From 29 June to 3 July 2026, Yuliia Chernetska, Associate Professor at the Power Supply Department and Academic Mobility Coordinator at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, participated in the Staff Week at Leibniz University Hannover as part of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) project ‘Mechatronics, Energy, Robotics and Innovative Technologies with Ukraine’ (MERIT-Ukraine) under the ‘German-Ukrainian University Network 2025–2029’ programme.
The main aim of the MERIT-Ukraine project is to develop a long-term academic partnership between Leibniz University Hannover and Ukrainian universities - Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Lviv Polytechnic National University - through the implementation of joint educational and research projects, the promotion of academic mobility, the exchange of experience and the introduction of innovative teaching formats.
As part of the training, Yuliia Chernetska took part in the Staff Week programme ‘Welcome Services and Support Offers for International Students’, which focused on modern approaches to organising support for international students, the internationalisation of the educational environment and the promotion of academic mobility. The programme also involved representatives from partner universities in France, the Czech Republic, Greece, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Romania and Austria, which created excellent opportunities for professional networking and establishing new international contacts.
One of the key events of the training was participation in International Day 2026, during which Igor Sikorsky KPI was represented by its own information stand. Visitors of the event had the opportunity to learn about the university’s activities, international educational opportunities and the DAAD MERIT-Ukraine project, as well as to find out more about Ukraine, its higher education system and the development of international cooperation during the war.
An important part of the training was a working meeting with professors from Leibniz University Hannover – Bernd Ponik, Axel Mertens and Lutz Hofmann. During the meetings, the participants discussed the practical aspects of implementing the MERIT-Ukraine project, prospects for the development of academic mobility for students and lecturers, opportunities to launch joint educational components, and the further expansion of scientific and educational cooperation between the Power Supply Department at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Leibniz University Hannover.
In addition, Staff Week participants took part in a series of events dedicated to sustainable development, equal opportunities and the advancement of STEM education, notably the festival ‘A Celebration of Diversity in STEM and Sustainability’, organised by the European University Alliance for Sustainability and Technology (EULiST).
Participation in the Staff Week helped to strengthen cooperation between the Power Supply Department at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Leibniz University Hannover, to develop international academic ties, and to explore new areas of collaboration in the fields of electrical engineering, academic mobility and joint research and educational projects.
