On April the 1st the first astronaut of independent Ukraine, a Ukrainian Hero and a Major General Leonid Kostiantynovych Kadeniuk gained a diploma and the degree of Honorary Doctor of Aircraft and Space Systems Faculty of National Technical University of Ukraine "Kyiv Polytechnic Institute". At the meeting of the University Academic Council, the rector of KPI and an academician of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences Mykhaylo Zgurovsky handed out the diploma, cloak, bonnet and badge of Honorary Doctor to the first astronaut of our country.
Leonid Kadeniuk has a long-time and strong relationship with KPI. Several times he participated in scientific readings at the State Polytechnic Museum of NTUU "KPI", he is always a welcome guest at events which are carried out at KPI by Kyiv Minor Academy of Sciences of Schoolchildren and the Ukrainian Youth Space Association "Suziria" ("Constellation"), cooperates with students and lecturers of the Aircraft and Space Systems Faculty. Moreover, as one of the leading figures of the Ukrainian space branch and the former member of the Ukrainian parliament he has often helped with solving questions concerning the providing of training of specialists of the corresponding profile at KPI. The decision to award him with this title was adopted by Academic Councils of the university and Aircraft and Space Systems Faculty.
"Today’s event is very remarkable for me. To become an Honorary Doctor of such a university as NTUU "KPI” is not only a great honor but also a big responsibility, – said Leonid Kadeniuk after the awards ceremony. – So, now I feel the responsibility for KPI and for those people who study there. I am especially pleased that the decision to award me with this title was adopted by the Academic Council of Aircraft and Space Systems Faculty. I have been lucky in my life; I worked both in aviation and cosmonautics. These are related branches. They are interconnected and have become native for me...".