On the occasion of the International Student Day, November 18, 2025, at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and international projects K2 – SEAL-NR “Skills Enrichment for Adaptive Leadership in the New Reality” and IMPACT-Campus: Knowledge Valorization Centres for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation, the International Conference of Higher Education Seekers and Young Scientists “Innovation in Education, Science, and Business: Challenges and Opportunities” took place.
The purpose of the conference was to exchange scientific achievements and practical experience in applying innovative developments in education, business, and science by higher education students, young scientists, and entrepreneurial structures, which is extremely relevant today in the difficult realities of wartime. The conference work was held in a mixed format with adherence to all safety conditions.
Co-organizers of the conference included leading higher education institutions and organizations from Slovakia, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Moldova (Danube University in Sladkovicevo, European Institute of Continuing Education, Warsaw School of Management, Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička” in Vukovar, Technical University of Moldova, Steinbeis Transfer Foundation Technology Transfer Center East-West Cooperation), as well as domestic higher education institutions (L.M. Litvinenko Institute of Physical-Organic and Coal Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lviv Trade and Economic University, West Ukrainian National University), representatives of the business community, including the Educational Investment and Technological Cluster of the Light Industry, LLC “RA.DA”, LLC “Dana-moda”, Office of International and Project Activities, and the Scientific Society of Students and Postgraduate Students of the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.
The work of the plenary session began with greetings from the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Activity of KNUTD, Doctor of Science in Technical Sciences, Professor Volodymyr Statsenko, who announced the conference work schedule, emphasized safety measures and the action plan in case of an air raid alert, and invited acting rector of KNUTD, Doctor of Science in Economics, Professor Oleksandra Olshanska to the welcoming speech.
Prof. Oleksandra Olshanska warmly welcomed the participants, guests, and organizers of the conference at its opening, noting that the previous day, November 17, the world celebrated International Students' Day and congratulated higher education seekers on this holiday, wishing them success in their studies, inspiration in future research, and a speedy Victory and peace for all.
In her welcoming speech Ms. Oleksandra reminded students of the importance of student years, which “...are the best time given to a person for learning and development”, noted the large number of this year’s conference participants and co-organizers both from Ukraine and abroad. The acting rector also emphasized the already traditional part of the conference work dedicated to the development of the startup movement among students, in particular, she told about the record number of applications submitted for participation in the startup contest and their focus on solving current problems and challenges of today. Ms. Oleksandra wished everyone interesting discussions, inspiration, and scientific achievements.
With a welcoming speech to the conference participants, the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Activity (Educational Activity) of KNUTD, Doctor of Science in Economics, Professor Alla Kasych spoke, who noted that this student conference is traditional for the university and serves as a platform for students to try their hand at developing their own creative ideas. Professor Kasych told about the importance of participation in international research projects for both scientists and youth and presented two important projects for the university that are being implemented “...in the context of developing entrepreneurial skills of students”: the project under the Erasmus+ program “K2 – SEAL-NR Skills Enrichment for Adaptive Leadership in the New Reality” and the project under the Horizon program “IMPACT-Campus: Knowledge Valorization Centres for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation”.
The conference participants were sincerely greeted by the Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation of KNUTD, Doctor of Science in Economics, Professor Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko, who emphasized the traditionality of holding this conference, the annual growth in the number of startup movement initiatives from students, which in total over the last six years amounted to more than 300 startup initiatives, thanked all colleague-scientists who joined the conference work, and also wished the students fruitful ideas, good plans, realization of goals in life.
At the plenary session, the following also delivered welcoming speeches and reports:
Jürgen Raizner – Director of the Steinbeis Transfer Center Steinbeis-Danube Center, Federal Republic of Germany;
Waldemar Gajda – Doctor of Economic Sciences, President of Warsaw Management School – Graduate and Postgraduate School, Republic of Poland;
Sanja Gongeta – PhD, Associate Professor, Vice-Rector of the University of Applied Sciences “Lavoslav Ružička”, Republic of Croatia;
Nataliia Gudzenko – Dr., Associate Professor of the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Federal Republic of Germany;
Liubov Vakhitova – PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Leading Research Fellow of the L.M. Litvinenko Institute of Physical-Organic and Coal Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine;
Valentina Frunze – Program coordinator Erasmus+ Centre, Lecturer, Faculty of Design of the Technical University of Moldova, Republic of Moldova;
Olena Ptashchenko – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Trade, West Ukrainian National University, Ukraine;
Zhanna Zhygalkevych – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Acting Head of the Department of Industrial Marketing of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Ukraine.
The moderator of the plenary session of the conference was Head of the Information Support and Technology Transfer Department, responsible secretary of the conference, PhD, Olena Yershova.
