On December 5-6, the Ukrainian-American Defense Industries Conference was held in Washington, D.C., with the support of the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Representatives of U.S. and Ukrainian companies and government agencies discussed opportunities for cooperation and strengthening Ukraine's defense industry. This event signaled the U.S. official support for high-level industrial cooperation to build Ukraine's industry, which will contribute to the long-term support and re-equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. All aspects of the conference and its results were widely covered in the domestic and foreign media.
In today's publication, we will tell you about three representatives of the university's Student Parliament - KPI students who were part of the Ukrainian delegation and had the opportunity to present their own projects to American investors at this conference.
But first, let's talk about their trip to the United States.
Given the significance of the scientific and technical achievements of Kyiv Polytechnics, the decision to go was made during a visit to KPI on November 28 by representatives of Ukraine's military and political leadership. Then came the paperwork for the three KPI students and their long journey - first to Warsaw, then to Frankfurt, and then by plane to Washington. The delegation consisted of the president of the university's Student Parliament, fourth-year student of the Institute of IATE Yulia Maksymiuk, fourth-year student of FEL Ivan Zagorulko and third-year student of the Institute of IAT Oleksii Lisovenko. In fact, they represented not only Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, but the entire student community of Ukraine.
Yulia Maksymiuk told the KP correspondent about some of her impressions of this visit and participation in the conference.
- What projects did you present at the conference?
- Each of us spoke at one of the conference panels. I presented our development - a drop system for drones. This system is universal and can carry both a combat payload that can hit the enemy and, for example, provisions for the military. There are many such systems being developed in Ukraine, but the advantage of ours is its low cost. She also spoke about the electric stretcher, a development of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute partner Dmytro Mamonov. The Student Parliament is also involved in this project. These electric stretchers can carry up to 150 kg and work both with radio control and mechanics - this is our joint project with the Formula 1 club. Oleksii Lisovenko spoke about the work on the project, which is being implemented at the Institute of IAT. Ivan Zahorulko presented the development of his team - an electromagnetic system for detecting engineered ammunition. During the conversation with members of our delegation, in particular with representatives of Ukroboronprom, it was noted that this development is an urgent humanitarian problem, because the territories that are liberated from the enemy need to be demined, which is a very large amount of work.
- Can you share your main impressions of the conference in the United States?
- I was impressed by the activity of American and European partners in supporting Ukraine. This really inspires us to work on helping the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Many of the university representatives represented at this conference offered to participate in a student exchange program. And business representatives expressed interest in hiring Ukrainian youth in their companies. It was interesting to meet with Charles Dean, Vice President of the American company AeroVironment. We invited him to visit Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute during his planned trip to Ukraine in 2024.
- Yulia, let me ask you something not about the conference. You have recently joined the Kyiv City Youth Council. What is this structure, what is its purpose?
- This is a body under the Kyiv City Council whose main purpose is to empower young people to make a real contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the capital. A few months ago, I applied from Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, filled out the appropriate form and resume, and after being selected from among all the applicants, I was informed that I was included in the first composition of this council. I will work hard.
- Thank you for your story. I wish you new successes in your work in the Student Parliament of the university and in your activities in the city youth council.