Cooperation with Foreign Universities
Partnership with International Companies
Double Degree Programs and Studies Abroad
The Department of Power Systems Automation maintains scientific and academic cooperation with higher education institutions in Europe, the USA, and Canada. The best students of our department have the opportunity to study abroad and participate in double degree programs through collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Erasmus+ credit mobility program, and the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
(Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is an intermediary organization for Germany’s foreign cultural, educational, and scientific policies, as well as for the development of international cooperation in higher education.
The DAAD headquarters in Bonn serves as the central hub for managing all domestic and international DAAD activities. The Berlin office, located in the Wissenschafts Forum at Gendarmenmarkt Square, is the second most important DAAD representation in Germany. Abroad, DAAD is represented by an extensive network of branch offices, lecturers, and alumni associations, offering on-site information and consultation services. These branches and Information Centres (ICs) around the world ensure effective communication, program implementation, and local advisory support.
Even a brief look at history shows that DAAD connects people and science. Established in 1925 in Heidelberg at the initiative of individual students, today it ranks among the most important organizations promoting international exchange among students and researchers.
Since its founding, DAAD has supported around 2 million individuals from Germany and abroad. The German Academic Exchange Service is an association of German universities and student organizations. Its activities extend far beyond scholarship programs: DAAD promotes the internationalization of German higher education institutions, strengthens German studies and the German language abroad, supports developing countries in building strong universities, and advises specialists responsible for educational policy, international research, and development cooperation.
The scholarship budget comes mainly from federal funds provided by various ministries, primarily the Federal Foreign Office, as well as the European Union, private enterprises, organizations, and foreign governments.
DAAD’s work is based on deep and comprehensive knowledge of interuniversity cooperation structures and scientific systems worldwide. It relies on the professional expertise of its staff and its global network of offices, information centres, and lecturers. This knowledge is constantly updated and made available to decision-makers for strategic planning. On this basis, DAAD continues to enhance its role as a driving force for the internationalization of the academic system.
On February 5, 1998, the “Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Education of Ukraine and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)” was signed in Kyiv, providing for the establishment of the DAAD Office in Ukraine. The office began operations on April 16, 1998, and is located at the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (Building 6, Room 31).
The main tasks of the office include:
- providing information and consultations about the higher education system in Germany, study opportunities, and DAAD scholarship programs;
- organizing and conducting the selection process for DAAD scholarships (information sessions, application distribution, consultations, document collection, etc.);
- maintaining contact with DAAD alumni (information sharing, alumni meeting invitations, etc.);
- consulting German university representatives studying or conducting research in Ukraine;
- supporting cooperation between German and Ukrainian universities and faculties (e.g., information lectures at universities, consultations within interuniversity partnerships);
- cooperating with the Ministry of Education of Ukraine, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and other partners;
- collaborating with other German educational organizations represented in Ukraine (Goethe-Institut, ZfA, etc.);
- cooperating with DAAD lecturers working in Ukraine.
Erasmus+ Credit Mobility Programme
Under the name “Erasmus+“, a new European Union programme aimed at enhancing skills and employability in the fields of education, training, youth, and sport was launched on January 1, 2014. In the field of education and training, Erasmus+ is best known for offering students the chance to study abroad, as well as for supporting academic and administrative staff in higher education institutions.
Erasmus+ combines the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme, the “Youth in Action” Programme, and five previous international higher education initiatives (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink, and cooperation programmes with industrialized countries) into a single comprehensive framework. Building on the success of its predecessors, Erasmus+ incorporates their most effective practices and proven concepts, while also integrating new funding opportunities in the field of sport.
Erasmus+ supports activities in education, youth, and sport through three main actions:
- Mobility – learning mobility for individuals across all areas of general and vocational education;
- Cooperation projects – strategic partnerships with academic communities, “Sector Skills Alliances”, and IT platforms, including partnerships through eTwinning between higher education institutions in EU member states and partner countries;
- Support for policy reform – promoting the modernization agenda in higher, general, and vocational education, developing and implementing recognized EU transparency tools, creating networks of Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs), and fostering policy dialogue in education.
The goal of the Erasmus+ programme for Higher Education is to modernize and improve education in universities across Europe and beyond. It provides opportunities for students and university staff to develop their skills and enhance their career prospects.
