The main theme of the meeting became the transition from student life to professional life (the «Student-to-Young Professionals» transition), the development of leadership skills and career development in the field of cutting-edge technologies. Participants discussed international initiatives, opportunities for professional development and ways of engaging young people in research work.

The meetup’s special guest – Mohamed Saeed Darweesh, Associate Professor at Nile University (Egypt), Chair of the IEEE Region 8 Young Professionals Committee and a member of several other IEEE committees – spoke about the activities and projects of Region 8, which covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He introduced participants to initiatives aimed at supporting young professionals and expanding their participation in the international professional community. Kseniia Minakova, a professor in the Department of Micro- and Nanoelectronics at ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» (ɫ��tv «KhPI»), a member of the IEEE Region 8 Young Professionals Committee and head of the educational, professional and humanitarian activities division at the IEEE Ukraine Section, shared her experience of securing IEEE grants and awards. She also spoke about the opportunities offered by the organisation’s Ukrainian section to young scientists, particularly for the implementation of professional and research initiatives. Andrii Terekhov, Deputy Director for Science at the B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, devoted his presentation to the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between scientific institutions and higher education establishments, and outlined opportunities for involving students in research activities.

The meeting concluded with an informal get-together over coffee and tea. The participants shared their impressions, discussed the speakers’ presentations and established new professional contacts.

Note:

The IEEE Young Professionals Meetup is a gathering of young professionals from the international organisation IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), which brings together specialists in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, information technology and related disciplines. IEEE Young Professionals is a community that supports the professional development of young specialists and the cultivation of their leadership skills.

is an international ranking system, whose global database comprises over 2.700 leading higher education institutions from more than 110 countries worldwide, including 49 Ukrainian higher education institutions. However, in 2026 specifically, only 1.313 of the world’s best universities and 12 Ukrainian institutions were included in the final subject-specific tables following the selection process and were assessed. The ranking analyses their performance across 20 indicators, grouped into four key dimensions of institutional performance: teaching quality, research performance, international diversity and financial sustainability. This approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of universities’ performance and an objective comparison of their results on a global scale.

ɫ��tv «KhPI»’s rankings in broad subject areas

According to the results of the RUR Subject Rankings 2026, ɫ��tv «KhPI» featured in five broad subject areas. The university’s global ranking and its position amongst 12 Ukrainian higher education institutions are shown below:

• Life Sciences – 676^th in the global ranking and 2^nd in the country.
• Technical Sciences – 716^th and 2^nd respectively.
• Social Sciences – 627^th and 3^rd.
• Natural Sciences – 725^th and 3^rd.
• Humanities – 722^nd and 4^th amongst Ukrainian higher education institutions.

It is worth noting the university’s results for specific assessment indicators separately. For instance, in the Teaching Ranking within the «Natural Sciences» category, ɫ��tv «KhPI» was ranked 466^th in the world, placing it among the TOP 500.

Results by individual disciplines

A more detailed picture of the university’s achievements is provided by the rankings for specific subjects, into which these broad fields are subdivided. In three such disciplines, ɫ��tv «KhPI» took the TOP positions amongst Ukrainian universities:

• Energy – 717^th in the world rankings.
• Engineering – 773^rd.
• Environmental Science – 810^th in the world.

ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» also ranked second amongst Ukrainian higher education institutions in three disciplines:

• Multidisciplinary – 656^th in the world ranking.
• Computer Science – 862^nd.
• Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics – 933^rd in the world.

In a further ten disciplines, ɫ��tv «KhPI» confidently holds third place amongst Ukrainian universities.

The ranking results also demonstrate the university’s broad representation in other fields of knowledge.

Note:

is an international university ranking system, whose global database covers over 2.700 higher education institutions from more than 110 countries worldwide. The ranking assesses universities’ performance across 20 indicators, grouped into four categories: teaching, research, international diversity and financial sustainability. It enables the comparison of universities’ performance across broad subject areas and individual disciplines, determining their standing at an international level. The ranking results can be used by students, researchers, heads of higher education institutions and other stakeholders to analyse and compare universities.

The second candidate for the post of rector – Oleksiy Larin, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine – received 557 votes, representing 35.91 per cent. A further 28 voters (1.81 percent) did not support any candidate. The Electoral Commission declared 9 ballot papers invalid.

