USUST Staff Meeting and the Academic Council Meeting

On 26 December 2025, the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies hosted a meeting of the University’s Staff, followed by an extended meeting of the Academic Council. The event brought together delegates of the staff, the university leadership, representatives of public authorities, the academic community, and partners of USUST.

 

 

The meeting was opened by Andrii Selehei, Head of the United Trade Union Organization of Employees of Education and Science of Ukraine at USUST. He reported that 180 delegates had been nominated for taking part in the meeting.  162 delegates were registered, ensuring a quorum to make decisions.

 

The first item on the agenda was a report by the USUST Rector, Kostiantyn Sukhyi, on the implementation of the Collective Agreement in 2025 and the overall performance of the university. In his report, the Rector outlined the key achievements of the year. In particular, two new educational and scientific institutes ‘Aerospace Institute’ and ‘Titan’ were established within the university structure. In addition, the Department of Military Training for Specialists of the State Special Transport Service is undergoing reorganization into a Military Faculty under the leadership of PhD Ihor Ostapenko.

Currently, USUST offers nearly 300 educational programs. The university’s academic staff includes 159 professors, 529 associate professors, 91 research staff members, 117 teaching staff members, and 190 employees of the academic support staff. The total number of students is 12,098: 7,293 bachelor’s and 2,029 master’s students are enrolled in full-time study, while 2,051 bachelor’s and 725 master’s students pursue part-time (distance) study.

 

The Rector also highlighted the university’s active involvement in national and regional projects and initiatives. These include participation in the ‘League of Laughter. Dnipro’ project, the organization of the first and second USUST Hackathons for young people from Dnipro and the region,  hosting of the large-scale branded ‘Sakura Fest’ festival, systematic efforts in national and patriotic education of students, as well as numerous volunteer and charitable initiatives.

 

In the field of research and scientific-technical activity, USUST remains one of the national leaders. The university is currently implementing 36 research projects, including 5 out of the 6 projects of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine carried out in Dnipropetrovsk region. In terms of research funding, USUST ranks 7th nationwide and holds a leading position in the region by the volume of basic funding.

 

According to the results of the state attestation, the university received Category “A” in the engineering and technological fields and Category “B” in the social sciences and humanities/artistic fields. Within the framework of the Horizon 2020 program, USUST is the leading Ukrainian university in terms of funding volume. As of December 2025, four projects under the “Science for Strengthening Ukraine’s Defense Capability” competition have been completed, with one additional project currently ongoing.

 

In the field of research and scientific and technological activity, USUST remains one of the country’s leading institutions. The university is currently implementing 36 research projects, including 5 of the 6 projects of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine being carried out in Dnipropetrovsk Region. In terms of funding volume, USUST ranks 7th nationwide and is the regional leader in basic research funding.

 

In the field of research and scientific and technological activity, USUST remains one of the country’s leading institutions. The university is currently implementing 36 research projects, including 5 out of 6 projects of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine being carried out in Dnipropetrovsk region. In terms of funding, USUST ranks 7th nationwide and is a regional leader in basic research funding. According to the results of the state attestation, the university received Category ‘A’ in the engineering and technological fields and Category ‘B’ in the social sciences and humanities/arts. In the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme, USUST is a national leader in terms of funding. As of December 2025, four projects under the competition ‘Science for Strengthening Ukraine’s Defense Capability’ have been completed, with one project is currently ongoing.

 

Through participation in competitive international calls, capital expenditures for the procurement of modern scientific equipment for research laboratories have increased significantly. The rector proudly highlighted the achievements of the university’s young researchers, who received numerous scientific awards and honors in 2025.

 

In the field of international cooperation, USUST implemented 46 international projects in partnership with more than 150 institutions worldwide. Within academic mobility programs, 110 academic staff members completed professional development abroad, while 5 PhD and doctoral students, and 20 students studied at leading universities in the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The university hosts the National Contact Point of the Horizon Europe programme for the thematic area ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’. In 2025, with the support of an international USAID project, a Cybersecurity Laboratory was established.

 

USUST also hosts the largest scientific library in the region, with a collection of 2,631,744 printed and electronic publications. It publishes 17 scholarly journals, three of which are indexed in Web of Science and Scopus.

 

Cooperation with stakeholders continues to develop actively: more than 100 agreements and memoranda have been concluded, elements of dual education are being implemented, and over 200 students are pursuing their studies with grant support.

