On May 19–20, 2026, the leading specialist of the National Contact Point «Research Infrastructures» at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University, Myroslava Shchedynyna, took part in the Thematic Summit of the RIFF project – «Research Infrastructures for the Future of Ukraine: Roadmap for Sustained Growth and Recovery», which took place in the city Krakow (Poland).

The event was held on the basis of the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Center — one of the most modern research complexes in Europe, which functions as part of the Jagiellonian University. The summit was devoted to issues of development of research infrastructures for the future of Ukraine, strengthening of international scientific cooperation and restoration of the state’s scientific and research potential. The summit brought together representatives of scientific institutions, specialized experts and international partners around a common vision of the sustainable development of science as an inseparable component of Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

The summit program was structured in accordance with the scientific directions of ESFRI (European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures). This year’s event focused on 3 key domains: Energy (ENE), Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE). The opening of the summit was accompanied by a welcome speech by the director of the SOLARIS center Jakub Shlahetka, a presentation of the RIFF project by the coordinator Ondrzej Gradil (Masaryk University) and a report by Michal Mlynarczyk (SOLARIS center) about the ecosystem of research infrastructures in Europe. After the plenary opening, the work continued in parallel thematic sections. The interactive format combined reports of the heads of leading research infrastructures with panel discussions on current challenges and provided an in-depth study of the issues of integration of Ukrainian research infrastructures into the European Research Area (ERA).

During the summit, special attention was paid to the «Road map for the restoration and development of the research infrastructure of Ukraine» – a key result of the RIFF project, designed to serve as a strategic reference point for national funding and a reliable coordination tool for international donors. The RIFF project is financed by the EU framework program «Horizon Europe» and coordinated by Masaryk University (Czech Republic) with the participation of a wide consortium of European and Ukrainian partners, in particular four scientific institutions and organizations of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The RIFF summit became an important platform for presenting the scientific potential of Ukraine, working out ways of integration with ESFRI research infrastructures and establishing new international partnerships — both for the development of scientific research potential and for the sustainable recovery of the country. The results of the summit will have a direct impact on the formation of national priorities in the RIFF Roadmap, and therefore on the prospects for the development of the Ukrainian scientific infrastructure as a whole.

Experience gained during the summit, established contacts with leading European research organizations and in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of formation of the «RIFF Road Map» open a real perspective for Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University to enter this strategic document. The inclusion of the university in the Roadmap of research infrastructures of Ukraine will mean official recognition of its scientific potential at the level of the European Research Area, access to international funding and the opportunity to become a full member of pan-European research consortia. For a university located in a region directly affected by the war, this is not only a scientific ambition – it is a strategic tool for recovery and development, able to attract international resources, retain research personnel and lay the foundation for the post-war revival of the region through science and innovation!

In May, the Department of Psychology joined as a partner-co-organizer in conducting a psychological workshop for teenagers on the development of critical and creative thinking «Six Hats» from the Center for Helping the Rescued of Zaporizhzhia.

On May 21, an online workshop was held for students of the «Baida» Youth Movement. During the session, the speaker, a psychologist at the Center for Helping the Rescued in Zaporizhzhia, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology, Tetyana Borodulkina, introduced the participants to the «Six Thinking Hats» method, which was proposed at the end of the last century by the British writer, psychologist, and creative thinking specialist Edward de Bono.

In the process of completing small practical tasks, by symbolically «putting on» «6 hats», that is, six different thinking strategies, they learned to look at any problem or life situation from six different sides.

Thank you to the Center for Assistance to the Survivors of Zaporizhzhia for the opportunity to join the psycho-emotional support of children, adolescents and youth during the war! Thank you to each and every one for your active participation!

The Center for Assistance to Rescued Persons in Zaporizhzhia was created on the initiative of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, with the assistance of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, in partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, thanks to the financial support of the governments of Austria, Belgium, Spain, and Sweden in cooperation with local authorities and the NGO «Association of Women Ambassadors of Ukraine».

Associate professors of the department of software tools of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Tetyana Kolpakova and Serhiy Leoshchenko visited the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) as part of short-term academic mobility.

Cooperation between the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic and the Catholic University of Leuven has been going on for over 14 years and is an important component of the development of international academic partnership, scientific exchange and the introduction of modern educational approaches in the field of information technologies.

