Good afternoon, dear colleagues! The year 2021 is coming to an end. It was a complicated year primarily due to the unpredictable spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the year, more than 60% of the University teachers, staff, and students contracted COVID-19 of different types. Fifteen teachers and staff died of the disease. Mass vaccination covered more than 93% of teachers, 85% of staff, and more than 60% of students. Such measures approved the stable functioning of the University in all areas of work.
1. The academic year 2021 started mixed-mode. However, in the middle of the semester, the quarantine restrictions switched the training to distance learning. The Sikorsky Distance Learning Platform, which houses almost 3,000 courses, and the University Electronic Campus allowed us to continue training and provide quality education.
2. The ending year demonstrated that Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is a sought-after strategic partner for many high-tech companies. For instance, Progresstech Ukraine, Boeing, Huawei Ukraine, Ajax, Samsung, DTEK, Antonov State Enterprise, NNEGC “Energoatom” and others. Today, dual education at the University covers 47 study programs, in contrast to the previous year, when there were only a few dual study programs.
3. The three-year plan for strategic development became crucial for Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. In 2021, following this plan, training and laboratory equipment was invested for a total of UAH 10 million; new infrastructure projects started; we made necessary steps towards informatization of educational and administrative activities of the University, etc.
4. The information policy of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has changed significantly. Thus, in 2021 the total number of users in Telegram reached 22,000, the number of subscribers on the Facebook pages of departments exceeded 37,000, and the all audience on the official Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Facebook resources exceeded 58,000. Departments and offices posted more in English, so the English content increased by 34%, while Faculties and Institutes by 26%.
5. The Document Management System Megapolis.DocNet has been introduced within the University, which covers 348 users representing all structural subdivisions. The System of electronic interaction integrated 4034 organizations. An automated system "Kadry" ("Personnel") is ready to be launched the following year.
6. During the year 2021, University departments underwent the first stage of internal accreditation: 302 study programs in 46 specialties. As a result, 16 departments have got reorganized, 90 study programs have been updated and modified into 41 study programs of the first and second higher education level. The Institute of Nuclear and Heat Power Engineering has been established based on the Faculty of Heat and Power Engineering. Together with NNEGC “Energoatom”, the Institute currently forms human resources for one of the most significant branches of Ukrainian industry.
7. The National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance in 2021 accredited 34 study programs, of which 19 are doctorates (4 study programs are exemplary), 8 are master's (2 study programs are exemplary), 7 are bachelor's (1 study program is exemplary). In total, since the beginning of the new accreditation procedure at the NAQA, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has got accredited 49 study programs. Another 79 study programs will be accredited in 2022.
8. A new competitive selection system of research and teaching staff has been introduced. It is based on transparent selection criteria. In 2021, according to these criteria, a competition was held to fill 725 positions: 4 deans, 40 department heads, 101 professors, 282 associate professors, 298 teachers, and assistants. Among the 40 department heads elected this year, 30 have been selected for the first time. The average age of this workers category has decreased by 10 years.
9. The career guidance platform KPIAbitInfo has been working extensively with young people in terms of "high schooler - entrant - student". They organized many events: KPIAbitFest Open Day, TechnoArtKPI Engineering Festival, JASU projects, job fairs, plant and factory tours, webinars, workshops, development of the Entrant Catalog, Career Guide, and others.
10. Academic mobility with foreign and Ukrainian universities has expanded. This year, 60 students and 192 teachers participated in the academic mobility programs. The regulatory framework for national mobility got updated.
11. The achievements of the University in science have proved significant. Seven Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute teachers and scientists have been awarded the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology. Two of our young colleagues got the President's Prize for Young Scientists. Nine more young scientists have won the Prize of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Young Scientists. 30 students have won international competitions, Olympiads, competitions, and hackathons.
12. The University enjoyed the opportunity to shine in the international sphere. In 2021, the University held 148 international events, including 29 conferences. 75 international agreements were concluded. Meetings with ambassadors of nine countries took place. 62 delegations from 24 countries visited Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. The number of foreign students increased by 10% compared to 2020. There are 713 of them today.
13. The University facilities have been well maintained. Dormitory #5 for 700 beds is completed. Now it is ready to house new residents. Campus buildings #1, 6, 7, 18, 19, 22, 35, and dormitories #1, 4, 12, 14, 22 got repaired. We carried out systematic work in energy saving, fire, environmental safety, labor protection, elevator and heat management, etc.
14. A new image of the University was captured through artistic and architectural landscaping and greenery. In 2021, a monument and two memorial plaques to the outstanding Kyiv Industrial Institute graduate of 1941 Boris Paton were established; the Pioneers of Aviation Square became open where the historic AN-2 aircraft was installed, and a mural near the campus building #18; a 3.2-hectare park area was laid out along Borshchahivska Street. More than 650 trees were planted during 2021.
15. We also solved the social issues of students and staff of the University. 1,400 employees and students recovered at four recreation centers. More than 1,300 people spent a weekend at “Politehnic” and “Sosnovyi” camps. Effective financial management made it possible to ensure the University's stable functioning and timeliness of all payments. The salary fund of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute employees increased by 11.5% compared to the previous year, the average monthly salary - by 12.7%. All social benefits were paid.
To sum up, our University has managed not only to work smoothly in all areas, but also achieve new results in education, research, innovation, and business.
I wish you, dear colleagues, successful completion of 2021, health to you and your family, hope and optimism for the near future.
Thank you for your attention!
Rector of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute
Michael Zgurovsky