Before the celebration of the International Students' Day on November 15, 2024, the V All-Ukrainian Conference of Higher Education Seekers and Young Scientists “Innovation in Education, Science and Business: Challenges and Opportunities” was held at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design with the assistance of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and with the support of the international project “INTREPID-HEI”.
The purpose of the conference was to share research achievements and practical experience in applying innovative developments in education, business and science by higher education seekers, young scientists and entrepreneurs, which is extremely relevant today in the difficult realities of wartime. The conference itself was held in a mixed format in compliance with all security conditions.
The conference was co-organized by the leading higher education institutions of Slovakia, Lithuania, Croatia, Poland (Danube University in Sladkovice, European Institute of Continuing Education, International Academy of Applied Sciences in Lomza, Warsaw School of Management, University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar, Lithuanian Business College), as well as domestic higher education institutions (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Sumy National Agrarian University, Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lviv University of Trade and Economics, Vinnytsia National Technical University, Uzhhorod National University, West Ukrainian National University and others).
The conference included a ceremonial plenary session, announcement of the results and winners of the BEST STARTUP KNUTD 2024 startup project competition, as well as further workshops in the following thematic areas (platforms):
Platform 1. Innovative Development of Education, Culture and Creative Industries of Ukraine in War and Post-War Reconstruction.
Platform 2. Innovation in Science: State and Challenges in Wartime Conditions.
Platform 3. Innovation in Business: Realities and Directions of Cooperation Development in the Conditions of War.
On behalf of the Rector of the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, Doctor of Science in Economics, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology Ivan Gryshchenko, the plenary session of the conference was opened by the Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation of KNUTD, Professor, Doctor of Economic Sciences Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko.
Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko began her speech by thanking the Armed Forces of Ukraine for protecting our country and providing the opportunity to hold the conference, and thanked the audience and the domestic and international co-organizers who joined the conference, noting “...despite the challenges of the modern world and the challenges of wartime, the University is working, students are presenting their innovative projects...”. The Vice-Rector also noted that the analysis of the fifth conference in a row “can show the dynamics of how creatively our students are developing...” and presented the jury of the startup competition.
Prof. Dr. Ireneusz Żuchowski, Rector of the International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża, delivered a welcoming speech to the conference participants from Poland, who said that “...we are pleasantly surprised and very pleased that the University is very active in scientific and educational activities despite the war...”, thanked the Rector and Vice-Rector for their assistance in writing and implementing the Erasmus+ project, and also noted the extreme relevance of the conference topic and emphasized that artificial intelligence would become the engine of innovation in the future.
Another international colleague from Poland, Doctor of Economics, President of the Warsaw School of Management Waldemar Gajda, joined the greetings and participated in the conference. Dr. Waldemar sincerely thanked KNUTD Rector Ivan Gryshchenko “…for the long-term cooperation between our institutions”, which contributes to the unification of economic and management areas of student education, and noted that now, in the context of the war, it is important for Ukraine to preserve opportunities for student education, as well as to create conditions for innovation and development of entrepreneurial competencies in students.
Ganna Tolstanova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Vice-Rector for Research at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, addressed the scientific and business community of the conference with sincere greetings, noting “...the importance of cooperation between classical universities...and applied universities for the development of innovations in Ukrainian universities.” Dr. Tolstanova emphasized the need for synergy between basic science, which is strong in classical universities, and the “baggage” of opportunities and powerful knowledge on the implementation of scientific results in real business, which is available in applied universities, such as Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.
As part of the conference, Yuriy Danko, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities of Sumy National Agrarian University, addressed the audience and congratulated everyone on the fifth anniversary of the conference and noted the quantitative and qualitative growth of the startup competition. He noted that “...it's nice that over these 5 years many startups have been implemented in practice...” and wished all the participants interesting reports and creative inspiration.
Irina Azhaman, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work of the Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, a representative of KNUTD's long-term partner, also joined the welcoming speech, thanking for the opportunity to join new creative ideas in the circle of scientists, business and youth, and noting that “...over the years of participation in this conference, participation in the startup review... there has been a huge increase in the quality and creativity of the startups prepared by students,” the startup projects themselves relate to both the present and the development of Ukraine in the future after our victory.
