The importance of training engineers for Ukraine is undeniable in the context of the current situation in the country. Engineers are the driving force of any technical system or production process.
On the initiative of ESD Consortium Aichi, Japan International Cooperation Agency, representatives of universities and industrial companies of Aichi Prefecture (Japan), a meeting with representatives of Sumy State University was held on August 6, 2022.
As part of the meeting, Prof. Vitalii Ivanov, the Head of the Department of Manufacturing Technology, Machines and Tools, presented Sumy State University and its educational and scientific activities during martial law using the example of engineering. Dr. Mykola Nazarov, Director of Research Center for Regional Security, presented an exhaustive overview of the current situation in Sumy in medicine, education, and industry, emphasizing the destroyed infrastructure facilities and the challenges that must be overcome. Dr. Khrystyna Berladir, responsible secretary of the Faculty of Technical Systems and Energy Efficient Technologies outlined the trends of the entrance company to the engineering specialties of Sumy State University. She emphasized the competencies acquired by graduates of engineering educational programs. Prof. Ivan Pavlenko, professor of the Volodymyr Martsynkovskyy Computational Mechanics Department, presented the TeSET faculty's experience in organizing students' scientific activities and presented the achievements of engineering students at competitions of student scientific works at the all-Ukrainian and international levels. Dr. Yuriy Merzlyakov, director of the department of pre-university education and career guidance, described the work of Sumy State University with secondary education institutions and the importance of popularizing engineering education among young people. Mrs. Yana Mysnyk, an English teacher of Public Educational Institution Sumy Specialized School No. 9 of levels 1-3, presented a positive experience of involving student youth in the projects: "STEM Girls", "Energy-efficient schools: a new generation", etc.
The representatives of the Japanese side expressed readiness to deepen the partnership with Sumy State University, in particular, taking into account the previous positive experience of cooperation with Prof. Vitalii Ivanov within the framework of the "Industrial Technological Education" program, which was implemented with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Prof. Hidetoshi Miyakawa noted this in his speech. He highly appreciated the achievements of Sumy State University and the potential of the Faculty of Technical Systems and Energy-Efficient Technologies.
Prof. Kazuhiro Kitamura expressed his willingness to support the Faculty of Technical Systems and Energy Efficient Technologies and his desire to cooperate in the field of mechanical engineering. Prof. Toshiyuki Kamada proposed to develop a plan for cooperative research in the direction of smart manufacturing. Prof. Naomi Hisanaga noted the importance of engineering education for Ukraine and drew attention to the tools and areas that need attention for infrastructure repair. Mr. Mitsuhiko Yamada, a representative of an industrial company, expressed his readiness to provide technical support to Sumy State University.
The parties agreed to discuss further steps of cooperation at the next meeting.
To attention:
ESD Consortium Aichi is an organization whose activities are aimed at promoting education for the sustainable development of educational institutions in Aichi Prefecture (Japan).
Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government agency that coordinates official development assistance and promotes economic and social growth in developing countries and their international cooperation.