On October 29, 2021, a delegation of the Embassy of the State of Israel in Ukraine consisting of the First Secretary, Head of Public Affairs of the Embassy Alexandra Ben Ari, Embassy Communications Coordinator Diana Zhuromska, and others visited Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. The first Vice-Rector of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Yurii Yakimenko, Director of the International Collaboration Department Alla Kovtun, Dean of the Faculty of Sociology and Law Yana Tsymbalenko, Head of Employment and Professional Development - Students Career and Recruitment Centre Natalia Pozharska, and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Linguistics Olga Demydenko met the guests.
The meeting participants discussed the participation of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in joint social projects with the Holon Institute of Technology, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and the National Children's Specialized Hospital OKHMATDYT supported by the Embassy of the State of Israel in Ukraine. During the conversation, the meeting participants agreed to create projects from scientists and developers of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. These should be interdisciplinary projects, for example, at the intersection of digital medicine, pedagogy, art design, work with children with disabilities. The initiative will also include startup projects involving Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute students.
Alexandra Ben Ari spoke about the main purpose of the meeting: “We met to debate on an essential topic - accessibility, inclusion, work with children. Together with Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, we would like to implement projects concerning children's hospitals and children with disabilities”.
Commenting on the meeting results, Yurii Yakimenko said: “In general, this is a noble aim because it is about cooperation and improving the lives of children with disabilities. We can give them greater opportunities in inclusive education and other aspects of life. It is what our students are doing at the Faculty of Sociology and Law - they are preparing to become specialists in social work - and the social student service”. He also stressed the importance of such projects for students studying at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, in particular implementing their developments that will help children with disabilities to live a full life in society.
In the final part of the meeting, the parties agreed on further cooperation between Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and university partners from Israel with the support of the Embassy. Therefore, the diplomatic office will send the University a list of its proposals for specific types of further cooperation. These can be webinars, lectures, exhibitions, round tables, etc.
For Reference:
Accessibility is about equal rights and opportunities for all, and in particular for those who experience the limitations of society.
Inclusion is a process that provides access to social life for all categories of people, regardless of their physical, mental, intellectual or other characteristics.