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.
Relations 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 about 16,000 students.
At the beginning of June 2016, negotiations were held on the creation of a double master’s degree program between Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences.
In October 2017, 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 as part of the project “Partnership with Developing Countries in 2017”, which is funded by the DAAD world organization. At the meeting of the working group with THM representatives, the current problems of cooperation were discussed, the main of which is the creation of an international office at our university for joint research, projects and training of masters under the Double Diploma program, thanks to which students of our department will be able to study part of the master’s cycle disciplines in Germany. A number of important issues were discussed at the meeting, special attention was paid to the master’s program, which will begin in autumn 2018. Curricula were agreed upon, research areas were discussed and the terms of students’ stay at the University of Applied Sciences in Germany were determined.
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 car for the international student competition Carolo-Cup 2018, as well as in projects to develop tools for monitoring transients in the electric power system and to study the modes of electric networks in integration of electric vehicles.
In September 2018, the next visit of the department and faculty specialists to German partners took place. At the meeting with the representatives of THM, the current tasks of cooperation were discussed: implementation of joint research, projects and training of masters under the Double Diploma program. Curricula were agreed upon, research areas were discussed and the terms of students’ stay at the University of Applied Sciences in Germany were determined. Soon, four FEPEA students were sent to TNM in Germany for studying.
During their stay in Germany, our teachers got acquainted with TNM laboratories and took part in the annual Workshop, dedicated to the discussion of the latest developments and research in the field of energy, electromechanics and electric drive. The event was also attended by scientists from the University of Applied Sciences and professors from other universities in Germany. Assistant of the Department of Power Systems Automation Ganna Trunina and Associate Professor of the Department of Automation of Electromechanical Systems and Electric Drive Sergey Kovbasa, Ph.D., made reports in which they talked about actual researches which are carried out at the departments of our faculty.
At the beginning of 2019, in accordance with the decision of the Academic Council of Igor Sikorsky KPI dated 11.02.2019 (Protocol No.2), the “Ukrainian-German Training and Research Center of Power Engineering and Electromechanics at Igor Sikorsky KPI” was founded (Order No.7/27 dated February 22, 2019). The main goal of the Center is to support international cooperation, exchange educational, scientific and technical experience, participate in international scientific and educational programs, develop academic and cultural ties between Igor Sikorsky KPI and the Technical Higher School – the University of Applied Sciences (Hesse, Germany). The center provides information support and coordinates internships for students and postgraduates of the FEPEA of Igor Sikorsky KPI at the Technical High School – University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The center is located in room No.328 of the building No.20.
The University of Warwick (United Kingdom)
Undergraduate and graduate students and the lecturers of the PSA Department are doing collaborative research and are actively participating in an international exchange program with The University of Warwick, located near Coventry, UK.
The University of Warwick is one of the top ten universities in the UK. About 50,000 students study in it, among them there are many foreign students from the EU countries, China, Japan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Russia. The University takes an active part in many exchange programs for students as well as graduate students and lecturers.
University of Warwick Administrative Building
From March 9 to July 2, 2020, Volodymyr Guliy, an assistant of the Department of Power Systems Automation, underwent an internship at the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick (Coventry, UK) under the Erasmus+ program.
University of Warwick School of Engineering
Under the internship program in the laboratories of the Department of the School of Engineering, a number of experimental studies were carried out with an air energy storage system and the necessary operating characteristics of the equipment were obtained for their subsequent use in creating simulation models that will be used in subsequent studies in this area. The problem of energy efficiency is relevant today and therefore the use of air energy storage systems will increase the efficiency of the energy system and energy saving. The laboratories of the Department of the School of Engineering are equipped with modern high-tech equipment, the use of which allows conducting modern research in many areas of the energy sector at a high level. Also during the internship a number of meetings and seminars were held to discuss important issues in various areas of research.
Experimental installation of an air energy storage system
The gained experience and knowledge will allow in the future to conduct a number of studies in energy efficiency and energy saving at a higher scientific level.
Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg (Germany)
Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg was founded in 1993. It was created by merging the existing Technical University, the Higher School of Education and the Magdeburg Medical Academy. Today, the University has 9 faculties and almost 14,000 students, becoming more and more important as an educational and research center every year. It plays an important role in the life of the capital of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg, which is gradually becoming a center of business, education and culture.
In September 2015, a working meeting was held between Igor Sikorsky KPI top management and the head of the Institute of Materials Science of Otto von Guericke University (Magdeburg), Professor Michael Scheffler. The Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics at the meeting was presented by the Dean of FEPEA O.S.Yandulskiy and the Deputy Dean of FEPEA V.I.Teryaev.
The The meeting participants discussed a number of issues related to the organization of the Interuniversity International Complex “Mechanical Engineering and Energy” in accordance with the tripartite Memorandum between the Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Wroclaw University of Technology and the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”.
The best students of our department have the opportunity to spend a semester at the University of Magdeburg and receive a double diploma in the relevant program.
Other foreign universities
The Department of Power Systems Automation also has creative ties with Brno University of Technology (Czech Republic), Kielce University of Technology (Poland), Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany) and other foreign universities. In recent years, Indian students from the Vishwaniketan Institute (Mumbai, India) have been doing regular internships at the Department of PSA. For example, in the summer of 2018, the internship program addressed the issues of connecting renewable energy sources to electric networks.
Partnership with international companies
The Department of Power Systems Automation has established cooperation with all the world’s largest manufacturers in the field of electric power, so our students have the opportunity to learn and gain working skills on modern electric power equipment.
Since 2006, an authorized training center of “Schneider Electric Ukraine” company has been operating on the basis of the PSA Department. It is equipped with the most modern hardware and software tools that allows to conduct classes on low and medium voltage equipment, industrial control equipment and automation tools.
The Schneider Electric Center conducts courses to improve the quality of training and retraining of students and engineers, providing an opportunity to gain best practices in the design, implementation and operation of modern equipment for low and medium voltage networks.
In 2013, the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics hosted the grand opening of the training and technical center of “ABB in Ukraine” company. As part of the implementation of the strategic program on corporate social responsibility and promotion of Ukrainian energy and industry, ABB in Ukraine provided modern equipment for four educational and research laboratories at the FEPEA.
Thanks to this, students of the PSA Department have the opportunity to study and gain working skills on modern equipment in the laboratory of ABB SCADA and telemechanics systems and in the specialized laboratory of ABB relay protection and automation.
Since 2011, on the basis of the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering and Automatics, the “Siemens Ukraine” corporate program “Science to Business” (S2B) has been implemented. Within the framework of this cooperation, the Industrial Automation and Drive Technologies and Power Transmission and Distribution divisions of Siemens Ukraine support the departments of our faculty in training of world-class technical specialists.