On October 8, the first training in a series of psychological activities «Formation of resilience skills in stressful situations» was held for dormitory residents in the premises of dormitory No. 2 of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University.

During the meeting, the participants paid attention to the development of psychological resilience, discussed effective ways to overcome stress, and learned about approaches to maintaining emotional balance in difficult life circumstances.

The speaker, practical psychologist of the university Alyona Sadykina, focused particular attention on developing the ability to adapt to change, finding internal resources to overcome difficulties, and recovering from emotional stress.

Building resilience is a key component of maintaining mental health, as it helps a person better cope with challenges, maintain inner support, and find the strength to move forward.

The event was held within the framework of the activities of the Psychological Service of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, aimed at supporting mental health and developing psychological resilience of the university community.

The university’s vice-rector, Andriy Ivanchenko, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. In addition to the psychological topic, he took the opportunity to talk to the residents of the dormitories about the progress of the renovation work and further improvement of living conditions.

The event was organized within the framework of the project «Support Point: Space for Development and Support of IDPs» initiated by the Center for Support of Public Initiatives «Free UA», within the framework of the grant competition «Sparks of Communities: Partnership between ISAR Unity and GlobalGiving for Sustainability», implemented by ISAR Unity with funding from GlobalGiving.

On October 2, Rector of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Viktor Greshta and Director of Zaporizhzhia Regional Center of Complex Rehabilitation for Children with Disabilities, Viktoriia Kovaleva, Zaporizhzhia Regional Council, signed the Cooperation Agreement. Svitlana Lysenko, director of the department of social protection of the population of Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration, also took part in the meeting.

Dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports Management Svitlana Kokareva, Head of the Department of Special Education Iryna Pushchyna, and Head of the Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Olha Kovaleva joined the signing of the contract on behalf of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University.

The partnership is aimed at combining the educational, scientific and practical potential of the University and the Center and the development of cooperation in the field of physical therapy and rehabilitation, special education, speech therapy and social support.

Main areas of cooperation:

• expansion of opportunities for practical and clinical training of students
• involvement of Center specialists in improving educational programs, holding guest lectures, trainings and master classes
• organization of joint scientific and applied research, preparation of scientific publications
• participation in conferences, competitions and grant programs
• professional development of Center employees through joint educational, methodical and scientific and practical activities
• exchange of professional experience and scientific and methodological developments
• implementation of joint rehabilitation, correctional development and educational initiatives for children with disabilities and their families
• working out the possibility of introducing a dual form of education and involving the Center as a partner in its implementation
• expansion of opportunities for internships and further employment of graduates

The cooperation between Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University and the Center is a step towards sustainable interaction of education and practice, which combines the training of competitive specialists, the development of science and real support for children with disabilities and their families.

Ahead are new joint projects, professional initiatives, research and opportunities for development.

Together we create an environment where knowledge turns into professional skill, and partnership turns into real change for people.

Dear students, university employees, and dormitory residents!

As part of a grant project organized by the trade union committee and the administration, you can undergo an extended examination and receive expert advice for free!

A mobile team of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of the KNP «Territorial Medical Association »Healthy Family«» ZOR will operate in the premises of the university medical center.

The range of services includes:

• consultation and examination by an obstetrician-gynecologist + colposcopy
• collection of material for microbiological examination and oncocytology (PAP test)
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (transabdominal/transvaginal)
• examination and ultrasound of the mammary and thyroid glands
• express tests: syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C (absolutely confidential)
• blood glucose determination and rapid pregnancy test
• consulting based on test results

Where? University Medical Center (Building 4, Room 194)

Pre-registration via the link: https://forms.gle/rGSraWPgoFeajhbj7
Date and time will be announced after registration.

Take care of your health — take the opportunity to undergo a quality screening right at the university!

On September 29, the rector of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Viktor Greshta and the director of Zaporizhzhia Gymnasium No. 106 of the Zaporizhzhia City Council Tetyana Kolupaeva signed a cooperation agreement, officially consolidating a long-term partnership between the university and the gymnasium.

Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University and Gymnasium No. 106 have been united by joint cooperation for many years. During this time, many interesting initiatives have been implemented, and gymnasium students actively participate in the life of the university, participate in research and creative projects, opening up new opportunities for development and self-realization.