The conference work included a solemn plenary session, announcement of results and winners of the startup project contest “BEST STARTUP KNUTD 2025”, as well as further sectional work of the conference participants in the following thematic directions (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.
Within the framework of the plenary session work, the winners of the startup project contest “BEST STARTUP KNUTD 2025” were announced.
In total, 46 student startups from KNUTD and other Ukrainian higher education institutions were presented for open voting. Among them, through open voting (a total of 1065 votes), ten best startup projects were selected for further evaluation by the competition commission, which included the following startups:
Startup 5 Solar 3D Printing Saves Lives (Authors: Tsybulenko D.A., Kletsko P.V.).
Startup 8 FLEXI-HAND (Authors: Bublyk A.G., Korytna A.S., Lozian A.L., Snizhynska D.I., Solop I.V., Filinova D.A.).
Startup 10 Selfory (Authors: Bolshak D.K., Khomenko V.O.).
Startup 13 Insoles for Military with Smart Heating Technology (Authors: Kovalenko I.I., Saulenko V.V., Filatova O.M.).
Startup 15 Terrasynthesis (Authors: Oleynikov N.M. (NUBiP), Novosad B.P. (KNUTD)).
Startup 22 ShadowMind (Author: Nikitina A.Yu.).
Startup 29 QuickUp (Authors: Gorb D.A., Ignatushko A.V.).
Startup 34 Floors of Connections (Authors: Samoilenko K.V., Pleshkan Ye.A., Sushko K.V.).
Startup 35 Taste of Hospitality (Authors: Sosedko M.V., Romanova V.O., Khrypunova V.O., Davidenko K.I., Plotnitska T.M.).
Startup 42 PostArt (Author: Podstavina G.S.).
Among these 10 best startups, the competition commission determined the prize-winners.
This year’s startup contest winners were announced at the plenary session by the Head of the competition commission, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Activities and Educational Work, Doctor of Science in Economics, Professor Talіat Bielialov.
I place and at the same time the winner in the “Students’ Choice” nomination became:
Startup project 10. Selfory
Authors: Bolshak Daria,
Khomenko Valeria.
Scientific supervisor: Kugai Kseniia.
Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/OGGgqR5M2kI
II place was shared by:
Startup project 15. Terrasynthesis
Authors: Oleynikov Nikita,
Novosad Bohdan.
Scientific supervisor: Oleynikova Iryna.
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/IN3Kv5APl-Q
Startup project 34. Floors of Connections
Authors: Samoilenko Ksenia,
Pleshkan Yelyzaveta,
Sushko Kateryna.
Scientific supervisor: Ievseitseva Olena.
Faculty of Economics and Management of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/qqy9rDG8d1I
III place was shared by:
Startup project 5. Solar 3D Printing Saves Lives
Authors: Tsybulenko Dmytro,
Kletsko Polina.
Scientific supervisor: Shvedchykova Iryna.
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/HyF77rr1lWQ
Startup project 13. Insoles for Military with Smart Heating Technology
Authors: Kovalenko Iryna,
Saulenko Vladyslav,
Filatova Oleksandra.
Scientific supervisors: Ievseitseva Olena, Шевчук Павло.
Faculty of Economics and Management of KNUTD.
Details at the link – https://youtu.be/XjfrROkvXJ4
Upon completion of the plenary session, the acting rector, Professor Oleksandra Olshanska and Vice-Rector, Professor Volodymyr Stetsenko thanked all participants, once again congratulated the student youth on their day and wished creative inspiration and further successes.
After a short break, the work of the conference sections (platforms) began.
More than 70 reports were submitted to the Conference Platform 1 “Innovative Development of Education, Culture and Creative Industries of Ukraine in the Conditions of War and Post-War Recovery” and Platform 2 “Innovation in Science: Status and Challenges in Wartime Conditions”. During the platform meeting, 14 reports by young scientists were heard. The moderator was Kalyna Pashkevych, Doctor of Engineering, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Design of the KNUTD.
During the meeting, a number of research works by students of the Faculty of Design of KNUTD were demonstrated, dedicated to the current issues of interior design and the urban environment. In particular, under the leadership of Shmelova-Nesterenko O., Doctor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of the Department of Interior and Furniture Design of KNUTD, the works of Kotelnikova D. were performed and presented, which highlighted modern trends and features of the design of the interiors of inclusive resource centers, and Levina K. on the integration of art space into an abandoned metro station. A report by Petrosian D. was also heard, who, together with Bulhakova T., Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Interior and Furniture Design of KNUTD, investigated the use of biophilic design in the interior of psychological assistance centers. Student Kuvyrkova M. (supervisor Ahliullin R., Doctor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of the Department of Interior and Furniture Design, KNUTD) revealed the meaning of the principle of "zero intervention" in the context of post-war urban reconstruction.