Results of the second round of the election for Rector of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» (ɫ��tv «KhPI»):

• Ruslan Mygushchenko – 957 votes (61.70 percent);
• Oleksiy Larin – 557 votes (35.91 percent);
• did not support any candidate – 28 votes (1.81 percent).

In his , Ruslan Mygushchenko emphasised that the university faces the task of working together, in which constructive ideas are important regardless of who proposes them. He also stressed that victory in the election signifies not only a vote of confidence, but also a responsibility towards the people, traditions and future of the university.

We congratulate Ruslan Mygushchenko on his election as Rector of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute»! We wish him every success in implementing his plans, making effective decisions, fostering fruitful collaboration with the university community, and achieving new milestones for the university in education, science and innovation. May our joint efforts contribute to the further development of ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» and the strengthening of its position both in Ukraine and beyond.

The document was signed by Galyna Tymchenko, Acting Rector of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» (ɫ��tv «KhPI»), and Andriy Nasinnyk, Director of the «» Charitable Foundation. Also participating in the meeting were Professor Andrii Kipenskyi, Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Social and Humanitarian Technologies; Associate Professor Nadiia Babkova, Head of the Department of Intelligent Computer Systems; university faculty members; and foundation specialists. This partnership will combine ɫ��tv «KhPI’s» 30 years of experience in training specialists in the social sciences and humanities with Caritas Kharkiv’s expertise in providing humanitarian aid to people facing difficult life circumstances. Such cooperation is particularly relevant amid a full-scale war.

In the fields of education and professional training, the plan includes organising training courses, seminars, conferences and workshops, as well as developing career guidance, non-formal education and adult learning. Students at the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute will be able to undertake academic, industrial, professional and translation placements at the foundation, as well as take part in voluntary, research and project-based initiatives. This will enable them to gain practical experience in the social sector. Language and cultural-educational activities for children and young people, as well as the translation and preparation of multilingual materials, are also planned. Another area of focus is researching community needs and improving support programmes. Plans include monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of existing social and humanitarian programmes, developing new initiatives, and advancing models of social work and case management. A key priority is improving mechanisms for collaboration between charitable organisations, local authorities and communities. Particular attention will be paid to psychosocial support, the prevention of professional and emotional burnout, and the organisation of recreational, physical education and health-promoting activities. For the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute, this presents an opportunity to develop applied research, whilst for «Caritas Kharkiv», it offers the chance to put these findings into practice.

On behalf of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute», the partnership will be coordinated by the at the . Other university departments, lecturers, researchers and students from various disciplines will be involved in the implementation of individual projects.

Note:

is a charitable organisation that has been operating since September 2014 and is part of the international «Caritas» network. Its work is aimed at supporting people facing difficult life circumstances in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region, in particular internally displaced persons and those affected by the war. The organisation provides humanitarian, social, psychological and legal assistance, supports children and families, helps with the restoration of damaged homes and organises care for the elderly and people with disabilities. In its work, Caritas Kharkiv is guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality and respect for human dignity.

at the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» is one of the university’s educational and research units, which trains specialists in the fields of education, philology, psychology, sociology, public administration, social work, and physical education and sport. The institute comprises eight departments that carry out educational and research activities. The institute’s research work encompasses the study of current social and humanities issues, the development of educational technologies, the analysis of social processes and the search for practical solutions to society’s needs. The history of social and humanities education at ɫ��tv «KhPI» dates back to 1996.

Ukraine has significant brown coal reserves. Balance reserves are estimated at approximately 2.9 billion metric tons. Major deposits are located in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Kharkiv regions, and deposits are also known in other regions. However, large reserves do not mean it is necessary to return to large-scale coal mining and combustion. On the contrary, the modern approach involves first determining exactly what a particular raw material contains and how to use it to maximize benefits while minimizing environmental impact. For the energy sector, brown coal has obvious disadvantages. It contains high moisture content, has a relatively low calorific value, and may contain significant amounts of mineral impurities and sulfur. Moreover, transporting such raw material over long distances is often economically unfeasible. However, what is a disadvantage for the power sector may prove to be an advantage for chemical processing. Lignite contains a significant amount of functional groups and humic substances—complex natural organic compounds that can be extracted, modified, and used to create new materials.

