the economy.”

One of the first joint initiatives involving the representatives of Finnish companies will be the International Forum “Innovations in Medical Engineering,” slated for May. Organized by Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, the Sikorsky Challenge Innovation Ecosystem, and other partners, the forum is expected to serve as a platform for advancing cooperation and technological innovation.

Dialog between Kyiv Polytechnic and French partners continues

Recently, representatives from the Defense Innovation Agency at the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France, along with Héloїse Marmouset de la Taille, attaché for university and scientific cooperation at the Embassy of France in Ukraine, visited the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. This visit reaffirmed the ongoing dialogue between Kyiv Polytechnic and the French Embassy, reinforcing their shared interest in collaborative projects.

The partnership aims to expand Kyiv Polytechnic’s capabilities in biomedical engineering, particularly in prosthetics and rehabilitation.

“Your hands-on experience in prosthetic manufacturing and related research is inspiring,” said Héloїse Marmouset de la Taille. “It is of great interest to us, as we are also implementing several programs to support war veterans.”

During the meeting, participants exchanged technical expertise in regenerative medicine, prosthetics, physical and psychological rehabilitation. They also discussed veterans’ support policies, mobility opportunities, and exchange programs for Ukrainian and French veterans.

Oleksandr Halkin, Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, presented a unique certificate program in prosthetic engineering and technology. Nataliia Seminska, Director of the Training and Innovation Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation, gave a presentation on the Science Park of Additive Technologies, which is developing cutting-edge medical solutions.

The French delegation visited the Kyiv Polytechnic’s Laboratory of Additive Technologies in Prosthetics, where students, scientists and partners design and refine prosthetic sockets, orthoses, and specialized fasteners.

Hopefully, this cooperation will contribute to impactful innovations and support the rehabilitation of Ukrainian war veterans, helping them return to active life.