Productive “Career Days” were held on March 26 and April 10, 2025 at the Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. Among the invited guests were leading representatives of the Ukrainian biotechnology industry: LLC BIOFARMA-PLASMA, the Interdepartmental Scientific and Technological Center of the National Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine AGROBIOTECH, PJSC INDAR Insulin Production, LLC UKRSTARCH.
Such meetings with representatives of enterprises that have long been partners of the University and the Department provide an excellent opportunity for communication with stakeholders. For prospective students of the educational programs in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, they offer valuable insights from industry professionals into the specifics of company operations, the demand for specialists, and the employment and career prospects for KNUTD graduates.
Tetiana Derkach, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies and Olena Mokrousova, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur, addressed the guests and participants of the meeting with a welcoming speech, emphasizing the importance of training biotechnologists and their high demand in the sectors of biopharmaceutics, environmental protection, agricultural sector, etc. Especially in these challenging times of war, KNUTD places great emphasis on the quality of education for the next generation, ensuring that students acquire in-depth knowledge and practical skills to effectively support the human resource needs of domestic enterprises.
Olha Demydenko, representative of “BIOFARMA-PLASMA” LLC, Head of Human Resources Department, gave a high level of profile training to KNUTD. Ms. Demydenko noted that the company is a long-term partner of KNUTD and the Department, it always supports diverse initiatives from the University and joint educational projects, the last of which is the reconstruction of the laboratory and the opening of a new modern bioclass. Olha Demydenko presented an interesting presentation about the formation and development of “BIOPHARMA”, its strategic goals for the future and its place in the world community of enterprises for processing human blood plasma. Encouraging statistics were shared regarding the global volume of plasma processing and the Ukrainian company’s impressive 10th place in the world ranking. Also noteworthy were the export geography and volumes of “BIOPHARMA” products, which now account for 55% of the company’s total biotechnological production.
The participants highly appreciated the information about the social projects of “BIOPHARMA” and the thorough approach to supporting the biological and chemical education of young people on the way from school to university.
Important information for students included the features of internships and the start of a career at “BIOPHARMA-PLASMA”, supported by a list of current job openings. A quiz on the basics of microbiology, chemistry, and cell biology added a fun and engaging element, giving students a taste of what it feels like to be interviewed by a potential employer. Those who answered correctly received a fun gift – a thermal mug with the BIOPHARMA logo – and left with a great mood.
Director of the Interdepartmental Scientific and Technological Center of the National Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine “AGROBIOTECH” Andriy Lytovchenko demonstrated the possibilities of using biotechnological education in the environmental, agricultural and restoration spheres. The company “AGROBIOTECH” specializes in research, development and manufacture of biologically active substances, biostimulants, organic fertilizers for agribusiness, forestry and dendrology with an emphasis on the biotechnological component. Interesting were the achievements of “AGROBIOTECH” in the market of drugs for the protection and stimulation of plant growth, which are developed according to the principles of microbial technologies and are actively exported outside Ukraine. The company is actively involved in addressing man-made pollution, including cleaning urban collectors and treatment facilities, managing petroleum product spills, and disposing of pesticide residues. In light of the ongoing military operations in Ukraine, the protection and restoration of soil conditions have become especially critical areas of focus.
At the end of the speech, Andriy Lytovchenko emphasized the need for specialists with deep knowledge in biotechnology and bioengineering.
The presentations by the representatives of PJSC “Insulin Production Company “INDAR” have already become traditional, and this year they were delivered by Dmytro Shakhnin, Head of the Biopharmaceutical Development Laboratory. This time, Dmytro Shakhnin focused on the biotechnological component in the production of insulin, which was a real demonstration of the use of knowledge in biotechnology and bioengineering in industrial production and a motivating factor for the specialised training of KNUTD students.
The presented organizational structure of the enterprise showcased the wide range of vacancies available for biotechnology graduates and highlighted the specific features of each position, which is a significant advantage when choosing a job based not only on professional expertise but also on personal preferences.
This year, among the invited biotechnological enterprises, the company “UKRSTARCH”, specializing in the production of lysine, “debuted”. The company has been implementing lysine holding technologies since 2021, but the full launch of the production cycle is scheduled for summer 2025. Andriy Replianchuk, Director of the Personnel Management Department, addressed the audience from the company, who presented information about a modern enterprise, production facilities, laboratory equipment and social support for work.
It was especially gratifying to note that graduates of the Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur, who were present at the meeting, are already employed by the company and hold key positions in product quality control and lead the enterprise’s laboratories. Company representatives emphasized the importance of bioengineering education for modern specialists and their strong demand in today’s job market. Prospective students were invited to visit the enterprise in April, take part in internships next year, and consider employment opportunities starting this summer.
Each report of representatives of biotechnological enterprises found support for students, interest in the peculiarities of employment and the list of positions, caused incredible emotions regarding the awareness of the importance of their chosen profession and the demand for future biotechnologists on the labor market.
The Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur sincerely thanks the company representatives for their openness, genuine communication, time dedicated to engaging with KNUTD students, and for their support of prospective students on their path to professional development!
20.04.2025