This time the visit was organized with the aim of developing new areas of cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, applied intelligent systems and embedded AI solutions. Teachers gave lectures for students and took part in an international scientific and methodical seminar dedicated to modern trends in the development of applied and embedded artificial intelligence.

Serhii Leoshchenko presented a lecture on the topic «Machine learning methods and tools for development automated diagnostics systems for nonlinear technical systems», dedicated to the application of machine learning methods for the creation of automated systems for the diagnosis of complex technical systems.

During Tetyana Kolpakova’s lecture «From Data Analytics to Predictive UX: Designing User-Centered AI Systems», modern approaches to combining data analytics, UX design and intelligent AI systems focused on user needs were considered.

Representatives of the software department also worked together with the eAVISE research group under the leadership of Professor Toon Goedemé, whose activities are focused on research in the field of computer vision, audio recognition and embedded artificial intelligence. Participants of academic mobility exchanged experience with European colleagues, got acquainted with the modern material and technical base of the university, innovative laboratories and current educational practices of training specialists in the field of IT and AI.

As a result of the meetings, the parties reached agreements on the development of joint research projects in the field of artificial intelligence, embedded AI and intelligent data analysis systems, as well as discussed the prospects for the implementation of double degree programs and further expansion of academic and scientific cooperation between universities.

A separate part of the program was an invitation to the inaugural lectures of the newly appointed professors of the university, which gave an opportunity to get acquainted with current scientific trends and the modern academic culture of one of the leading universities in Europe.

The expansion of international cooperation with leading European universities opens up new opportunities for the implementation of joint scientific and educational initiatives, integration into the international academic space and the development of modern technological directions in Ukraine!

On May 14, a mixed format panel discussion «Sports law: real needs and experience of the State University of Youth and Sports in designing educational programs» was held at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University. The event was supported by the Zaporizhzhia Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and the Department of Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The discussion brought together representatives of the sports and legal community, teachers, students, coaches, athletes, heads of children’s and youth sports schools and specialists in the field of physical culture and sports. The participants discussed the current challenges of the development of sports law in Ukraine, the issue of legal protection of athletes and coaches, as well as the prospects of integrating legal competences into the educational process.

Pro-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Prospects of University Development Ruslan Kulikovskyi addressed those present with a welcoming speech. The event was moderated by Svitlana Kokareva, dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports Management.

Participating in the panel discussion was Nataliya Kovalenko, Deputy Executive Director of the NOC of Ukraine and Deputy Chairman of the Sports Arbitration Court at the NOC of Ukraine, Head of the Department of Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of Zaporizhzhia OVA Oleksandr Zlobenets, Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Branch of the NOC of Ukraine Nataliya Vlasova, Head of the Department of Constitutional, Administrative and Labor Law Ruslana Maksakova, Lawyer of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Branch of the NOC of Ukraine Dmytro Maistro, the bronze medalist of the 2012 Olympic Games Olesya Povkh, as well as the head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports Management Vasyl Mazin.

During the discussion, the participants paid attention to the practical aspects of sports law. Among the key topics are legal support for the activities of the Youth Sports Academy and sports federations, labor relations in the sports field, contractual practice, anti-doping policy, a safe sports environment and the protection of athletes’ rights.

Special interest was aroused by the speeches of experts who shared real cases from sports practice. It was about drawing up contracts, the responsibility of the organizers of sports events, insurance of athletes, the participation of minors in competitions and the specifics of resolving sports disputes. The speakers emphasized that a modern specialist in the field of sports should possess not only professional knowledge, but also basic legal literacy.

Participants paid special attention to updating the educational programs of the «Physical Culture and Sports» and «Law» specialties. During the discussion, it was discussed the need for an interdisciplinary approach, the introduction of practical cases into the educational process, holding joint classes for law students and future specialists in the sports industry, as well as the involvement of experts from the NOC of Ukraine, federations and sports organizations in educational activities.

An open dialogue with students, coaches and representatives of sports institutions became an important part of the event. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions to experts about the protection of athletes’ rights, the work of sports organizations, anti-doping rules and legal support of professional activities in the field of sports.

According to the results of the panel discussion, the parties outlined the prospects for further cooperation. In particular, it is about the development of educational initiatives in the field of sports law, guest lectures, practical meetings with specialized experts, creation of interdisciplinary educational components and strengthening of partnership between the university, sports federations and NOCs of Ukraine.

We work together — we develop together!

