From October to December 2025, the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies provided career guidance to more than 1,300 high school students. Faculty members, both as part of a university team and independently, conducted a series of off-site career guidance meetings focused on the prospects of modern specialities.
In particular, they visited: academic lyceums of the Obukhiv City Council (named after V. Melnyk, № 1 named after A. Malyshko, № 3, № 5); lyceums of the Boryspil City Council («Leader», «OSNOVA», named after Y. Golovaty); Rzhyshchiv lyceum «Leader» and Rzhyshchiv gymnasium «Harmony»; lyceums № 281 and № 304, secondary schools № 50 and № 235 named after V. Chornovil in the Svyatoshynsky district of Kyiv; lyceum № 309 in the Darnytsky district of Kyiv; lyceum № 38, specialised schools № 138 with in-depth study of natural sciences and № 106 with in-depth study of English, schools № 70 and № 169 in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv; lyceum № 128 in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv; lyceums № 240 «Socium» and № 214 in the Obolonskyi district of Kyiv; lyceums № 269 and № 151, school № 186 (grades I-III), gymnasium № 32 «Uspikh» in Kyiv.
During the visits, high school students were told about the high demand for specialists in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and the growing role of technologists in chemical production and environmental solutions. They also emphasised the opportunities for rapid employment, internships at leading companies, and career development in research centres. The meetings helped to foster a conscious interest among schoolchildren in professions that offer stability and broad opportunities for professional growth.
Thematic open lessons and master classes held at the university have become a traditional and integral part of the faculty's career guidance work.
On 14 October 2025, 20 students from Lyceum № 39 in Kyiv visited the Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur. Head of the Department Olena MOKROUSOVA introduced the guests to the promising field of biotechnology and gave them a tour of the department's modern laboratories. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Olena OKHMAT, assistant professor Oleksandr KALINICHENKO, and laboratory head Tetiana KOLESNYK, the students participated in a master class on cell biology, which included an introduction to microscopy techniques, independent preparation of specimens for leaf epidermis research, and microscopic analysis. The students also independently completed a chemistry assignment on «Colour Reactions».
On 24 October 2025, the laboratories of the Department of Chemical Technologies and Resource Saving were transformed into a real research centre for students of Lyceum № 240 «Socium» in Kyiv, where high school students immersed themselves in the world of applied science (https://knutd.edu.ua/pod-ta-publkats/news/19340/). The lesson topic was «Determining the hardness of drinking water». Under the guidance of department head Viktoriia PLAVAN and senior lecturer Oksana BUTENKO, students learned to determine water hardness using titration. Reagents, flasks, calculations – just like real scientists! Colleagues from the Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur joined the event – Associate Professor Olena OKHMAT and Assistant Professor Oleksandr KALINICHENKO. They introduced the students to the structure of modern microscopes and conducted laboratory work on the study of plant and animal cells. Such events allow future applicants to feel like real researchers and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of university life.
On 20 November 2025, the Department of Chemical Technologies and Resource Saving warmly welcomed guests – pupils from secondary school № 70 in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv (https://knutd.edu.ua/pod-ta-publkats/news/19558/). The meeting began with warm greetings from Tetiana DERKACH, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies, and Viktoriia PLAVAN, Head of the Department. Associate Professors Olena Kryukova and Olga Kislova conducted an interactive lesson for high school students titled «Interesting Chemistry and 3D Technologies», during which they demonstrated the connection between chemical science and modern production. The highlight of the excursion was a visit to the Centre for collective use of scientific equipment «Additive Manufacturing Technologies». Professor of the Department, Nadiya SOVA, spoke about the prospects of additive technologies, and the students received souvenirs printed on a 3D printer during the meeting. Such events clearly demonstrate to schoolchildren that modern education is a synergy of knowledge and innovation.
On 27 November 2025, the Department of Industrial Pharmacy became the Centre of scientific discussion, bringing together young people and scientists at the OpenLab-2025 event (https://knutd.edu.ua/pod-ta-publkats/news/19600/). The event was timed to coincide with International Day of Science for Sustainable Development. The main participants in the event were eleventh-grade students from Lyceum № 208 in the Dnipro district of Kyiv, for whom popularisation lectures, laboratory tours and a practical master class were organised. Under the guidance of Professor Olena ISHCHENKO, the students made their own aromatic bath bombs and decorative soap. Importantly, the students also took part in a charity campaign. Under the slogan «Children create for children», the Lyceum students also made handmade soap for the children at the Khotyn Special School № 1. OpenLab-2025 became a platform where dry theory came to life through experiments. This format allowed us to convey to young people the importance of science for the sustainable development of humanity in the most effective way possible. The students returned home not only with new knowledge about innovation, but also with an understanding of their role in the world. This day gave them practical skills, a boost to their creativity, and perhaps helped some of them finally decide on their future profession in the scientific field.
A wonderful tradition of strong career guidance cooperation has been established between the Department of Biotechnology, Leather and Fur and Lyceum № 194 «Perspective» in Kyiv, for whose applicants a series of exciting laboratory works in chemistry and biology was held on 14, 19, 28 November and 11 December 2025.
The department staff prepared and conducted laboratory work in chemistry and biology. Prospective applicants learned about chromatography for separating plant pigments and determined the presence of certain pigments in leaves of trees with different colours. The laboratory studies using modern microscopes proved to be interesting, during which schoolchildren worked and visually examined micro-preparations from botany and zoology.
Following the events held in the laboratories of the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies, many positive reviews were received, inspiring the organisation of further meetings and continued cooperation.
An example is the review that lyceum № 194 «Perspective» published on its social media page: «...It was not just a planned excursion, but a real immersion into the world of high technology, which required creativity and resilience. Despite a temporary power outage during our visit, the faculty demonstrated resilience and were fully ready to work. In a warm, hospitable atmosphere, the lyceum students immersed themselves in the world of biotechnology — a profession key to the ecological and medical future. We saw with our own eyes how the university maintains a high-quality educational process using alternative power sources, which is clear evidence of its unwavering commitment to higher education and science. Most interestingly, the lyceum students were able not only to listen to lectures on science but also to try their hand at being real chemists and biologists by working in laboratories. With the help of cool modern microscopes, the students explored the internal structure of various materials. This practical experience proved that real scientific work and the pursuit of knowledge do not fade away even in difficult conditions».
We are not stopping there! The series of career guidance events continues, and the doors of the Faculty of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Technologies are always open to inquisitive young people, as practical experience within the university walls is the best way to help high school students choose the profession of their dreams. The success of these events proves the importance of cooperation between higher and secondary education institutions.
We invite schools and lyceums to collaborate for the future of Ukrainian science!
20.01.2026