According to research findings, the potential yield of humic acids in some Ukrainian samples ranges from about one-third to nearly half the mass of the analytical sample. In other words, what energy experts might call low-grade fuel, chemists view differently—as a concentrate of natural organic components from which products with higher added value can be derived. It is precisely this shift in perspective on raw materials that forms the basis of research conducted by scientists at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Chemical Technologies and Engineering at the National Technical University «KhPI»: Professor Volodymyr Lebedev of the ; Professor Denys Myroshnychenko, Head of the ; and Professor Serhii Pyshiev of Lviv Polytechnic National University. According to the experts, the main idea is to process raw materials as thoroughly as possible. In other words, instead of the «extract—burn—generate heat» model, the scientists propose a different approach: «analyze—separate—process—obtain several useful products.» Instead of converting the entire resource into heat and emissions, the scientists propose first separating it into its components and making the most of each one.

��From Coal to Clean Water

One of the most promising areas of research is the development of sorbents for removing heavy metals from water. The mechanism is simple: humic substances have active sites capable of binding metal ions. After special processing, lignite is transformed into a material that acts as a kind of «molecular trap.» In laboratory experiments, the sorbents absorbed up to 58 mg of copper, 49 mg of lead, and 42 mg of cadmium per gram of material. Under the conditions studied, this was 25–30% more than the traditional materials used for comparison. Composites of humic acids with iron nanoparticles demonstrated even higher performance. Under laboratory conditions, they achieved up to 97.5% removal of heavy metals in approximately 30 minutes. For now, these are the results of laboratory studies; therefore, before the technology can be put into practical use, further testing on actual wastewater streams is needed, along with verification of the sorbent’s regenerability and an assessment of the safety of the spent material. However, the idea itself is particularly relevant for Ukraine, where water treatment and the remediation of industrial sites are critical challenges.

Not Just Water: Humic Substances Can Also Work with Soil

Another area of research involves the use of humic substances and humates derived from lignite in soils. These compounds can influence the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients, maintain its structure, and promote plant growth. Interestingly, scientists are exploring the possibility of combining humates with products derived from agricultural waste. This would allow a single technological system to utilize two often-underestimated resources at once: lignite and plant biomass. Potentially, such materials could be useful for restoring depleted or damaged land. At the same time, scientists emphasize that humic preparations cannot replace soil analysis, the removal of hazardous contaminants, or proper agricultural practices.

What if we added «coal» to the road?

Another unexpected application is road construction. Humic acids have been studied as an additive to bitumen. According to the results of experiments, adding approximately 2% humic acids at a temperature of about 120 °C can increase the heat resistance of bitumen and slow down its aging. We know that the longer a road surface lasts, the less often it needs to be repaired. And that means lower consumption of bitumen, aggregate, fuel, and energy. There is another interesting example. Resin is formed during certain lignite processing steps. Instead of treating it merely as waste, scientists propose using it as a component for modifying bitumen. A byproduct of one process becomes a raw material for another—this is precisely the principle underlying the circular economy.

From brown coal to biodegradable materials

Perhaps the most unexpected area of research is polymeric materials. Scientists are testing humic substances in compositions with gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose derivatives, and polylactide. In practice, such materials can take the form of films, bags, containers, hydrogels, and other products. Research is exploring the possibility of creating materials that would combine the necessary performance properties with a potentially shorter lifespan in the environment after use. However, it is especially important not to get ahead of science here: the label «biodegradable» in and of itself guarantees nothing. It is necessary to demonstrate under what conditions, over what period of time, and into what safe components the material decomposes. Rubber-polymer hydrogels for medical use are being studied separately. Additional testing is required for their practical application, particularly regarding strength, stability, biocompatibility, and safety.

Can this be called «green» technology?

This raises a fundamental question: how can a fossil fuel have a «green» future? The scientists’ answer is not simply to make coal mining «green» in name only. The idea is different—to change how the resource is used. If brown coal is simply burned, its organic component is converted mainly into heat and emissions. However, if its components are extracted and used to produce sorbents, materials, or chemical products, greater added value can be derived from the same raw material. However, a technology can only be definitively called «green» after assessing its entire life cycle: from extraction and transportation to the use of energy and reagents, waste generation, and the disposal of the finished product. That is precisely why it may be promising to utilize already disturbed areas, spoil heaps, or raw materials that are economically impractical to transport over long distances.

Why is this particularly important for Ukraine?