On April 23-24, the head of the National Contact Point «Research Infrastructures» Dmytro Pavlenko and the leading specialist Myroslava Shchedinina took part in the international brokerage event SMI2G-2026 (Security Mission Information & Innovation Group Event), which took place in Paris.

SMI2G–2026 is one of the key European brokerage events dedicated to security research and innovation within the Horizon Europe program. The event is organized by the EARTO Security Research Working Group together with CMINE (Civil Security Mission Innovation Network Europe) and traditionally brings together European innovators and practitioners to find partners, create consortia, and present innovative ideas and technologies.

The two-day program was opened by Marcel van Berlo, a representative of the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research. Cédric Guillon-Lavoca, Deputy General Director for European and International Strategies of the Ile-de-France region, made a welcome speech. Among the key speakers of the event: Yannis Skiadaresis, representative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs, with a report on promoting EU security through foresight, research and innovation in the context of the new Multiannual Financial Plan; Lukasz Shklarski (ITTI, Poland) with a presentation of the CHIMERA project; Maciej Tush, President and CEO of Magnitude Innovations, with a report on engineering and artificial intelligence.

Thematic sessions covered key directions of the security cluster: society’s resilience to disasters, infrastructure protection, border management, fight against crime and terrorism, cyber security. The panel discussion «From Innovation to Impact» brought together representatives of the law enforcement sector, civil protection, scientific institutions and innovative business from various EU countries. Special brokerage sessions and networking allowed participants to hold bilateral meetings and discuss specific opportunities for future cooperation.

During the event, representatives of NCP «Research Infrastructures» held a series of negotiations with leading European research organizations and innovative companies. New contacts were established with potential partners from EU countries who expressed interest in scientific and technical cooperation with Ukrainian research institutions. The possibilities of forming joint international consortia for submitting applications for competitions of the «Horizon Europe» program have been worked out.

The participation of NCP «Research Infrastructures» in this event is part of the systematic work on the integration of Ukrainian research organizations into the European research space and ensuring access to the most modern European research programs.

NCP «Research Infrastructures» continues to actively promote the participation of Ukrainian scientists and organizations in prestigious European projects, providing professional support and advice on opportunities for international scientific cooperation within the framework of the world’s largest research and innovation funding program!

On May 11–13, the International Conference on Smart Innovations in Energy and Mechanical Systems — SIEMS–2026 was held at the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University. The event brought together over 200 participants from 32 higher education institutions, research institutions and enterprises in Ukraine and 9 countries around the world. The conference was attended by scientists, researchers, representatives of industry, business and education. The conference was held in a mixed format — offline in Zaporizhzhia and online via a virtual platform.

The goal of the event was to bring together the scientific community and representatives of the industrial sector to discuss current research, present practical solutions, and develop innovations in the field of mechanics, energy, and engineering.

The opening ceremony of the conference was held by the rector of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Viktor Greshta and associate professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology Pavlo Tryshyn. During the plenary session, leading scientists, representatives of international universities, engineering companies and industrial enterprises from Germany, Poland, Great Britain, the USA, Belgium and Ukraine presented their reports.

The organizers of SIEMS–2026 were the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, Stuttgart University, Gdansk University of Technology, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Cardiff University, International Association for Technological Development and Innovation (IATDI), GPMS International Inc, Springer Nature Publishing House, MOTOR SICH JSC, Ivchenko-Progress JSC, Iskra JSC and the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Over three days, participants presented research in the fields of machine learning, automated control systems, robotics, energy security, electromechanical systems, advanced materials, and mechanical process modeling. Significant attention was paid to the digitalization of production, the introduction of innovations into industry, and the development of international scientific partnerships.

SIEMS–2026 has become a powerful international platform for discussing modern technologies, innovative solutions and development prospects in energy, mechanical engineering, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, aerospace systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. According to the results of the review, 34 articles were selected from 70 submitted scientific papers and presented during the conference. The materials of SIEMS–2026 are planned to be published in the international series Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems published by Springer Nature.

SIEMS–2026 once again confirmed the status of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University as a modern scientific and educational center that actively supports international cooperation, the development of science, and the introduction of advanced technologies. Working together, we develop together!

With the organizational support of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, Donetsk National University named after Vasyl Stus, National Technical University «Dnipro Polytechnic», the All-Ukrainian Olympiad in English and Computer Science was held on the basis of the National Technical University of Ukraine «Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute».