 

The rector also addressed issues related to the university’s facilities and infrastructure management. He expressed his gratitude to Vice-Rector for Administrative and Economic Affairs Mykhailo Shevchenko, Vice-Rector for Innovative Development Ruslan Hanzenko, as well as to all staff of the facilities and maintenance sector for their daily responsible work under challenging conditions.

 

The rector emphasized that much of the university’s engineering infrastructure dates back to the Soviet era. Nevertheless, the university team can maintain it effectively. In buildings where it is technically possible, heating and stable electricity supply have been ensured, and the university dormitories continue to operate reliably.

 

Special attention was given to the work of the dormitories, managed by Iryna Ivanchenko. As a result of her efforts and the involvement of international foundations more than 1,500 new windows have been installed in the university’s dormitories. The rector also noted that, with the support of international donors, it became possible to restore the functionality of the academic buildings located in the Peremoha district, which had been damaged as a result of a missile strike in December.

 

Concluding his report, the rector thanked the entire university community for their dedicated work under extremely challenging conditions and expressed confidence in the further development of USUST.

 

The second item on the agenda was the approval of the  Collective Agreement  between the university administration and the staff of USUST for the period 2026–2030. Andrii Selehei presented the draft of the updated document, which consists of 15 sections and includes specific provisions on working hours, leaves, and remuneration, without duplicating other administrative documents of the university. Andrii Selehei also assured that any proposals that may arise in the future will be considered by a special commission and approved a meetings of the university’s staff

Following the results of an open vote, the  Collective Agreement  was approved, with three delegates voting against.

 

The next agenda item was the presentation of the USUST  Development Strategy for  2026–2030.   The rector emphasized that the document had been developed based on the principles of collegiality, openness, and the engagement of all key stakeholders. The Strategy defines the university’s vision as a highly ranked, interdisciplinary, research-oriented institution integrated into the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area, characterized by a strong corporate culture and adherence to the principles of academic integrity.

 

The mission of USUST is to prepare highly qualified professionals and to develop human capital for the growth of Ukraine’s competitive economy and the strengthening of its defense capability. The key priorities include improving governance, advancing educational and research activities, internationalization, digital transformation, financial stability, and the development of student self-governance. The USUST Development Strategy for 2026–2030 was approved unanimously.

 

 

Following the staff meeting, a meeting of the Academic Council of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies commenced. The rector introduced the distinguished guests: Mykola Lukashuk, Head of the Dnipro Regional Council, Serhii Ryzhenko, Director General of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital named after I. I. Mechnikov, and Anatolii Bulat, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Honorary Professor of USUST.

Addressing the audience, Mykola Lukashuk outlined the challenges which  the region is currently facing, particularly the significant pressure on the education and healthcare sectors due to the number of internally displaced persons and the proximity of the frontline. He noted that the region is currently hosting approximately 94,000 children who are internally displaced from frontline areas, which has a substantial impact on the functioning of educational institutions and healthcare facilities. As an example, he referred to the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Clinical Hospital named after I. I. Mechnikov, which receives wounded servicemen for treatment and rehabilitation not only from the region but also from other parts of Ukraine, including Sumy region. In particular, between 2014 and 2022, approximately 2 tonnes of donated blood were transfused at the hospital,  and  since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, this figure has exceeded 22 tonnes.

 

The Head of the Regional Council also emphasized the strategic importance of education and science for the post-war recovery of both the region and the country. He stressed that once the war ends, a strong education system and modern healthcare will become the key pillars of development. According to him, education must provide not only professional training but also a solid theoretical foundation essential for the advancement of industry and critical technologies.

 

Mykola Lukashuk highlighted the unique industrial potential of the Dnipropetrovsk region, noting that 21 out of 30 critical raw materials identified by the European Union are concentrated in the region. He also emphasized that the majority of the country’s metallurgical production is located here, and that the effective functioning of industry is impossible without a strong academic foundation, mechanical engineering, and scientific research, activities  which are carried out at the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies.

 

Addressing the university community, the head of the Regional Council emphasized those young people who are studying at USUST today,  will shape the country’s economic and technological capacity tomorrow. He underscored the importance of creating conditions that encourage young people to choose studies in their home region and to have access to modern equipment and high-quality education here in Dnipro.

 

On behalf of the deputy corps of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, Mykola Lukashuk expressed his gratitude to the USUST staff for their daily work, training of professionals, and the preservation of the region’s scientific potential.