The benefits of participating in the Erasmus+ exchange programme include:
- Educational – the opportunity to compare the quality of education, teaching methods, and institutional practices abroad;
- Linguistic – the chance to master a foreign language and terminology specific to one’s academic field;
- Cultural – exposure to the culture, lifestyle, and student life of another country;
- Personal experience – the chance to become more independent and develop problem-solving and adaptability skills.
Participation in student mobility can become a truly invaluable experience, as students are encouraged to take up the challenge and seize the opportunity provided by the European Union to study abroad.
The list of Erasmus+ projects at the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” is available on the website of the Academic Mobility Office.
Fulbright Academic Exchange Program
The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Government and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), holds a leading position in the global system of international education. Founded on the principles of cooperation and mutual understanding, and grounded in respect for the diversity of the world, it has been successfully operating since 1946 and is now active in more than 160 countries. Since the Program was established in Ukraine in 1992, over 1,100 Ukrainians have studied, trained, or conducted research in the United States, while more than 750 Americans have taught and carried out academic work at Ukrainian universities.
Since 1992, the Fulbright Program has become an integral part of Ukraine’s cultural and academic landscape. A vibrant community of alumni has emerged, united by shared values and strong traditions rooted in fundamental human principles. The experience of each Fulbrighter — as alumni call themselves — serves as a catalyst for the intellectual and social development of Ukraine. In 1999, Fulbright alumni established the Ukrainian Fulbright Circle, an association that embodies the Program’s ideals and applies the Fulbright experience gained at U.S. universities to Ukrainian academic and public life. Through lively person-to-person interaction and open dialogue, Fulbrighters not only compare and initiate change but also become active participants in it. Their initiatives include organizing annual conferences, thematic seminars, round tables, and informational meetings to promote awareness of the Program in Ukraine. They also extend their intellectual activity beyond local academic spaces, engaging in joint projects and scholarly dialogue with researchers and institutions worldwide. The Program supports the publication of monographs, academic collections, and textbooks prepared during Fulbright fellowships through its Small Grants Program funded by the Institute of International Education and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. Additionally, it provides financial assistance for organizing academic events and participating in international conferences.
Cooperation with foreign universities
Higher Technical School of Central Hesse. University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
The German University of Applied Sciences Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen – University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1971. It has branches in Giessen, Friedberg and Wetzlar. Today, the University has around 16,000 students.
In early June 2016, negotiations were held regarding the establishment of a dual master’s degree program between Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen – University of Applied Sciences.
In October 2017, as part of the ‘Partnership Relations with Developing Countries 2017’ project funded by the DAAD, a working group of specialists from the Department of Power Systems Automation and the Department of Automation of Electromechanical Systems and Electric Drive of the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics visited Germany. During the meeting with representatives of THM, current cooperation tasks were discussed, the main one being the establishment of an international office at our University to carry out joint research, projects, and master’s training under the ‘Dual Degree’ program, which will allow our department’s students to study part of their master’s curriculum in Germany. A number of important issues were discussed at the meeting, with particular attention given to the master’s training program scheduled to begin in autumn 2018. Academic plans were coordinated, research areas were discussed, and the duration of student stays at the University of Applied Sciences in Germany was determined.
Already in autumn 2017, four FEPEA students were sent to THM in Germany for five months to study and participate in the development of an electric vehicle for the international student competition Carolo-Cup 2018, as well as in projects on developing tools for monitoring transient processes in the electric power system and researching grid operation modes during the integration of electric vehicles.
In September 2018, another visit of specialists from the department and faculty to the German partners took place. At the meeting with THM representatives, current cooperation tasks were discussed: conducting joint research, implementing projects, and master’s training under the ‘Dual Degree’ program. Academic plans were coordinated, research areas were discussed, and the duration of student mobility to the University of Applied Sciences in Germany was determined. Currently, four students of the FEPEA have been sent to THM for study.
During their stay in Germany, our faculty members got acquainted with the THM laboratories and took part in the annual Workshop dedicated to discussing the latest developments and research in the fields of power engineering, electromechanics, and electric drives. The event was also attended by researchers from the University of Applied Sciences and professors from other German universities. Hanna Trunina, Assistant at the Department of Power Systems Automation, and Serhii Kovbasa, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Automation of Electromechanical Systems and Electric Drive, delivered presentations on current research conducted at the faculty’s departments.