The goal of cooperation is to develop interaction in the scientific, scientific and technical, engineering and technical, economic, humanitarian and educational spheres, support specialized education, improve the quality of the educational process, develop STREAM education and strengthen career guidance work among students.

Main areas of cooperation:

• conducting career consultations, additional classes in core subjects, electives and clubs
• providing methodological and scientific-methodological support to the pedagogical staff of the gymnasium
• organization of scientific research activities, contests, competitions, scientific conferences and master classes
• implementation of joint educational, scientific, educational and career guidance projects
• development of STREAM education and creation of opportunities for practical familiarization of students with modern areas of science and technology
• informing students about specialties, admission requirements, educational opportunities and material and technical base of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University
• joint planning and implementation of educational and training activities
• involving students in research, project and community activities
• exchange of professional experience and improvement of joint educational initiatives

This partnership opens up new spaces for students to learn, create, and realize themselves, helping them discover their abilities and confidently decide on their future professional path.

Ahead are new ideas, interesting projects, joint discoveries, and bright opportunities.
Together, we create an environment in which dreams are born, talents grow, and the future is shaped!

On September 17, students of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University visited Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, where they met with representatives of the university’s student council.

We held a meaningful meeting, during which we exchanged experience of student self-government, talked about the projects and initiatives of the youth of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University, and learned more about the activities of the KPI student council.

We gave our representatives a tour of the university – we were introduced to its spaces, infrastructure, and university environment.

An important result of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the student government bodies of Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University.

The meeting was an important step for the further partnership between the two universities. Ahead lies the expansion of joint initiatives, new projects, and more opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers of both universities.

Thank you to the KPI administration and the student council for your hospitality, openness to cooperation, and warm welcome! See you soon for new meetings and joint projects!

On September 24–25, the II International Scientific and Practical Conference «Business Ecosystems: Sustainable Development» (BESD–2026) was held at the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University.

The conference brought together scientists, representatives of higher education institutions, businesses, local governments, employers, and international academic institutions to discuss topical issues of business ecosystem transformation, digitalization, innovation, and sustainable development.

The first day of the conference, September 24, began with the official opening. The participants were welcomed by the rector of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Viktor Greshta, first vice-rector Serhiy Shylo, deputy mayor of Zaporizhzhia Andriy Pyatnytskyi, first deputy chairman of the university’s Supervisory Board Yevheniy Sotnikov, director of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Employment Center Zinaida Boyko, executive director of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (Employers) «Potential» and chairman of the council of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Federation of Employers Valeriy Krainiy, vice-rector of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian University in Bydgoszcz (Poland) Dariusz Chakovsky, rectors and representatives of leading Ukrainian universities, professor of the East Bavarian Technical University Amberg-Weiden (Germany) Dmytro Antonyuk, vice-president of the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Andriy Kuts.

The words of support from international and Ukrainian partners for Zaporizhzhia were especially important for a city that continues to work, teach, conduct scientific research, and develop in the face of war. 

During the plenary session, scientists from different countries presented the results of their research. The topics of the plenary reports covered the efficiency and environmental performance of EU agricultural regions, digital transformation of business processes and sustainable development of small and medium-sized businesses, human capital development, AI-enabled ecosystems and technology transfer, spatial features of economic development of Ukrainian regions, change management and leadership in uncertainty, energy sustainability, strategic management of digital business ecosystems, and the issue of decent and productive work of Ukrainian forced migrants.
The second day of the conference, September 25, was dedicated to the work of three parallel thematic sections, which presented different dimensions of sustainable development of modern business ecosystems.

The section «Production Technologies in the Context of the »Green Transition«», moderated by Lidiya Horoshkova, Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and Olena Bilenko, Associate Professor at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, discussed the issues of spatial renewal of the Zaporizhzhia region, green innovations in water purification systems, radioactively contaminated water management, development of logistics systems, green synthesis of nanoparticles, use of energy crops, safety of electric transport infrastructure, and low-carbon development of Ukraine’s energy sector. Particular attention was paid to combining technological innovations with resource efficiency, environmental safety, and economic recovery.

