Defense of a dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Metallurgy at USUST
On March 10, 2026, a successful defense of the dissertation by Oleksandr Hrek took place at the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies. Following the meeting, the one-time specialized academic council resolved to award him the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the field of study 13 ‘Mechanical Engineering’ (specialty 136 – Metallurgy).
During the public defense, the applicant presented the results of his dissertation research entitled ‘Development of a technology for producing iron by solid-phase reduction of iron-ore-and-coal briquettes under induction heating conditions’. The work addresses relevant issues related to the study of thermal processes in metallurgical production. As part of the research, a concept was proposed and scientifically justified for using an induction furnace as a single unit for solid-phase reduction and subsequent steelmaking from primary iron-bearing charge materials, making it possible to reduce coke consumption.
The scientific supervisor of the dissertation was Oleksandr Velychko, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, and Director of the SEI ‘Dnipro Metallurgical Institute’ of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies.
The one-time specialized academic council was chaired by Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Deputy Director of SEI “Dnipro Metallurgical Institute” of USUST Valerii Ivashchenko.
The professional examination of the dissertation research was provided by:
- official opponents: Senior Researcher of the Ironmaking Department of the Z.I. Nekrasov Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy of the NAS of Ukraine Iryna Muraviova and Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Acting Head of the Department of Metallurgical Technologies of the State University of Economics and Technology Daria Kassim;
- reviewers: Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of SEI “Dnipro Metallurgical Institute” of USUST Anatolii Ovcharuk and Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of SEI “Dnipro Metallurgical Institute” of USUST Yana Mianovska.
The members of the specialized academic council highly appreciated the scientific results of the research and their practical significance.
We sincerely congratulate Oleksandr Serhiiovych on this significant scientific achievement and wish him further success in his research activities, new discoveries, and professional growth for the benefit of science and Ukraine!
