At the end of June, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and the Ministry for Strategic Industries of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The document mentions creating conditions for advanced research and development work in armaments, military, and special equipment. They also aim to implement innovative technologies and modern management models in the military and defense industries.
It is the first Memorandum by the newly-appointed Ministry for Strategic Industries of Ukraine signed with a university. The Ministry also intends to sign agreements with other leading universities of Ukraine.
“The Memorandum envisages," said Michael Zgurovsky, Rector of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, after the signing ceremony, "first of all, the search for and selection of the best developments and startups to be implemented in the defense industry of Ukraine." The Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute staff and students have a lot of experience here. The Sikorsky Challenge Innovation Ecosystem has been running for more than 12 years. Those startups that take part in the project festival can be of high demand by defense industry enterprises.”
Oleh Uruskyi, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, also mentioned the Sikorsky Challenge, “About ten significant defense technologies coming from this competition have already been put into service in the Ukrainian army". Besides, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has established the Information and Analytical Situation Center that aims to improve analytical and information support for decision-making management.
The Ministry for Strategic Industries of Ukraine sponsored and, together with the SC Ukroboronprom, helped establish the Institute of Advanced Defense Technologies at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. It will work as the platform where domestic scientists and representatives of the defense industry will exchange experiences and ideas where startup companies will be able to implement their ideas and developments,” the Ministry Head emphasized. According to the Ministry Head, the Institute will become an essential basis for the future Defense Technology Agency for developing innovations in strategic industries. It will ultimately contribute to the development of, in particular, the defense and aerospace sectors of Ukraine.