At the beginning of 2019, according to the decision of the Academic Council of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute dated 11.02.2019 (Protocol No.2), the “Ukrainian-German Educational and Research Center for Power Engineering and Electromechanics of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (Order dated 22.02.2019 No.7/27) was established. The main purpose of the Center is to support international cooperation, exchange educational and scientific-technical experience, participate in international scientific and educational programs, and develop academic and cultural ties between Igor Sikorsky KPI and Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen – University of Applied Sciences (Hesse, Federal Republic of Germany). The Center provides informational support and coordinates internships for students and postgraduate students of the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics at the University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The Center is located in room 328, Building 20.
University of Warwick (United Kingdom)
Undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students and academic team members of the Department of Power Systems Automation conduct joint research and actively participate in the international exchange program with the School of Engineering of the University of Warwick, located near Coventry, United Kingdom.
The University of Warwick ranks among the top ten universities in the UK. It has around 50,000 students, including many international students from the EU, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. The university actively participates in numerous exchange programs for students, PhD students and academic team members.
University of Warwick Administrative Building
From March 9 to July 2, 2020, assistant of the Department of Power Systems Automation Volodymyr Huly undertook an internship at the School of Engineering of the University of Warwick (Coventry, UK) under the Erasmus+ program.
University of Warwick School of Engineering
During the internship, a series of experimental studies were carried out in the laboratories of the department of the School of Engineering on an air energy storage system, and the necessary operating characteristics of the equipment were obtained for further use in creating simulation models that will be applied in future research in this field. Energy efficiency is a relevant issue today, and the use of air energy storage systems will improve the efficiency of power systems and energy conservation. The laboratories of the department are equipped with modern high-tech facilities, enabling advanced research in various areas of energy at a high level. During the internship, a number of meetings and seminars were also held, discussing important issues across different research directions.
Experimental installation of an air energy storage system
The experience and knowledge gained will allow conducting further research in energy efficiency and energy conservation at a higher scientific level.
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Germany)
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg was founded in 1993 through the merger of the existing Technical University, the University of Education, and the Medical Academy of Magdeburg. Today, the University comprises nine faculties and nearly 14,000 students, increasingly establishing itself as an educational and research center. It plays an important role in the life of Magdeburg, the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, which is gradually developing into a hub for business, education, and culture.
In September 2015, a working meeting took place between the management of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and the Head of the Institute of Materials Science at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Professor Michael Scheffler. The Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics (FEPEA) was represented at the meeting by the Dean, Oleksandr Yandulsky, and the Deputy Dean, Vitalii Teryaiev.
The meeting participants discussed a range of issues regarding the organization of the Interuniversity International Complex “Mechanical Engineering and Energy” under the trilateral Memorandum between Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
The best students of our department have the opportunity to spend a semester at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and obtain a double degree within the corresponding program.
Other foreign universities
The Department of Power Systems Automation also maintains collaborative ties with Brno University of Technology (Czech Republic), Kielce University of Technology (Poland), Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany), and other foreign higher education institutions. In recent years, Indian students from the Vishwaniketan Institute (Mumbai, India) have regularly participated in internships at the department of PSA. For example, in the summer of 2018, the internship program included the study of issues related to the integration of renewable energy sources into electrical networks.
Partnership with international companies
The Department of Power Systems Automation collaborates with leading global manufacturers in the electric power industry, giving our students the opportunity to learn on modern, industry‑grade power equipment.
Since 2006, the PSA Department has hosted an authorized “Schneider Electric Ukraine” training center. This center is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art hardware and software, enabling hands‑on training on low- and medium-voltage equipment, industrial control systems, and automation tools.
Schneider Electric conducts courses for students and engineers to master best practices in designing, implementing, and operating contemporary power networks.
In 2013, “ABB in Ukraine” established a training and technical center at the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics as part of its strategic corporate social responsibility program.
Thanks to ABB’s support, students can work with modern equipment in laboratories dedicated to ABB SCADA and telemechanics systems, as well as a specialized relay protection and automation lab.
Since 2011, the “Science to Business” (S2B) program by “Siemens Ukraine” has been active at our faculty. Through this partnership, the Industrial Automation & Drive Technologies and Power Transmission & Distribution divisions of Siemens support our department in educating world-class technical professionals.
In 2023, the PSA Department established the Siemens Laboratory for Mathematical Modelling in Power Systems, equipped with advanced Siemens automation technologies. The laboratory supports practical coursework across several subjects, facilitates student research for master’s theses, and hosts professional development training for power engineering specialists.