The section «Digital Transformation, Modeling and Forecasting of Sustainable Development of Business Ecosystems», moderated by Dmytro Antonyuk, Professor at the East Bavarian University of Amberg-Weiden (Germany), and Iryna Lazneva, Associate Professor at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, covered a wide range of research in the field of digital technologies. Participants presented research results on artificial intelligence and data-driven marketing, digital platforms, ESG reporting, human-algorithm interaction, digitalization of agri-food trade, industrial cluster management, price modeling, digital technologies in tourism, Smart Factory, digital twins, IIoT, anti-crisis management, digital security and system-intelligent support of management decisions. A separate area of ​​research concerned digital strategies for the development of regions of Ukraine, tourism and medical tourism, as well as the interaction of marketing and logistics approaches.

The third section — «Formation of Human Capital for Innovation» — was dedicated to one of the key resources of sustainable development — human capital. Its moderators were Olena Vasilyeva, Dean of the Faculty of Business Technologies and Economics of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, and Iryna Maksymenko, Associate Professor of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University. The participants presented research on the quality of regional innovation management, the formation and development of human capital of territorial communities in the context of post-war reconstruction, regional trajectories of human capital in conditions of military polycrisis, the development of human capital in the field of demining, the digitalization of HRM, the integration of veterans into the corporate environment, social entrepreneurship, the application of artificial intelligence in personnel management, and the development of social and human capital of crisis innovation ecosystems. Special attention was paid to digital participation as a mechanism for preserving and developing Ukraine’s human capital, digital leadership, and the formation of systems thinking competencies.

We thank all speakers, moderators, members of the Program Committee, partners and participants of BESD–2026 for the professional discussion, new scientific ideas, international cooperation and support. Special thanks to the Ukrainian and international participants who joined the conference and, together with the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, are forming a space for scientific dialogue on sustainable development, digital transformation and the future of Ukraine.

BESD–2026 — Science that unites. Ideas that work for the future!

The Kommunarsky District Center for Youth and Schoolchildren celebrated its 35th anniversary. The team was congratulated by the vice-rector of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Andriy Ivanchenko and the director of the Children’s and Youth Scientific University Olena Nazarova.

The festive event featured a decorative and applied arts corner, as well as an exhibition of the Center’s awards, cups, and medals of young athletes, which are evidence of the many years of fruitful work of students and teachers.

The concert program consisted of bright dance numbers, warm words of congratulations and wishes from the management, partners, employees, graduates and friends of the institution sounded from the stage. A particularly touching moment was the presentation of the pedagogical award «Created with the Heart» – an award for those who put their soul into the upbringing and development of children every day.

The Center’s success formula was symbolically derived. It included professionalism, creativity, perseverance, partnership, support, love for children, and belief in their potential.

Today, in the conditions of rapid changes and challenges, cooperation between educational institutions of different levels is of particular importance. It is the partnership and creation of a single educational ecosystem «school – extracurricular – university» that opens up more opportunities for children for development, self-realization and conscious professional choice. Institutions such as the Kommunarsky District Center for Youth and Schoolchildren are an important link in this ecosystem, as they help children discover their talents, find their calling and confidently build their own future.

We sincerely congratulate the team! We wish you new achievements, inspiration, peace and prosperity for many years to come!

On September 14–18, a delegation from Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University participated in the International Summer Convention (ISC) 2026, held at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FH Dortmund) in Germany.

The forum brought together 160 representatives from 45 institutions across 20 countries. The event’s program combined hands-on training with research activities: seminars on artificial intelligence in education, ORCAthon 2026 dedicated to digital learning materials, lab tours, and meetings aimed at fostering scientific collaboration.
The opening ceremony took place in the Compressor Hall of the former Hansa coking plant (Kokerei Hansa) in Dortmund — a unique venue for large-scale events. Forum participants were welcomed by Tamara Appel, Rector of FH Dortmund; Stefan Weyers, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Research, and International Relations; and representatives of the Dortmund city administration. During Gallery Walk event, representatives of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University — Tetyana Solovyova, Nataliia Furmanova, Andrii Parkhomenko, Anastasiia Zerkal, Oleksandr Malyi, Oleksii Kuzkin, Andrii Karpenko, Halyna Tabunschyk, Anzhelika Parkhomenko, Kateryna Antoniuk, and Dmytro Antoniuk presented the university’s research and educational projects, programs, and areas of activity.