For Ukraine, this concept has another dimension. After the war, the country will need technologies for water purification, land reclamation, road repair and construction, waste processing, and the development of its own materials production. In this context, lignite can be viewed not as a return to the «coal age,» but as one of the potential sources of chemical raw materials for local industries. Moreover, transporting wet lignite over long distances is economically unfeasible. Instead, it can be processed closer to the deposit, and the concentrated products – which have greater added value—can then be transported. As a result, a single raw material could potentially form the basis for an entire product line—ranging from sorbents for water treatment to construction materials and polymer composites. And this is precisely the main idea behind the Ukrainian researchers’ work: not simply to find a new use for brown coal, but to learn how to utilize it to the fullest extent possible. Not «extract and burn,» but «research, separate, transform, and utilize.»

Note:

Monograph: Pyshiev, S. V., Miroshnychenko, D. V., and Lebedev, V. V. *Valorizatsiia of Brown Coal Use in «Green» Non-Fuel and Fuel Technologies». Lviv: SPOLOM, 2025. 340 pp.

Monograph in the

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has published the preliminary results of the ranking by the National System of Researchers of Ukraine (NSR). Based on an analysis of open data, 52 researchers from the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» have been granted candidate status for a state scholarship, 25 of whom are young scientists. In total, 275 representatives of ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» submitted their data to the National System of Researchers, including 65 young scientists. Thus, according to the preliminary results, nearly one in five participants in the ranking from the Polytechnic is eligible for a state scholarship. The largest number of Polytechnic representatives who received scholarship candidate status are in the following research fields: «Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, and Machine Building» —12 people; «Information Technology and Electronics» —11; «Chemistry, Chemical Technologies, and Pharmacy» — 6, «Safe, Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency» — 6, and «National Security and Defense» — 5. Three more researchers represent the field of «Earth and Environmental Sciences,» and two each represent «Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Astronomy,» «Industrial and Construction Technologies, Logistics, and Transportation,» and «Humanities and Arts.» Scientists from ɫ��tv «KhPI» are represented in nearly all scientific sections of the National System of Researchers of Ukraine—the only exception being the «Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences» section. A particularly significant achievement is that in the sections «Chemistry, Chemical Technologies, and Pharmacy,» «Safe, Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency,» «National Security and Defense,» «Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, and Machine Building,» and «Industrial and Construction Technologies, Logistics, and Transportation,» researchers from ɫ��tv «KhPI» ranked among the top ten in the main and/or young researchers’ rankings.�� In total, the preliminary rankings of the National System of Researchers of Ukraine feature 13.025 researchers, of whom 2.467 have the status of young scientists and 327 have the status of war veterans. Based on the results of the preliminary ranking, 2.650 researchers and research-teaching staff were identified as candidates for state scholarships, of who 1.325 are young scientists.

ɫ��tv «KhPI» has the highest number of applicants for state scholarships among the analyzed higher education institutions in Kharkiv — 52 people. By comparison, at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, this figure is 39; at O.M. Beketov Kharkiv National University of Municipal Economy, it is 22; and at the National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» and Kharkiv National Medical University, it is 13 each. The published results are preliminary. Certain details regarding the applicants are currently being verified. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine will determine the final list of individuals to receive state scholarships after the verification process and other required procedures are completed. Based on the rankings of the National System of Researchers of Ukraine, the state scholarship will amount to 12.000 hryvnias per month for two years. More than 190 million hryvnias have been allocated for scholarship payments in 2026.

��

Note

provides for the creation of an overall ranking and a separate ranking of young researchers by scientific field. The ranking takes into account the results of researchers’ scientific and scientific-technical activities, including publications and citations, participation in grants, patents, international collaboration, training of young researchers, and other achievements. In the NSR’s open, interactive dashboard, you can search for a researcher by full name, view their position in the relevant ranking, the number of points earned, their percentage relative to the leader in that field, and their status regarding eligibility for a state scholarship. The system also allows you to filter information by institution, region, field of research, and other parameters.

