For me, philosophy courses at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute are always a discovery. For 15 years - in classes on practical rhetoric, now - in reflections on the philosophy of science. I discover real treasures of talents and original thoughts in the students. According to my observations, when a technical mind combines with a humanitarian interest, it results in such a "combustible mixture" of creativity that its impact remains in the memory for a long time.
I am getting unforgettable impressions from this semester, which is taking place online, under martial law, in an atmosphere of prolonged stress and exceptional worries. Not only I, but also my colleagues have noticed that a special sincerity has emerged in our communication with graduate students and undergraduates, and that there is a frank exchange of ideas and life stories. It seems that in these tragic and, at the same time, majestic times, the dust of falsehood and formalities seems to be falling off many people, and it becomes clearer who is worth what.
Our graduate students are worthy of attention and respect. I could say a lot about the fact that from time to time the lecture format turns into lively conversations and even discussions on purely philosophical problems and "eternal" questions. But what impressed me the most was the request of one of the graduate students, Vladyslav Honcharuk, to forgive him for missing classes because of his work for the Armed Forces, and his short story about it.
So, let's meet Vladyslav Honcharuk, 25 years old, a graduate student majoring in Nuclear Power Engineering at the KPI Educational and Research Institute of Nuclear and Thermal Energy. Currently, he is studying remotely and simultaneously working in the staff of one of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. In his spare time, mostly alone, and sometimes with a couple of friends, he produces unique parts for the military vehicles and weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that are so much needed at the front.
M.P. - Vladyslav, how did you end up working at a nuclear power plant? Was it a conscious choice of work?
V.G. - Yes. I have long been fascinated by nuclear energy, and I am glad to work here, although it was not easy to get here. I went through a strict selection process, a series of interviews, special checks and waited six months until I got the approval for employment. However, I am not exactly in the field of my chosen specialty. For me, graduate school is a global path of further scientific research and intellectual growth, and at the station I am a 4th category electrician and I am very happy with what I do. Since childhood, I have dreamed of making something with my own hands and seeing the result. I remember how enthusiastically I read the Young Cybernetics magazine as a schoolboy. And when I became interested in electronics and physics in my master's program, I realized that everything was not in vain: I had to follow my own calling.
- After Chornobyl, some specialists shy away from nuclear power plants. Especially now, when, as we know, there were threatening "arrivals" near your plant. Aren't you afraid of risks? And, by the way, why do you so openly mention your name and place of work?
- My specialty training and practical experience convinced me: NPP is a powerful protected machine. We check the radiation level every hour, and it is very low. The building can withstand an earthquake of up to 7 points. The entire team works in a coordinated and responsible manner. I'm not hiding or afraid, because I know that if, God forbid, racists come here, I won't live anyway. I come from a family where conscience and the willingness to sacrificially fight for justice and freedom have always been in the first place.
- Please tell us a little bit about your family.
- I am very lucky. Our family is sincere and friendly: my father, mother, sister and brother. We consider ourselves true Ukrainians from generation to generation. My father is currently serving in the Armed Forces. My mom is a housekeeper. Before the war, no day went by without warm conversations at the common table, reading books, discussing the news and problems in everyone's lives. Even before the war, we went through a lot. In particular, my sister had a terrible illness, which we managed to overcome. My parents are believers and believe that they have prayed for their daughter in death. We all appreciate each other very much... I am personally an atheist, but I sometimes read the Bible and believe that the sacred guidelines of life set forth there are a universal moral code.
- Let's get back to your personal assistance to the army. How did you create a separate workshop called "Payalo"?
- It all started when I realized that our military had a huge shortage of some small but very important things, including batteries, power banks, and tablets. To make them, I collected old computers and fragments of e-cigarettes from friends and acquaintances, and through social networks - and from people who cared - I started making important elements from their parts. In the course of work, a lot of small parts need to be soldered, so the workshop was named accordingly. At first, everything was done in a small one-room apartment where my fiancée and I live. Then I spent half a year begging the local authorities to give me a room, and I finally got it. Now I have my own laboratory and workshop. Sometimes I teach others to do the same, but mostly I work alone. Every day I produce more than two hundred parts for communication systems and auxiliary weapon systems.
- Does anyone help you financially - local authorities, the state?
- I started doing everything at my own expense. For many years, I bought quite expensive tools, which I eventually sold at a profit, and had money saved for an apartment. But the war came, and I used my financial reserves for the main thing: to make a contribution to the future Victory. The money was spent on the production of the first 100 drogue systems for drones and 7-8 items of other things. In addition, during the war year, I talked about my work on social media, and quite a few people started donating to the common cause. What is money? It is just a means, a tool for other tasks. When I saw Bucha and Irpin, when I looked into the eyes of those who risk their lives on the front line, I decided to help as much as I could. It is said that refugees develop a so-called "survivor's complex," but I have it too: although I live in Ukraine, I am not at the front line, not where the real heroes are risking their lives, burying their comrades, and dying.
We all know that volunteers do a lot for the army. However, I would like to note that some of the volunteers are "deflated" by the overload. I have seen this happen before my eyes: they pack humanitarian aid with zeal, take it to the right places, but after a month or two they get tired. Not everyone was ready for the war to last so long. I work full-time and constantly, and I cannot be broken. I am glad that we managed to make the process of assistance continuous. I would add that many volunteers remain unbreakable, just like our soldiers.
- Tell me, who do you call Plato-Plato from time to time? Or is it a reminder of your philosophy course?
- Plato is our dog, a bulldog. His real name is Daniel Defoe, and his nickname is Plato. He used to have a rather intellectual owner. But at some point she decided to drown the dog or put him to sleep. It was in her way, bothering her. I accidentally found out about it and took Platon, and now he is a full-fledged member of our family, although he is the size of a pet pig. He weighs more than 10 kg. But before the war, he was a champion in dog competitions and has a very noble background, which is recorded in a special passport. We love him, and he loves us.
- Vladyslav, what would you like to wish KPI students at the end of our conversation?
- Oh, here we have to philosophize. First of all, I think you have to do something better than others and try to learn some useful things from other people. Going back to my childhood, I remember trying to understand the secret of my classmate who only got A's. I might have wanted to be a model student as well, but it didn't work out. Maybe it was because I only studied those subjects that were most interesting. But I really respected the excellent student for his versatility. And I noticed that this guy was always as neat as possible, with clean fingernails, which was not common among teenagers. I confess that since then, I have always had clean nails and a tidy appearance.
Regarding our university, which I sincerely love and respect, I want to recall the KPI Honor Code. I confess that when I was a student, my friends and I even made fun of this document a little bit. What kind of honor can there be when we, for example, live in dormitories with cockroaches and in winter we chatter our teeth from the cold in classrooms? But now I have a completely different opinion about this document and about the idea of Honor itself. It is the most important thing in any situation. Honor is the honesty of remaining human. To be clean not only externally but also internally. To have your own dignity and be able to defend it. To have a conscience. Otherwise, if you fall apart morally, you will fall into a psychological trap. And there you will find cowardice, betrayal, and a loss of spirit. So I wish everyone to have their own Code of Honor and follow it.