Vladyslav Boyko, owner and executive director of KyivMedService, a national leader in the maintenance and repair of medical equipment, machinery, and instruments, is a graduate of the Department of Laser Engineering and Physical and Technical Technologies at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. A successful engineer and manager, he does not break ties with his alma mater. “We know everything about medical technology, and even a little bit more,” says the entrepreneur, "and we want to share our knowledge and experience with current students.
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Their pupil is gladly accepted at the Yevgeny Paton Institute of IMZ. So recently he told future engineers and scientists not only about the achievements of KyivMedService and career opportunities in it, but also recalled his own student years. The opinions of a successful person are always worthy of attention, especially for applicants, so here are fragments of the conversation with him.
About the team. “There is no staff turnover in our company: most of the craftsmen have been repairing specialized medical equipment for over 30 years, have in-depth knowledge of design, the basics of diagnosis and repair,” Vladyslav began his story, "Physiotherapy devices, high-tech MRI machines, endosurgical equipment, and much more are trusted by doctors from all over Ukraine. He added: “But I want to emphasize: it is thanks to Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, teachers and mentors that I realized that I found myself in a profession that, without exaggeration, is the basis of all technological progress of mankind and is proudly called ENGINEER.”
About the department (hereinafter in the first person). "While studying at the Department of Laser Engineering and Physical and Technical Technologies, I discovered a new world that has unlimited possibilities for self-development and realization. After all, the laser occupies an honorable place in medicine, industry, science and is, without exaggeration, a vast field for research and discovery. It so happens that I have been working with medical equipment for many years and every day I see how lasers save lives and make minimally invasive interventions and operations possible, which until recently were open and quite traumatic. It is extremely interesting to observe how highly sophisticated mechanisms created by engineers give rise to highly concentrated laser radiation. It is quite obvious that mastering this profession begins in university classrooms filled with pages of notes and the excitement of exams, and in laboratories with numerous practical tasks and sometimes unpredictable results."
From his own experience. “Here are my life hacks for studying at university.”
Choice. "When choosing a future profession, applicants are usually guided by the advice of their parents and elders, and rely on their intuition. So, there is no wrong choice, but there is a way of self-knowledge and search for your “I”, which is formed by the experience of mistakes and right decisions that create you as a person and a future specialist. And today's choice will not necessarily become your life's work."
Responsibility. "Unlike school, no one will pull your leg at university. That is, everything you earn goes into your academic performance basket. Unfortunately, you will have to chase after your teachers and defend your ability not to be expelled from the very first semester. But don't be afraid, everyone has done it, and even I passed the resistive test 7 times, which we recall at alumni meetings as a nightmare of an engineer. You will succeed, you just need to cram a little or be good at cheating (I didn't tell you that)."
Invest in relationships. "Everyone has their own skills and capabilities. Some people can easily solve logarithmic equations at the blackboard, while others can't say a word or write a single line. We are all different, and our level of training is also different. This is normal. Support your classmates, help them out if necessary, and inspire them by your own example. Of course, everyone is responsible for their own success, but such little things will help you gain respect among your peers and, believe me, will pay dividends even many years later."
You can be expelled. "There were 32 of us when we entered, and only 16 graduated, and the paradox of my observations is that not the weakest were expelled. The main thing here is not to “catch the star” of overconfidence, because, as practice has shown, students who found their studies quite easy began to philander. Indeed, student life is full of adventures and interesting events, opportunities and temptations. But the rule: I'll study later, then pass, retake, catch up, unfortunately, does not work. The responsibility of adulthood begins at university. The main conclusion for me and my message is this: only by finding the strength to resist laziness and the temptations of a carefree life, overcoming self-confidence and arrogance, can you achieve something."
Cooperation with Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. "I often communicate with the teachers of the department and not only share news about my work, but also, whenever possible, donate various equipment to the university for use in the educational process. For example, we presented the department with an ultrasound machine that can not only examine patients but also simulate the presence of inclusions in various materials (it is used for ultrasonic inspection of the quality and purity of the internal structures of a product after welding or laser surfacing).
We are currently considering options for postgraduate internships for our department graduates, integrating them into our work processes in the workshop and directly in hospitals in our city. It will be very interesting and exciting, I promise you!"
The war. "Yes, it was scary. And at first we did not know what to do and how to act. From the very first day, we received many calls, especially from military institutions and hospitals. I remember how in the first week of the war we were working in the operating room of the Main Military Clinical Hospital, repairing an X-ray machine, and there was a soldier with a bullet wound lying next to us on the operating table. We repaired the machine, and right before our eyes, the doctors found the location of the bullet and removed it. At the same time, explosions were heard and it was very disturbing, because we were at a facility that could become a target of the enemy."
Everyday life. "For three years now, we have been receiving many requests from both the military and civilians every day. We do not refuse anyone. After the re-profiling, we decided to repair everything related to medical issues. "We accept orders from the Armed Forces, territorial defense, and individuals, and we are focused on helping the army and protecting the population. We repair everything" - this banner was posted on our website. And that's exactly how we work.
I will not hide the fact that our customers are grateful to us for our professionalism, fruitful cooperation and contribution to the development of healthcare: "Your support is an important testament to your concern, kindness and hope. May your generosity be returned to you a hundredfold." Of course, it's nice to hear that."
Charity. "It is quite obvious that we cooperate a lot with charitable foundations and humanitarian organizations. The experience has been different: both very positive and vice versa. So now we laser engrave all the equipment we give to doctors as charity: "humanitarian aid, not for sale" to prevent its further unfair sale. We also decided to turn one of our premises into an indestructible point: we bought a generator, heaters and installed the Internet, and arranged a comfortable area for people to stay. The work did not stop for a day."
How to survive. "An active lifestyle has always helped me to preserve my vital energy and tune in to the result. In life, as in sports, you have to fight for victory, and my sports background helps me a lot. Rowing, cycling, diving, skiing, fishing - I have many active hobbies." (Vladyslav has a candidate master of sports degree in rowing (rowing slalom, was a member of the Kyiv national team) and is the Ukrainian champion in the expert category - ed.)
The main thing for today. "Not to be afraid to make mistakes, to believe in yourself, to stumble and move on. Do not get tired of thanking the Armed Forces, donating, being ready to defend and build our country. Because we have no other country."