A student of the Department of Art and Fashion Design of the Faculty of Design, Kravchenko A. (supervisors: Pashkevych K., Doctor Engineering, Professor of the Department of Art and Fashion Design, Dean of the Faculty of Design of the KNUTD, Gerasymenko O., Doctor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of the Department of Art and Fashion Design) presented a work that highlights the evolution and modern trends of the romantic style in clothing design.
In addition, student works on graphic, industrial and multimedia design, as well as educational technologies, were presented. Among them: a report by Bondarchuk A. (supervisor Zhuravel-Zmieieva L., Doctor of Philosophy, Head of the Department of Graphic Design of KNUTD) dedicated to the introduction of thematic stylistics into graphic design and the formation of the corporate style of cocktail bars in Ukraine; a work by Petlenko O. (supervisor Yezhova O., Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Graphic Design of KNUTD), which explored the aesthetics of pastel-kawaii in the design of surprise toys; and a report by Tocheniuk A. (supervisor Vasylieva O., Candidate of Technical Sciences, Head of the Department of Multimedia Design of KNUTD), which reveals the features of the transformation of the artistic image in the design of video games.
The Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries presented student reports under the leadership of Vyshnevska M., Associate Professor of the Department of Philology and Translation of KNUTD. The works of students Zahoruyko D. on interactive presentations and multimedia platforms as tools for increasing student engagement in the digital educational environment, and Beskorovayna Ye. on the use of artificial intelligence in idea generation and overcoming creative blocks were completed and presented.
Students of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies demonstrated a high level of professional training, presenting complex and relevant scientific works in the field of computer technologies and applied mathematics. The following were presented to the attention of those present: a report by students Zhlali Zh. and Zhola E. (supervisor Manoilenko O., Candidate of Sciences in Engineering, Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of KNUTD), dedicated to machine vision and the formation of computer "perception of the world", as well as the work of Likhopud A. (supervisor Volokh L., PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics and Higher Mathematics) in which mathematical methods in nanotechnology are investigated.
Interesting and informative reports of students and postgraduates of the Faculty of Arts and Fashion were heard. Student Luchko A. (supervisors: Lozovenko S., Assistant Professor of the Department of Fashion and Style of KNUTD, Bilotska L., Doctor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of the Department of Fashion and Style of KNUTD) investigated the relevance of the upcycling strategy and its impact on the transformation of the fashion industry and consumer culture. Postgraduate student Mitchenkov D. in co-authorship with Galavska L.E., Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Research Department of KNUTD and Kharchenko Y., Senior Researcher of the ARTL "Textile-TEST", presented the results of the analysis of the hygienic properties of knitted materials for the manufacture of hats and gloves.
Professor Pashkevych thanked all conference participants, their scientific supervisors, and wished further scientific achievements!
Tetiana Vlasiuk, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor, served as the moderator of the platform “Innovation in Business: Realities and Directions of Cooperation Development in Wartime”. Welcoming the participants, she emphasized the importance of uniting the academic community, business, and state institutions in the search for effective solutions capable of ensuring the resilience and post-war recovery of Ukraine’s economy. She thanked all participants for their engagement, professionalism, and shared commitment to change, noting that only through cooperation are ideas born that can transform challenges into opportunities.
The platform featured presentations by Yuliia Herlinska with the report “Tokenization of Assets as a New Form of Attracting Investments”; Nadiia Ivanytska with the report “Intellectualization of Accounting Processes in the Financial Management of Enterprises: Problems and Prospects”; Kseniia Samoilenko with the report “Marketing Channels in the Beauty Industry: Their Influence on Consumer Behavior Management”; Alla Shapovalova with the report “Social Risks and Consequences of Manipulating Public Opinion and Democratic Processes During the 2019 Presidential Campaign”; Yevhen Sadovskyi with the report “Support and Development of Innovation Clusters in Conditions of Turbulence”; Maksym Ilchyshyn with the report “Innovative Aspects of Forming the International Strategy of Enterprises Under Global Challenges” and Gor Mirzakhanyan with the report “The Impact of Information and Communications Technology on Business”.
Tetiana Vlasiuk sincerely thanked all participants for sharing their experience and research findings on pressing issues in economics, management, and law!
The International 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 throughout our state, which gains momentum every year, motivating active innovative youth to new scientific achievements and accomplishments, confirming the entrepreneurial format of KNUTD in action, when the cooperation of the state, science, education, and business is a synergistic quadrilateral of knowledge of innovative development.
We sincerely thank the co-organizers and participants, guests and partner-stakeholders of the conference.
Holding the educational and scientific front, together – to Victory!
Everything will be Ukraine!
26.11.2025