On September 14–15, faculty members from Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University actively participated in ORCAthon project events, working in international teams. The teams were formed during online meetings held in preparation for ORCAthon to collaboratively develop new open educational resources. Our graduate students and undergraduates Vladilen Borolis, Serhii Tabunschyk, Kostiantyn Barnyak, and Illia Parkhomenko joined international student teams and presented the results of their virtual cross-border innovation projects in the field of sustainable development to the jury via an online format.
On September 18, university representatives took part in a working meeting of the Project and Innovation Management for Ukraine (UA4PIM) project team, which is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as part of German-Ukrainian University Network (DUHN) program. Carsten Wolff, Director of the IDiAL Institute (FH Dortmund) and Honorary Professor at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, presented the current status of the development of new educational modules and outlined the main directions for further work.

ISC2026 also hosted a regular working meeting of representatives from two Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic projects — UA4PIM and TANDEM-UA-DE (Teaching and Administration Network for Double Degree Education and Mobility—Ukraine and Germany) — which are being implemented as part of DUHN, with the participation of their coordinators – Professor Kateryna Antoniuk and Professor Dmytro Antoniuk.
A key event of the week was the initial meeting of participants in the new ReSE-Lab research project (2026–2029), funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) as part of German-Ukrainian scientific cooperation for sustainable recovery. Along with Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, FH Dortmund and the Western Ukrainian National University (Ternopil) are participating in the project. Project coordinators Professor Carsten Wolf (FH Dortmund) and Associate Professor Anzhelika Parkhomenko (Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University) presented the project’s objectives, financial plan, timeline, key milestones, and work packages.

For the third time, the ISC International Summer Forum has served as a central platform for developing long-standing partnerships and deepening international cooperation in various areas, as internationalization is a key focus of our university’s activities.

On September 18–19, the historic founding Carpathian 8 Summit was held in Ukraine (Bukovel), which launched a new regional association – the «Carpathian Eight» (C8). Ukraine initiated this format, uniting eight states of the region around common goals: Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.

The main goal of the C8 is to transform the Carpathian region from a periphery into a powerful space of security, logistics, energy independence and large-scale investments. Together, the G8 countries are a market of 126 million people with a combined GDP of about 3.5 trillion US dollars.

The summit brought together an unprecedented number of leaders and top officials of European scale. The event was opened by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. Among the key high-ranking officials who personally participated in the discussions:
– President of Romania Nicosor Dan
– Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto

On the Ukrainian side, a powerful team of state leadership worked in Bukovel: Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky and key members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, including the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Andriy Butenko.

The Zaporizhzhia region was worthily represented at the summit by the heads of the region – Mykhailo Semikin and Olena Zhuk.

Priority sectors and contribution of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic:
Almost half of the funds raised will be directed to the energy sector (solar and wind generation, energy storage systems). Also in focus: industry, transport, logistics and infrastructure.
The Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, with over a century of experience in training high-quality specialists in the energy, mechanical engineering, engineering and technology, economics and humanitarian fields, as well as powerful scientific potential, was actively involved in the work of the specialized sections of the summit.
Our university was represented by the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, Socio-Economic Development and Youth Policy Andriy Ivanchenko, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering Mykola Antonov.

The summit program included a round table discussion «Carpathian Network of Energy Education. Energy: from skills shortages and skills gap to sustainable development»
This event brought together representatives of government agencies, academia, energy companies and international partners to discuss how the Carpathian region can strengthen cooperation in the areas of energy education, skills development and human resources, while supporting Ukraine’s urgent needs for recovery and its long-term integration into the European energy market.
Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic’s expertise in the areas of distributed generation, renewable energy, energy efficiency and modern mechanical engineering, transport and tourism is highly sought after for the implementation of ambitious investment projects enshrined in the Carpathian Declaration.

The roundtable resulted in the approval and signing of the Joint Statement on the establishment of the Carpathian Energy Education Network, a regional platform for long-term cooperation between governments, universities, energy companies, educational service providers and international partners. The joint statement identifies common priorities for cooperation and lays the foundation for the development of practical initiatives.

We are proud that the scientific community of our university is becoming a driver of major European changes and innovative renewal of Ukraine!

As part of initiatives to properly preserve national memory and gradually develop institutional museum work, the Museum of the History of Technical Progress of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University received grant support from the Ukrainian Museum in New York for the implementation of the project of a modern exhibition «Digital Book of Memory».

