On March 11, 2021, representatives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan visited Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. The day before, the delegation took part in the Second Meeting of the Ukrainian-Afghan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. So, the University meeting was attended by high-ranking officials of this country, for instance, government officials, members of parliament, diplomats, heads of large government agencies, and businesses in Afghanistan. Minister of Industry and Commerce Nisar Ahmad Faizi Ghoryani headed the delegation of Afghanistan. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Wali Monawar was also present at the official meeting.
Almost all official delegations have been to Kyiv and the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” for the first time. Hence, Rector Mykhailo Zgurovsky gave the visiting delegation a short tour of the University.
The guests also went to see some exhibits of the State Polytechnic Museum and, in particular, the Department of Aviation and Cosmonautics of the State Polytechnic Museum.
Later, the Parties discussed the prospective areas in cooperation between enterprises and organizations of Afghanistan and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in science and technology. The meeting participants also spoke about obtaining quality higher education at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute for young Afghan citizens. The Afghanistan officials watched with great interest the videos about the University's activities in science and technology. The guests also got acquainted with the projects “KPI Innovative” and “KPI. Conquest of Space”, which have been implemented at various faculties and departments.
‘First of all, we are interested in cooperation with Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in military and technology,’ Nisar Ahmad Faizi Ghoryani said after the meeting, ‘and, of course, the opportunity of obtaining technical education here. I hope that Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Kabul Polytechnic University will cooperate. And, of course, we are considering a range of engineering specialties that we will be able to send students to you.’
First Vice Chairman at the International Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan Zabihullah Ziarmal praised what he saw at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Moreover, he added that since he is a graduate of Kabul Polytechnic University, he was especially interested in visiting and getting acquainted with the most famous Ukrainian technical University. He named two main areas opening new chances for the development of cooperation. The first is a partnership in the field of education. The second is scientific and technological cooperation, notably advanced technologies, modern industrial equipment, etc. i.e., those areas in which Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has breakthrough achievements.
‘I think students from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will study not only at the bachelor level but also at the master and Ph.D. levels,’ said Director of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Center for International Education Volodymyr Koval. He explained that those Aphganistan students who speak English would immediately study the first year of bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. programs.
The rest students will study Ukrainian at the Preparatory Department of the Center. They will not only master the Ukrainian language but also learn the fundamental disciplines required for University admission.