The conference participants received extraordinary support, words of congratulations, and wishes of victory from other long-term international and domestic partners of the University, representing higher education institutions and new representatives of the KNUTD business community who joined the conference. In particular, the plenary session was also attended by:
Sanja Gongeta – PhD, Associate Professor, Vice Dean for Scientific Work, Research and International Cooperation, University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar, Croatia;
Yuriy Burennikov – Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, International Cooperation and Youth Policy, Vinnytsia National Technical University, Ukraine;
Jozef ZAŤKO – Doctor of Law, President of the European Institute of Continuing Education, Doctor of Philosophy, Honorary Doctor, Honorary Professor, LL.M, MBA, Slovak Republic;
Simona Grigaliūnienė – Doctor of Science, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Applied Research, Lithuanian Business College, Republic of Lithuania;
Peter Plavčan – Professor, Rector of the Danube University in Sladkovice, Slovak Republic;
Dmytro Voychenko – CEO at Soft Industry Alliance Ltd, Ukraine;
Oleksandr Tereshchenko – General Director of Polissia Production and Experimental Plant LLC, Director of Polissia Chickens Poultry Breeding Complex LLC, Ukraine;
Olena Ptashchenko – Doctor of Economics, Professor, Professor of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Trade, Western Ukrainian National University, Ukraine.
As part of the conference plenary session, the winners of the BEST STARTUP KNUTD 2024 startup project competition were announced. The results of the competition were announced by Prof. Ptashchenko.
There were 40 startups presented for open voting by students of KNUTD and other universities of Ukraine. Among them, by open voting (1734 votes in total), the competition committee selected the top ten startup projects for evaluation, which included the following startups:
Startup 1 fridge
Startup 5 Innovative nanomaterials for burn treatment
Startup 7 Educational center FinFuture
Startup 8 Information system of student cafe for KNUTD
Startup 9 The use of biomass generators in war conditions
Startup 10 Care Plant
Startup 12 Tactical jacket for special purpose
Startup 15 WITHOUT LIMITS
Startup 34 D&V
Startup 36 Game HUB.
The competition committee selected the winners among these 10 best startups.
This year's winners were topical applied innovations in IT, developments for protection and security during military operations, upcycling, nanomaterials, and inclusive technological solutions. We are grateful to student science for its development and motivation:
The first place was divided:
Startup Project 5. Innovative nanomaterials for burn treatment
Authors: Huseynova Kristina Elshan kizy,
Potupa Vladyslava,
Petrukh Anastasiia,
Kosynska Tamara.
Academic supervisor: Iryna Voloshyna.
Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/8lda9E_lytE
Startup Project 10. Care Plant
Authors: Synchuk Andrii,
Daniil Nevgadovskyi.
Academic supervisor: Ievseitseva Olena.
Faculty of Management and Business Design of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/RJjlQqt9IAU
The second place was divided:
Startup Project 34. D&V
Authors: Bolshak Daria,
Khomenko Valeriia.
Academic supervisor: Kugai Kseniia.
Institute of Law and Modern Technologies of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/zZsddzLSLOE
Startup Project 12. Tactical jacket for special purpose
Author: Kondakova Valeriia.
Academic supervisors: Lozovenko Svitlana, Bilotska Larysa.
Faculty of Arts and Fashion KNUTD
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/l_HwvdRZmNI
ІІІ місце – Startup Project 15. WITHOUT LIMITS
Authors: Baryliuk Daryna,
Khambir Anna,
Tretiak Yulia,
Lemeshev Anton.
Academic supervisor: Akhmedova Olena.
Institute of Culture and Creative Industries KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/jfzt5XkLmOQ
Within the framework of the startup project competition, additional winners were determined in the nomination “Students' Choice” by open voting, according to the results of which the winner was also Startup project 5 Innovative nanomaterials for burn treatment (authors: Huseynova Kristina Elshan kizy, Potupa Vladyslava, Petrukh Anastasiia, Kosynska Tamara. Supervisor: Iryna Voloshyna).
At the end of the plenary session, Vice-Rector Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko thanked all the participants, once again congratulated the students on their day and wished them creative inspiration and a peaceful sky.
After a short break, the conference's breakout sessions began.
After the plenary session of the V All-Ukrainian Conference of Higher Education Seekers and Young Scientists “Innovation in Education, Science and Business: Challenges and Opportunities”, the work continued at the sectional meeting of the joint conference platforms, namely Platform 1. Innovative Development of Education, Culture and Creative Industries of Ukraine in War and Post-War Reconstruction and Platform 2. Innovation in Science: State and Challenges in Wartime Conditions, where students of all levels of higher education and young scientists demonstrated the results of research under the guidance of leading university scientists. More than 35 people took part in the conference sectional meeting.
