On November 27, 2025, the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD) hosted an open scientific and educational event "OpenLab-2025", dedicated to the International Day of Engagement in Science for Sustainable Development.
This year, Ukraine marks the International Day of Engagement in Science for Sustainable Development for the first time, initiated by UNESCO at the initiative of Ukraine. The day is designed to strengthen the interaction between science and society, support scientific education, and popularize research in the context of sustainable development, security, and reconstruction.
"OpenLab-2025" was organized by the staff of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of the KNUTD together with the staff of the L. M. Litvinenko Institute of Physical-Organic and Coal Chemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IPOCC of NAS of Ukraine) and it became a communication platform that united young people, scientists and educators around the topic of responsible sustainable development and the role of science in shaping the future. The participants of "OpenLab-2025" were school children from the 11th grade of the Scientific Lyceum No. 208 of the Dnipro district of Kyiv (with the biology teacher, PhD Iryna SLIPCHUK).
The event began with a welcoming speech by Volodymyr BESSARABOV, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Director of the IPOCC of NAS of Ukraine, Professor of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of the KNUTD. In his speech, he spoke about the launch and outlined the significance of the International Day of Science Engagement for Sustainable Development, emphasized the role of science in shaping a responsible society, and presented the three components of the concept of sustainable development – ecological, social, and economic.
In addition, Volodymyr BESSARABOV presented a number of developments of scientists from the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of KNUTD and IPOCC of NAS of Ukraine, which are directly related to the concept of sustainable development. Among them:
- "green" technologies of highly soluble solid dispersed systems of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which minimize the use of toxic solvents and ensure environmental safety of production (KNUTD);
- pharmaceutical compositions based on biodegradable polymer carrier PLGA for prolonged release of API, the use of which allows to reduce the frequency of drug administration and contributes to improving the quality of life of people with chronic diseases (KNUTD);
- fire-retardant paints, which provide reliable protection of infrastructure, reduce the risk of fire spread, reduce potential economic and social losses and increase safety in buildings, which is especially important in conditions of war and emergency situations (IPOCC of NAS of Ukraine).
These developments and achievements demonstrate how scientists combine innovation, environmental and social responsibility in their work, providing a practical contribution to the formation of sustainable development of the future.
Next, the participants of the event were addressed by Tetiana SHENDRIK, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Chief Researcher of the IPOCC of NAS of Ukraine, who spoke about the Institute's research areas related to the rational use of domestic resources, the development of modern materials, and strengthening the environmental and economic sustainability of the state.
The next speaker was Olena ISCHCHENKO, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of the KNUTD, who introduced the high school children to the activities and achievements of the University and told how KNUTD adheres to the principles of sustainable development in educational and research processes, supplementing the report of Volodymyr Ivanovych. She also provided comprehensive information on the conditions of admission and study in the educational and professional programs (EPP) "Innovative Pharmaceutics", "Industrial Pharmacy" and "European Cosmeceutics". In addition, Olena Volodymyrivna told the students about the prospects for employment in the specialty, emphasizing that the Department of Industrial Pharmacy trains highly qualified and competent specialists who develop the chemical-pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, working for the benefit of the state. Olena Volodymyrivna's speech also became part of the career guidance work carried out.
After completing the theoretical part, the participants moved on to the practical phase of the event. Under the guidance of scientific and pedagogical workers and laboratory assistants of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of the KNUTD, the students made their own aromatic bath bombs and decorative soap. Each participant had the opportunity to take home their own handmade products.
At the end of the event, the school children visited the educational and scientific laboratory of molecular pharmacology, chemogenomics and biogerontology (MPCB Laboratory) at the Department of Industrial Pharmacy of KNUTD. Vadym LISOVYI, PhD, assistant of the department, researcher of the laboratory, and Viktoriia LYZHNIUK, PhD student of the department, researcher of the laboratory, conducted a familiarization tour for the school children and showed them the modern analytical and technological equipment available in each of the sectors, and also told and demonstrated the latest methods of development and research of drugs and cosmetic products. During the tour, the students clearly saw the processes that underlie the creation of new drugs and cosmetic products, which contributed to increasing the interest of young people in scientific activity and highlighted the important role of modern science in ensuring the social, economic and environmental components of sustainable development.
Thanks to the combination of theoretical and practical parts, "OpenLab-2025" became an effective platform for popularizing science among young people and forming a responsible attitude towards the principles of sustainable development. The participants of the event received not only knowledge about modern scientific developments and innovative technologies, but also practical experience, which contributes to the development of creativity, social responsibility and motivation for further scientific education and professional development.
02.12.2025
