USUST representatives at the nationwide forum of IT clusters ‘Tech Unity: Clusters Forum’

On 2 December 2025, a delegation from the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies took part in the first nationwide Tech Unity: Clusters Forum, which brought together more than two thousand representatives of IT clusters, technology businesses, education, investors, and government institutions at the Mystetskyi Arsenal. The event became a unique platform for sharing experience, building partnerships, and developing strategic approaches to the growth of tech ecosystems for 2026.

 

USUST was represented at the forum by Olena Chorna, senior lecturer at the Department of Computer-Integrated Technologies and Robotics and lead specialist of the Advertising, Exhibition, and Information Activities Office; Olha Boiko, lead specialist of the same office; as well as students and PhD students from the faculty of Computer Science and Engineering.

Our team explored key industry trends, met with representatives of IT companies and educational initiatives, and attended a number of thematic tracks and workshops.

 

The forum covered seven strategic tracks from policy and investment to AI, digital marketing, dual-use technologies, business transformation, and talent development. The programme ran simultaneously across three stages (Grand Stage, Community Stage, Workshops Stage) and included panel discussions, keynotes, practical sessions, demonstrations, a children’s Talents Space zone, and partner exhibition areas.

 

Key themes such as industry development policy, the role of clusters in regional recovery, practical AI implementation in companies, new approaches to talent training, and university-business cooperation sparked lively discussions and practice-oriented presentations. Among the headliners was First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, who delivered an opening speech outlining the country’s key directions in digital development and the role of digital services and defense-tech in today’s realities.

 

Particular attention was drawn to the AI-focused panels,  highlighting AI as a tool that is rapidly shifting from a trend to an everyday practice in business and education; transformation cases for leaders navigating unstable times; and discussions on how to genuinely prepare talents for the industry when the market and technologies evolve every day. Separate sessions addressed GovTech solutions, smart cities, BIM, and digitalization in construction and industry.

 

Among the most noteworthy presentations, the participants highlighted Valeriy Pekar’s talk on future scenarios, digital marketing cases presented by Oleksandr Kolb (Promodo), as well as the panels ‘Marketing After Algorithms’ and ‘AI Without Illusions’, where practitioners and experts discussed real examples of integrating AI into business processes. On the Workshop Stage, sessions on technologies for education attracted attention, since contacts are valuable for developing EdTech partnerships and updating educational programmes.

 

The university’s representatives highlighted several practical ideas that can be integrated into the educational process: strengthening dual cooperation with IT companies, incorporating real product-based tasks into courses, and developing AI laboratories and joint projects involving students and businesses. The feedback from employers regarding the competencies which are currently in great demand on the market was particularly valuable.

 

The forum also served as an important networking platform: exchanging contacts, arranging future joint activities, and identifying opportunities for student internships and practical placements. Our team returns with professional contacts and ideas to implement in teaching and research activities.

 

We express our gratitude to the organizers of Tech Unity: Clusters Forum for a powerful programme and inspiring atmosphere, as well as to the Department of Information Systems and Kharkiv IT Cluster for the opportunity to attend the event and feel part of the broad tech community. See you at the 2026 forum!