According to Oleksiy Larin, one of the most notable areas of current research at ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» is the integration of engineering and medicine. These are comprehensive projects that combine IT, electronics, mechanics, computer modeling, and medical technologies. «These are interesting and very ambitious projects that really resonate with our European partners, who are also interested in this field. It’s the intersection of IT, electronics, mechanics, computer simulations, and medical applications,» the researcher noted. Among these research areas are technologies aimed at analyzing the condition of damaged tissues around a wound and predicting the development of necrosis, as well as computer modeling of processes related to the treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Prosthetics is a separate area of focus. Researchers are studying the mechanics and strength of prostheses, the kinematics of movement in people with prostheses, and, with the help of electronic systems, analyzing gait patterns. Such technologies can serve as a supportive tool for doctors and rehabilitation specialists, helping them assess patients’ mobility and the effectiveness of their recovery. «We have a wide range of research areas. From treating patients, analyzing damaged tissue around wounds, modeling these processes, predicting the development of necrosis, prosthetics procedures, prosthetic mechanics, the strength of prostheses, the kinematics of movement in people with prostheses, to studying gait patterns using electronic systems to help patients,» said Oleksiy Larin, Vice Rector of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» (ɫ��tv «KhPI»).

Another promising area is cardiovascular monitoring. Projects are being developed that enable real-time transmission of information about a patient’s condition to doctors. The idea is that this data can be used by medical professionals as an additional tool for monitoring and decision-making. In addition, ɫ��tv «KhPI» is working on solutions at the intersection of IT and psychology, particularly involving the use of artificial intelligence. This involves the creation of AI bots and intelligent agents that can assist in relevant fields. The university is paying particular attention to research related to the rehabilitation of veterans and people with severe injuries. According to Oleksiy Larin, among the new projects submitted by ɫ��tv «KhPI» for state funding, four directly address this topic. «We are currently taking this very seriously. And among them are four projects specifically related to working with veterans and those with injuries. These are applied research projects that we would like to carry out so that engineering science becomes useful to people, useful to medicine, helps veterans, shortens rehabilitation time, and speeds up their reintegration into society,» the scientist emphasized.

«We believe that technology should save lives, so we are working to ensure that engineering science benefits medicine and helps reduce the time needed for rehabilitation and reintegration into society,» said Oleksiy Larin, vice rector of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. Some of the recent developments have already been successfully presented both in Ukraine and at international conferences abroad. In particular, at an international forum held in Kharkiv, researchers from ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute», in collaboration with specialists from the M.I. Sitenko Institute, created and demonstrated high-tech models of lower-limb prostheses and technologies for modeling the processes occurring in the «bone–implant» system. In addition, the University Clinic of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» provides free rehabilitation services to military personnel.

Overall, as Vice Rector Oleksiy Larin noted, this year ɫ��tv�� «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» submitted 77 research projects for funding, totaling 110 million hryvnia. The results of the competitive selection process are expected to be announced in late November. The development of such research demonstrates how modern engineering science can directly address human needs—from the creation of new prosthetics and rehabilitation technologies to the use of artificial intelligence and digital monitoring of patients’ conditions.

Learn more about ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute’s latest scientific developments, artificial intelligence, and other university research in

Nuclear education and science in Ukraine are currently developing in close collaboration with European partners. One such area of international cooperation is the supported by the European Union under the , which complements The project aims to strengthen Ukraine’s nuclear capabilities, develop modern education and research, train specialists, and establish sustainable cooperation between Ukrainian and European scientific and educational institutions. The National Scientific Center «Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology» of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which serves as the Euratom National Contact Point in Ukraine, acts as the NURECAB coordinator in Ukraine.

An important milestone in this work was the final NURECAB–NFW2026 seminar, «Strengthening Ukraine’s Nuclear Competencies Through European Cooperation,» during which the results of the two-year implementation phase of the NURECAB project (2023–2025) were summarized. The event took place in Kyiv in a hybrid format and brought together 76 scientists, faculty members, experts, and representatives of government agencies. The National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» was represented by Oleksiy Larin, Acting Vice Rector for Research, and Leonid Konotopsky, Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Physics. Seminar participants discussed the results of their joint work and future directions for the development of the nuclear industry. Key topics included opportunities for Ukrainian scientists to participate in the «Horizon Europe» and Euratom programs, the development of nuclear competencies, and the further integration of the Ukrainian scientific and educational community into the European Research Area.

For ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute», participation in NURECAB became an important part of its international activities and provided an opportunity to expand professional connections in the field of nuclear and thermonuclear energy. As part of the project, researchers and faculty members from ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» participated in international educational and research events, exchanged experiences with European colleagues, and developed professional contacts. In particular, university representatives took part in the ITER International School, dedicated to current issues in fusion research, and also contributed to the development of cooperation with the Slovak University of Technology. The experience gained and the contacts established lay the groundwork for further collaboration with European partners. «We are interested not only in continuing our existing cooperation but also in joining new joint educational and research projects. Together with our European partners, we aim to advance research in the field of nuclear and thermonuclear energy, as well as create more opportunities for our researchers and faculty members,» noted Oleksiy Larin.