Concluding his speech, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council awarded Honorary Certificates of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council for special merits in academic and pedagogical activity, training of highly qualified specialists, integrity, and professional excellence to Anatolii Radkevych, Yurii Proidak, and Olha Ryzhova.

During the meeting of the Academic Council, the floor was given to Serhii Ryzhenko, Director General of the Dnipro Regional Clinical Hospital named after I. I. Mechnikov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Honored Doctor of Ukraine.

 

He expressed his gratitude to the academic staff and students of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies for their daily work, active civic engagement, and continuous support of the healthcare sector under wartime conditions. According to Serhii Ryzhenko, the largest number of student volunteers from USUST joined the hospital to assist medical professionals during the most challenging periods.

 

The Director General of the hospital noted that since the beginning of the full-scale war, the institution has treated more than 51,000 wounded servicemen and performed over 53,000 surgical procedures. He also recalled examples of prompt and well-coordinated support from the university community, when, in response to urgent requests for donor blood, large groups of students, together with the USUST Rector Kostiantyn Sukhyi, gathered at the hospital early in the morning to assist.

 

Serhii Ryzhenko emphasized that due to donor support and strong community solidarity, it was possible to save at least 40 critically wounded patients who had been delivered to the hospital with no chance of survival. These are the examples of mutual support between science, education, and medicine that are decisive in the fight for human lives and in bringing Victory closer.

During the meeting of the Academic Council, the floor was also given to Anatolii Bulat, head of the Prydniprovskyi Scientific Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Academician of the NAS of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, and Professor.

 

He highlighted the significant achievements of the scientific community of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies in the fields of scientific, technological, and innovative research, as well as the university’s active efforts to promote science, engage young people in research activities, and develop national and international scientific cooperation.

 

On the occasion of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, Anatolii Bulat presented a Certificate of Appreciation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine to Oleh Kalinichenko, in recognition of his significant personal contribution to the development of scientific research, active academic and teaching activities, and efforts to promote peace in Ukraine through science.

 

In addition, the Academician announced that, by decision of the General Assembly of the members of the National Committee of Ukraine on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Vladyslav Danishevskyi, Director of the Educational and Research Institute of PSACEA, had been elected to the Committee. This decision represents recognition of his professional authority and scientific contribution at the national level.

 

On the occasion of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, Anatolii Bulat awarded a Certificate of Appreciation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine to Oleh Kalinichenko, in recognition of his significant personal contribution to the development of scientific research, active academic and teaching activities, and efforts to promote peace in Ukraine through science. In addition, the Academician announced that, by decision of the General Assembly of the members of the National Committee of Ukraine on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Vladyslav Danishevskyi, director of the SEI ‘PSACEA’, had been elected to the Committee. This decision represents recognition of his professional authority and scientific contribution at the national level.

 

Kostiantyn Sukhyi, rector of USUST, awarded a Certificate of Merit of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to Vladyslav Danishevskyi, in recognition of his initiative and perseverance, high level of professionalism, commitment to professional responsibilities, and significant personal contribution to the development of education and science in Ukraine.

The rector of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, Kostiantyn Sukhyi, on behalf of the university, conferred the title of Honorary Professor of USUST on Volodymyr Kononov, an Honored Builder of Ukraine and Director General of Agrarian Production Association ‘Sodruzhestvo’ PJSC. A graduate of the university, he defended his dissertation at USUST and has remained an active participant in the life of the SEI ‘PSACEA’ for many years.

 

The Rector highlighted his consistent commitment to the development of the university, his efforts to make the educational process more practical and modern, and his tangible involvement in implementing innovative approaches in education. As an example, he gave the defense of comprehensive capstone projects developed by teams of more than ten students, who used state-of-the-art equipment to design solutions for the restoration of a building destroyed by a missile strike.

Special words of appreciation were also expressed to Anatolii Chychkov, Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Ukrainian Studies of the SEI ‘USUCT’, who has headed the department for 31 years. His consistent work, active participation in university life, preservation of the department’s human resources potential, and maintenance of a stable teaching workload were particularly highlighted.

 

Concluding the meeting, Kostiantyn Sukhyi extended his greetings to all those present on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, wished peace and victory to Ukraine, and emphasized that education, science, and industrial development will form the foundation of the country’s post-war recovery. According to him, the university is already working today to ensure that the Dnipropetrovsk region remains a center of strong science, modern education, and powerful industry.