The aforementioned initiative, the implementation process of which covers the period from August to September of this year, is designed to form an updated exhibition space in which a deep tribute to the feat of Ukrainian soldiers will be harmoniously combined with digital formats for presenting historical information by purchasing and installing a specialized interactive touch panel on a mobile stand. The corresponding strengthening of the material and technical base of the complex will provide visitors with the opportunity for convenient and comprehensive interaction with digitized archival materials containing preserved biographical information and photographs of fallen heroes, thus guaranteeing a worthy recording of an important heritage.

On October 1, right before the Day of Defenders of Ukraine, the museum team will present an updated interactive space during a special thematic commemorative event, which will help engage students in the study of local history and honor those who gave their lives for the independence of the state.

During the spring semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University students Dmytro Chernenko (M–614) and Kyrylo Filipenkov (KNT–615m) participated in an academic mobility program at the De Nayer campus of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

Since 2015, the Catholic University of Leuven and Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University have partnered to advance academic mobility.The mutual exchange of students, faculty, and administrative staff was made possible by an inter-institutional agreement between the universities. During this time, 32 students from Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University have studied and completed internships at the Catholic University of Leuven.

The academic mobility project coordinator on behalf of the Catholic University of Leuven is Halyna Tabunschyk, a professor in the Department of Software Engineering.

We invite students at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University to participate in international academic mobility programs. Information about current opportunities is available on the university’s website: https://zp.edu.ua/international-activities/academic-mobility/.

We invite you to read Kirill Filipenkov’s reflections on his experience studying at KU Leuven:

Hello! My name is Kirill Filipenkov, and I am a student in the Department of Computer Systems and Networks at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University. I spent the spring semester of 2026 in Belgium, studying through the Erasmus+ academic mobility program at KU Leuven –  the country’s oldest university and one of Europe’s leading research universities.

For half a year, my home was the De Nayer campus of the Faculty of Engineering Technologies in the town of Sint-Katelijne-Waver, located between Brussels and Antwerp. I’ll admit: I hesitated for a long time, even after submitting my application – leaving home wasn’t easy, but it was a unique experience.

Belgium is a small country, slightly larger than our Zaporizhzhia Oblast. It has a high standard of living and well-developed infrastructure. I was particularly impressed by the cycling infrastructure. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of old Europe, as Belgian cities have preserved it at every corner: medieval Bruges and Ghent, the port city of Antwerp, and historic Mechelen right next to the campus. Paris and Amsterdam are just a few hours away by train from here.

Belgians are friendly people who speak English very well, so there’s practically no language barrier in everyday life – at least, I didn’t experience one.

To those who are hesitating, I’ll put it simply: you’re unlikely to be perfectly prepared – just think about whether you’ll have an opportunity like this once you finish your studies. If you occasionally read and watch videos in English – that’s enough; you’ll catch up on the rest once you’re there. You’ll receive support at every stage – both from colleagues at your home university and from the Belgian side.

In 2021, there was a lockdown; in 2022, a full-scale war that continues to this day. During all this time, my colleagues and I attended in-person classes for only 1–2 semesters at best, and even then with interruptions; and, to be honest, I didn’t think it was such a big deal. So, it felt unusual – but very beneficial –  to once again experience the need to physically go somewhere on a regular basis and be among other people. And the opportunity to interact directly with the equipment is simply priceless: it’s yet another opportunity we lost due to remote learning.

At KU Leuven, I took four courses: Real-time Embedded Design, Embedded Algorithm Optimization, Information Management, and Student Project. In Real-time Embedded Design, we developed real-time systems – ranging from the theory of task scheduling and real-time operating systems to lab work on actual hardware. The culmination was a project to build an image contour detection pipeline (Gaussian filter + Sobel operator) that runs in real time on an embedded platform.

Embedded Algorithm Optimization course taught me to look at algorithms from a hardware perspective: error theory, computational complexity, and code optimization under strict memory and power consumption constraints. Information Management course covered the design of information systems and working with data.

The topic of my Student Project was optimizing the execution of neural networks on embedded systems. In short: modern image-processing networks “don’t fit” into the memory of small devices, so the order of computations has to be carefully planned. I developed a tool that automatically determines this order and identifies the best trade-offs between on-chip memory capacity and data exchange.

This resulted in a project defense before the research group and a draft of a future scientific article, prepared in collaboration with my advisors.