The moderator of the meeting, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion of KNUTD Natalia Ostapenko, sincerely congratulated the talented young people and emphasized the courage, professionalism, and commitment to the ideals of education and science demonstrated by Ukrainian higher education seekers and teachers in the conditions of war. She noted that the event, despite all the difficulties and threats of wartime, is being held on the eve of International Students' Day as part of the anniversary conference.
The meeting featured 11 informative reports by participants accompanied by extensive presentation materials that aroused great interest. The conference participants discussed a wide range of issues on topical, rather broad topics, including the innovative development of science, education, cultural and creative industries of Ukraine in the context of the realities of war and post-war reconstruction. The section featured online presentations by:
‒ Kruchok Yelyzaveta on “Development of concept art for a 3D model based on the game World of Warcraft”;
‒ Daria Kaptiurova on the topic “Prospects for the introduction of innovative technologies in the production of orthopedic footwear in Ukraine”;
‒ Lazariv Yevheniia, Molodan Anastasiia on “Development of virtual clothing models in CLO 3D”;
‒ Olga Kovalenko, Anastasia Bovsunovska on the topic “Development of knitted materials intended for the manufacture of children's adaptive clothing”;
‒ Mykyta Bilous on “Game elements in mobile fitness applications: the way to long-term motivation”;
‒ Olga Zalevska on the topic “Adaptation of English borrowings in the terminology system of information technologies of the Ukrainian literary language”;
‒ Cherniag Olga, Bocharova O. S. on “Innovative approaches to polymer processing”;
‒ Semenchenko Violetta, Buimister Oleksandra on the topic “Design of educational spaces in the conditions of post-war recovery”;
‒ Kostenko Artem, Protchenko Alyona on “Polymeric materials for medical purposes filled with silver nanoparticles”;
‒ Gvozdinska Iryna, Kvashnina Y., Olkhovyk A. on “Modern trends in graphic design”;
‒ Andrii Berdnikov on the topic “The future of state education of designers in Ukraine: causes, consequences, prospects”.
The audience remained active and interested until the last report of the conference. It is worth noting the breadth of thinking and the unquenchable desire for new knowledge of higher education students. Summarizing the work of the sectional meeting, it should be noted the high scientific level of the presented research, inspired and fruitful work, friendly discussion, and sincere gratitude to the participants and scientific advisers: Lyudmyla Halavska, Ivan Dzyra, Ruslana Bezugliy, Liliia Chertenko, Iryna Makeieva, Danyla Kosenko, Alla Rubanka, Olena Vasylieva, Olena Sliitiuk, Tymofii Lipskyi, Dmytro Patlun, and Executive Secretary Olena Yershova, Head of the Information Support and Technology Transfer Department of KNUTD. She noted that such an event promotes the development of research skills of higher education students and young scientists, communication and cooperation in the scientific environment.
Within the framework of Platform 3 of the Conference “Innovation in Business: Realities and Directions for the Development of Cooperation in the Time of War”, reports of higher education seekers of the first (bachelor's), second (master's) and third (doctoral) levels of higher education were presented. The moderator was Mariana Shkoda, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Business Design, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Assoc. Prof.
In particular, among the best reports on the platform were those of:
- Dmytro Bondarenko, a postgraduate student of the Department of Finance and Business Consulting on the topic “Problems of attracting foreign investors in the reconstruction of Ukraine: Financial Aspects”;
- Amet Lyumanov, a postgraduate student of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Business, on “Startups as a catalyst for the development of small businesses in Ukraine”,
- Victoria Shvydka, a master of the Department of Finance and Business Consulting, on “Managing Currency Risks of a Commercial Bank”,
- Anastasia Pika, a bachelor of the Department of Private and Public Law, on “The Impact of War on Innovation Processes in Business”.
The presentations were devoted to topical issues ranging from trends in the management of currency risks of commercial banks during martial law and the problems of attracting foreign investors in the current economic environment to the study of the impact of the war on the development of the start-up movement in Ukraine and, accordingly, on the innovative processes taking place in business.
The V All-Ukrainian Conference of Higher Education Seekers and Young Scientists "Innovation in Education, Science and Business: Challenges and Opportunities" is a platform for the development of the startup movement both at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design and in our country, which is gaining momentum every year, motivating active innovative youth to new scientific achievements and achievements, confirming the entrepreneurial format of KNUTD in action, when cooperation between the state, science, education and business is a synergistic quadrangle of knowledge of innovative development.
We sincerely thank the co-organizers and participants, guests and stakeholder partners of the conference.
Keeping the educational and scientific front, together – to Victory!!
Everything will be Ukraine!
25.11.2024
