Open lecture by Professor Yurii Mitikov at the Aerospace Institute of USUST

On September 11, 2025, the SEI ‘Aerospace Institute’ of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies hosted an open lecture by Professor Yurii Oleksiiovych Mitikov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, honored inventor of the state design office ‘Pivdenne’, expert in aerospace technologies, and member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

 

The audience included bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students specializing in:

 

Professor Mitikov explained why the specialization ‘Rocket Engines’ was the very first program launched at the institute and why this field was established specifically at USUST. He also highlighted career opportunities on the prospects of future employment for graduates and the distinctive features of their training.

 

It was emphasized that rockets today represent the most advanced type of weapon, and that engines constitute the most technically complex and research-intensive component of any rocket. In the past the field developed around liquid engines, but today solid-propellant technology leads the way  and it needs deep expertise in chemistry and materials science.

 

The speaker highlighted the need to educate and train a new generation of Ukrainian engineers for the defense sector, for creating domestic launch vehicles, and for maintaining communications technologies.

 

 

The professor noted that USUST has the largest number of highly qualified lecturers in core technical disciplines and two of the four Doctors of Sciences in rocket engines in Ukraine work at USUST.

 

The new program was initiated by the management of a state enterprise ‘Production Association Pivdenmash named after O.M. Makarov’. The demand for specialists is obvious – in addition to Pivdenmash,  DO ‘Pivdenne’, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and several internationally-funded companies need experts in this field.

 

For senior bachelor students, lectures on rocket engines are offered as supplementary classes outside scheduled hours. Upon successful completion of the required studies, students have the opportunity to be awarded a double bachelor’s degree.

 

 

Over 100 students joined the online lecture, which confirms strong interest in the topic and its relevance.

 

 

The University expresses its sincere gratitude to Professor Yurii Oleksiiovych Mitikov for his informative and inspiring lecture. We also extend our thanks to the deans of the SEI ‘Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology’, USUST, especially to the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Ihor Leonidovych Levchuk and the Head of the Department of Innovative Engineering, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Oleh Stanislavovych Kabat, for organizing the event.