Finally, I would like to thank the people who made this exchange possible. From my home university—Larisa Mykolayivna Duyko, Galina Volodymyrivna Tabunschyk, Iryna Yakivna Zelenova, Maria Yuriyivna Tyagunova, and the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology – who supported me at every stage, from submitting my application to my return. If this post has inspired you to give it a try, please reach out to them directly. I’d like to express my special gratitude to Peter Arras, who provided support and guidance during my studies at KU Leuven, and to Steven Colleman – my research project advisor.

Erasmus+ isn’t just a “vacation in Europe,” but rather intensive work with elements of travel that pays off in full measure: professional contacts, self-confidence, and a clear understanding of where to grow next.

I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to every student in our department. Good luck!

On September 8–9, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University invited representatives of Zaporizhzhia schools and educational institutions of the region to a partnership dialogue. The partnership forum «School and University: An Ecosystem of Joint Solutions» brought together educators, representatives of education authorities, and those who work every day for the development of youth and shape the educational environment of Zaporizhzhia.

For the educational community, such a meeting is traditional, but this year the forum took place in a new format. Its main feature is the transition from presenting opportunities to specific proposals for partnership and joint actions.

The forum was opened by the rector of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, Viktor Greshta. The participants were also addressed by the head of the Zaporizhzhia District State Administration, Oleh Buryak, deputy director of the Department of Education and Science of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, Andriy Khmelnytskyi, and the founder of HELPER Ukraine, holder of the Order of Merit and the Golden Heart of Ukraine award, Danylo Shcherbakov.

The forum then moved on to practical work. During the practical sessions, new formats for interacting with schools were presented, where the general idea of ​​partnership was transformed into specific opportunities. Each session had a clear logic: the results of the preliminary survey, a presentation of the project and its opportunities for the school and students, a practical case, an algorithm for further interaction, and a specific partnership proposal.

The director of the National Center «Zaporizhzhia Regional Center of Polytechnic Education» Tetyana Solovyova presented the university, its educational potential and the concept of the «school-university» partnership ecosystem. It was not only about the possibilities of admission or acquaintance with the university, but also about creating a continuous development space for schoolchildren – from the first educational and professional attempts to the conscious choice of a future profession. The director of the Children’s and Youth Scientific University Olena Nazarova presented the activities of the YUNU, in particular the work of circles, STEM lessons and other formats of involving schoolchildren in science, technology and creative activities.

A feature of the forum was the demonstration of the university’s practical developments – real cases and formats for working with schoolchildren, which already have experience in implementation and can become the basis for new partnership initiatives.

Tetyana Khitrova, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor, Doctor of Philology, spoke about the Center for Gifted Youth.
The startup school «The Future Begins with an Idea» was presented by Andriy Kuts, Associate Professor of the Department of Management and Administration, Vice President of the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The creation of joint STEM projects was presented by Nataliia Furmanova, Dean of the Faculty of Information Security and Electronic Communications, Candidate of Technical Sciences.
How the practical case of the STEM project «Smart House» works was presented by its author Kateryna Bratkovska, Associate Professor of the Department of «Power Supply of Industrial Enterprises», Candidate of Economic Sciences.
The project «Media School» was presented by Nataliia Ostrovska, Head of the Department of Journalism, Candidate of Social Communications.
The project «Try Yourself in a Profession» was presented by Olha Shiyan, Associate Professor of the Department «Criminal, civil and international law.»

This format allowed us not only to present the university’s educational initiatives, but also to propose a system for creating synergy of partnership cooperation, because the school has its own request, the university has resources and expertise, and together we open up new opportunities for students and teachers. This creates constant access for young people to science, technology, entrepreneurship, media, professional experience, teamwork, and the university environment long before they enter. It is this approach that allows a young person to try themselves in different directions, better understand their own interests, and consciously build their future.

This is an investment not only in the educational trajectory of an individual student, but in the future of Zaporizhzhia. Young people who have knowledge, professional competencies and a desire to act will become the basis for the restoration and development of the city and region.

The forum resulted in not only new acquaintances and discussions of educational initiatives. The participants identified promising areas of interaction, outlined opportunities for implementing joint projects, and began the formation of a unified action plan for the 2026–2027 academic year.

From individual events to systemic cooperation. From proposals to joint actions. From student development to the development of Zaporizhzhia.