Water is the most common substance in the world and, at the same time, it is almost the most polluted substance in the world (mainly due to man-made activities). According to experts, Ukraine is considered one of the least prosperous countries in Europe in terms of local water resources - 1 thousand m3 per capita (in Sweden and Germany - 2.5 thousand m3, France - 3.5 thousand m3, Great Britain - 5 thousand m3). According to the UN Economic Commission for Europe, a country whose water resources do not exceed 1.5 thousand m3 of annual runoff per person is considered to not be water-supplied. This situation can not but worry professionals.
Certificate program "Water and modern water technologies”
"Ukraine, as a European country with the smallest water reserves on the continent, persistent tendencies to deterioration and reduction of surface water and groundwater sources, outdated centralized water treatment technologies and dilapidated infrastructure, must be fully integrated into the global process of overcoming the water crisis," said doctor of technical sciences, Professor of the Department of Inorganic Substances, Water Purification and General Chemical Technology (Department of Inorganic Substances and General Chemical Technology) (TNR) of the Faculty of Chemical Technology of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
Changes for the better, of course, occur: deveral large industrial water treatment plants for technological needs were introduced at electric power, metallurgical, food, and pharmaceutical enterprises based on the use of the most modern methods, several water supply systems were reconstructed, modern installations for drainage water treatment of landfills were introduced, etc. "The most notable achievement, - say at the department of TNR - is the emergence of a new branch of production - local water treatment, which requires for its successful operation of professionally trained professionals of modern level. At present, there is no HEI in Ukraine that would fully train specialists in this field. “ According to preliminary estimates, the minimum projected need of the Ukrainian labour market for highly qualified specialists in modern water treatment and water purification is 25-30 people per year.
Training of such specialists involves not only understanding the aspects of water chemistry and analysis of its pollution, materials, methods and technologies of treatment, development, design, maintenance and operation of equipment, but also knowledge of computer methods of data processing and water quality monitoring, water management and waste. Awareness of the legal, economic and environmental aspects, marketing, innovation and project financing is part of the training of water treatment professionals at the world's leading universities.
To solve this problem, the department of TNR introduced a certificate program "Water and modern water technologies" for masters in the speciality 161 "Chemical Technologies and Engineering". In the future, it is planned to expand to train external students and engineering practitioners who specialize in modern water treatment and purification.
The certificate program provides for the acquisition of knowledge and deepening of competencies acquired during the study of disciplines "Modern methods of air conditioning and purification", "Course project on modern methods of air conditioning and purification", "Modern methods of domestic and industrial wastewater treatment and reuse" and "Information support of scientific research". It is aimed at students mastering the features of the organization, implementation and management of modern technologies for water treatment, water desalination and wastewater treatment; more flexible response to the current needs of the labour market in the field of modern water treatment and purification. The program is filled with unique content and author's courses, which are characterized by the relevance of information and its application, which allows you to acquire additional knowledge and skills and expand the range of career opportunities in this area.
The teaching staff of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and professors from universities in Europe and the United States, as well as leading experts from Ukrainian and foreign companies with experience in practical work with modern water treatment equipment and in the organization of water treatment business will take part in the training of specialists.
Centre for Modern Water Technologies
For training under the certificate program "Water and modern water technologies" at XTF of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute a training and research and testing centre of modern water technologies was established, sponsored by the NGO "Ecosoft" and the All-Ukrainian public organization of water treatment specialists "Waternet".
In September 2021, the Centre for Modern Water Technologies began its activities. The opening ceremony was attended by Vice-Rector for Research Valery Pasichnyk, Dean of XTF Olga Linyucheva, Head of the Centre Tetyana Mitchenko. On behalf of the sponsors, Andriy Mitchenko, General Director of Ecosoft NGO, and Yulia Berezhna, Technical Director of Waternet NGO, visited. Warm words and wishes were expressed by Anna Tsvetkova, a member of the Committee on Compliance with the UNECE-WHO Water and Health Protocol Europe. The opening of the Centre online was attended by Associate Professor of the Norwegian University of Natural Sciences, a graduate of the Department of Inorganic Substances Technology, Water Treatment and General Chemical Technology Zakhar Maletsky, who proposed to continue international cooperation between the Norwegian University of Natural Sciences and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in the framework of "Water Harmony" projects. Director of the State Polytechnic Museum Nataliia Pysarevska noted that the museum's cooperation with XTF, which was previously associated with the competition for schoolchildren "All-Ukrainian Youth Water Prize", goes to the next level of interaction with students and teachers of XTF.
The Centre for Modern Water Technologies includes:
- educational and research technological laboratory for laboratory and practical work in the framework of the certificate program and research work of masters and graduate students. The laboratory is located on the areas of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute department XTF in a specially equipped room, equipped with the necessary technological equipment and modern measuring instruments;
- testing laboratory of ion exchange and adsorption for laboratory work within the certification program. Laboratory (№117, 4th building) certified by Ukrmetrteststandart and equipped with special equipment for work in accordance with the field of certification. Currently, the laboratory conducts tests of sorption and membrane materials, cartridges for water purification and determines the quality of drinking and process water, as well as research with the participation of masters and graduate students;
- modern classroom №164 in the 4th building, where lectures and seminars for participants of the certificate program will take place.
The scientific and innovative activity of the Centre envisages cooperation with 15 scientific groups from different faculties of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute , participation in international projects and grants, co-organization of conferences and participation in exhibitions dedicated to water quality and water technologies; publication of a professional magazine of category B "Water and water treatment technologies. Scientific and Technical News ", which is in line with the requirements of the journals of the scientometric database Web of Science and Scopus.
Head of the centre - Doctor of Technical Sciences, prof. T.E. Mitchenko, deputy Head of educational and organizational work - Doctor of Technical Sciences, Assoc. I.V. Kosogin, deputy. Head of Research and Testing - candidate of chemical sciences S.L.Vasilyuk, deputy Head of Information and Journalistic Work - Doctor of Technical Sciences, Assoc. T.A. Dontsova.