Over 400 students of various courses and specialties participated, including representatives of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic: students of the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology – Kostyantyn Serebryanikov (KNT-125), Illia Lyashenko (KNT-515), Illia Simichov (KNT-115), Maksym Teslya (KNT-125), Kateryna Kalynovska (KNT-213), Yana Tsymbal (KNT-213), Mykhailo Ushakov (KNT-133), Faculty of Electrical Engineering – Oleksiy Ryabchuk (E-613), Kseniya Kulkova (E-613), Oleksiy Titarenko (E-613), Faculty of Transport – Kateryna Ganzha (T-315), Diana Iskova (T-315), Timur Ivashchenko (T-315), Faculty of Construction, Architecture and Design – Yana Lytvyn (BAD-813), Agata Myrhorodska (BAD–534), Faculty of Business Technologies and Economics — Denys Makeyev (BTU–1815), Faculty of Law — Ivan Yarmolytskyi (Yu–114), Faculty of Information Security and Electronic Communications — Dmytro Fokin (BK–914).

According to the results of the evaluation, two of our students won:
2nd place among first-year students — Kostiantyn Serebryanikov (KNT–125)
2nd place among senior students — Oleksiy Ryabchuk (E–613)

The winners were prepared by the acting head of the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, Nataliia Zhukova.

Congratulations on your achievements! We wish you creative inspiration and new victories!

On May 13, the team of the Energy-Innovation Hub of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University visited the Energy-Innovation Hub of KPI named after Ihor Sikorsky (Sikorsky Energy Innovation Hub). The delegation included vice-rector Andrii Ivanchenko, dean of the electrical engineering faculty Mykola Antonov, EnInhab manager Dmytro Shcherbinina and administrator Liliya Bilozub.

To the EnInhab team of KPI named after Ihor Sikorskyi was headed by Olena Shevchenko. She gladly presented the activities of the Hub, which was established in February 2024 as a modern scientific and educational center for energy decarbonization. The goal of the Hub is to combine educational, scientific and innovative resources to improve energy efficiency. It is a platform for learning, demonstration of the latest technologies and cooperation between business and university.

They toured the renovated premises of EnInHab of KPI – a separate two-story building with modern equipment and design, which is planned to be inaugurated for new projects in the near future.

And also got acquainted with the results of cooperation with business – branded and equipped with the latest equipment classrooms of the department of heat and alternative energy and the department of power supply of KPI named after Ihor Sikorskyi: Viesmann, DTEK, Vaillant, Bosch, Danfoss, RSE, E-Next.

During the meeting, the parties agreed on the intentions of joint implementation of the projects. Combining our efforts and resources opens up more opportunities to achieve significant results in the field of energy innovation!

On May 12-13, the team of the Energy and Innovation Hub of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University, consisting of vice-rector Andriy Ivanchenko, dean of the electrical engineering faculty Mykola Antonov, EnInhub manager Dmytro Shcherbinin and administrator Lilia Bilozub, took part in the work of the main engineering exhibition of Ukraine «AQUATHERM KYIV® 2026» at the International Exhibition Center in Kyiv.

This is the 27th exhibition of energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning, water supply, industrial cooling, renewable energy, plumbing and swimming pools. Every year, thousands of specialists come precisely to Aquatherm Kyiv, because here is the strongest concentration of technologies, suppliers and ready-made solutions for the tasks of various fields.

According to the program of the event, the International exhibition and conference of sustainable energy recovery of Ukraine UA Energy was held, which brought together representatives of the authorities, Ukrainian and international business, investors, financial institutions and technological leaders to build a modern, independent and safe energy system of Ukraine. The following topics were discussed:
– key changes in approaches to the development of the energy system of Ukraine
– the role of distributed and highly maneuverable generation in ensuring the stability of the energy system
– priority directions for attracting investments

The program covered the full cycle of creating sustainable energy independence. The speakers of the event are practitioners who directly implement the most complex energy projects in Ukraine:
– Solar. Modern technical and financial solutions for the construction of SES
– BESS. Strategic investment in one’s own energy security and autonomy
– Energy Networks. Joining, trading, energy islands

Representatives of the Polytechnic received a unique opportunity to hear the analysis of real cases, discuss regulatory changes and find partners for the implementation of their own energy projects.

We work together — we develop together!

Zaporizka Polytechnic University and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FH Dortmund, Germany) within the framework of the joint DAAD Project and Innovation Management for Ukraine (UA4PIM) invite students to participate in the Virtual Cross-Border Innovation Project.

The initiative provides the following opportunities for students:
– work on technical, social, business, or environmental innovation projects
– development of ideas for a startup
– work in an international interdisciplinary team (3–5 students in a team)
– work in a professional online cooperation (lectures, workshops)
– presentation of student teams’ work to an expert jury

Working language: English
Format: online
The start of the program is planned for the end of May

The registration deadline is May 20 at the link https://url.zp.edu.ua/re67v

More details about the project: https://url.zp.edu.ua/of5k1

Expanding horizons together with Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic!

May 12, acting Sofya Stepanenko, head of the educational department, attended the launch of the Council of Europe HELP tutoring course «Rights of people with disabilities», which was held in Kyiv.

During the launch, registration for the course was started, and the following topics were also discussed:
– rules of employment and work of people with disabilities
– from policy to practice: the role of civil society in creating a barrier-free space in Ukraine (nothing about us without us)
– barrier-freeness in the educational space: the experience of higher education institutions
– ethics and communication with people with hearing impairment
– presentation of the Council of Europe platform HELP and the project «HELP (Education in the field of human rights for lawyers) for Ukraine, in particular during the war»
– presentation of the project of the Council of Europe «Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine»
– introduction to the course «Rights of people with disabilities»

The course was organized by the National Civil Service Agency of Ukraine, the Higher School of Public Administration, within the framework of the Council of Europe projects «HELP (Human Rights Education for Lawyers) for Ukraine, including during the war, Phase II» and «Strengthening the social dimension in Ukraine».

We work together — we develop together!

On May 8, a meeting of students of the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, Faculty of Humanities and James Madison University (Virginia, USA) took place, dedicated to the issue of the role of academic integrity in the educational process and the formation of the ethical culture of modern students.

The participants discussed the principles of academic integrity and the specifics of their implementation in Ukrainian and American universities, drew attention to the importance of honesty, responsibility, independence and mutual respect in the modern educational environment.

Students of the department of foreign philology and translation shared their own experience of observing the principles of academic ethics during their studies, talked about the peculiarities of completing educational and scientific tasks, using information resources, observing the rules of academic writing and correct citation, and together with their American friends, they analyzed potential situations of academic challenges and outlined ways to solve them virtuously.

For active participation in the work of round tables and the course-initiative on correspondence (Pen Pal Initiative), which contributed to the development and improvement of writing and communication skills, students of the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation and the Faculty of Humanities received certificates of participants in the international cooperation program. This is an important mark of an active position in the development of international cooperation and the desire for professional and personal development of students of our university!

Student feedback on participation in the 2025-2026 academic year program “Building a Students’ Bridge between America and Ukraine:

I really liked the structure of the meetings and their topics, which were always thoughtfully selected. I also appreciated the kindness and friendliness of the American students we met. I also enjoyed corresponding with the students, as it allowed us to discuss various topics and discover common interests. I was glad to take part in this program. Wish the American ladies good luck with their exams and a great summer holiday ahead!

Kateryna Gerasimchuk (GF-415)

I really liked the program. During the round tables, we had the opportunity to hear native speakers and practice English in a real intercultural environment. As for the correspondence, I really liked it. It was easier to express my thoughts and discuss them with the interlocutor. The person I spoke to was interesting: she talked about life in America, their education system and her own experiences. It was a really valuable experience.

Maryna Fomenko (ГФ-415)

Personally, I really enjoyed communicating with the girls and learning about the specific features of their studies. It was interesting to hear about their academic experience, study routines, and approaches to learning, which also gave me a broader perspective on student life in another country.

Taisia ​​Sergienko (ГФ–313)

It was particularly interesting for me to listen and compare the pronunciation of English speakers from different countries – the British participant David Wills and the American students. This is really valuable experience for translators and philologists.

Dmytro Kutsenko (ГФ-313):

We sincerely appreciate this meaningful collaboration and the opportunity to discuss important issues in education and student life between Ukrainian and American academic environments. We truly enjoyed exchanging ideas and learning from the experiences of Ukrainian students. This interaction was very valuable for us and helped us better understand different academic perspectives!

Caffall Michaelena & Goodiel, Kaia (James Madison University)

Thank you all for participating!