This collaboration will continue under , which opens up new opportunities for Ukrainian researchers and organizations.

Довідка:

) is an international project supported by the European Union under the Euratom Research and Training Program, which ran from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026, and was aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s nuclear capabilities, developing nuclear education and science, training specialists, supporting young scientists, promoting academic mobility, and expanding cooperation between Ukrainian and European universities and research institutions. Within the framework of NURECAB, educational, scientific, and mobility activities were carried out, aimed at integrating the Ukrainian nuclear scientific and educational community into the European Research Area and more actively involving Ukrainian specialists in European programs. The final seminar of the NURECAB project—NFW2026, «Strengthening Ukraine’s Nuclear Competencies through European Cooperation» – took place on August 20, 2026, in Kyiv.

The Earth’s atmosphere consists not only of neutral atoms and molecules. Solar radiation ionizes some of them, creating free electrons and ions that form the ionosphere—a medium of charged particles surrounding the Earth. Importantly, the ionosphere has a significant effect on the propagation of radio waves. «Within a certain range of radio frequencies (so-called short waves), the ionosphere can act as a mirror, reflecting radio waves directed at it,» notes Dmytro Kotov, director of the . «This makes it possible to establish radio communication with any point on the globe without satellites. Furthermore, this reflection from the ionosphere makes so-called over-the-horizon radar possible—this is when you can literally look beyond the horizon and see aircraft or ballistic missiles at distances of up to 3,000 km. The range of conventional radar systems is ten times shorter, as it is limited by the curvature of the Earth. Incidentally, the Canadian government has just signed a contract to purchase the JORN over-the-horizon radar system to monitor russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic. A total of six and a half billion U.S. dollars has been allocated for this project. It is important to remember that for such unique systems to operate reliably, accurate forecasts of the state of the ionospheric mirror and its disturbances are essential.»

The ionosphere no longer reflects even shorter radio waves (such as those used by navigation systems like GPS)—they pass right through it. However, the ionosphere still affects radio waves in this case as well, and its effect is negative: the ionosphere alters the phase of radio signals. And if the actual state of the ionosphere differs from forecasts, the coordinates of objects can be estimated with significant errors. «Here’s a recent example from civilian life,» says Dmitry Kotov. «In May 2024, a powerful solar storm triggered a severe storm in the ionosphere. The number of charged particles fluctuated significantly during the storm. As a result, errors in determining the coordinates of objects across the United States reached 70 meters. At that time, the planting season was underway, and modern agricultural equipment plants crops «to the line» using GPS. It’s easy to see that the misalignment of rows while planting farm fields reached those same 70 meters, and the misalignment fluctuated throughout the storm. Much of the crop had to be replanted, and precious time was lost. According to confirmed data, due to the lack of a reliable forecast for this ionospheric storm, losses incurred by American farmers amounted to approximately $500 million.»

Such examples demonstrate that forecasting ionospheric storms is no less important for humanity than forecasting hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. That is why experts from around the world have been working on ionospheric storm forecasts for many decades. However, the accuracy of these forecasts remains low. The reason is that a complete scientific understanding of how ionospheric storms develop has not yet been established. This is particularly true for so-called prolonged positive ionospheric storms – a phenomenon that leads to an increase in the number of charged particles over certain regions of the globe for many hours or even days. New findings, recently obtained by researchers at the Institute of the Ionosphere at ɫ��tv «KhPI» in collaboration with colleagues from the U.S., Poland, and Spain, have changed scientists’ understanding of this least-studied phenomenon. «We have proven that Gerd Pröls’s classical theory of positive ionospheric storms does not always hold true,» explains Dmytro Kotov. «According to his theory, a necessary condition for an increase in the number of charged particles during a storm is the upward movement of the ionosphere: the greater the altitude, the longer the charged particles survive, and thus, over time, their number increases. But we have demonstrated that the number of charged particles can increase even when the ionosphere is moving downward, where the lifetime of charged particles decreases sharply.»

The results of a study conducted by a team from the Institute of the Ionosphere—comprising Director Dmytro Kotov and researchers Maryna Reznichenko, Oleksandr Bohomaz, and Ihor Domnin – in collaboration with international partners have been published in the prestigious international journal «Space Weather» (), which is known for its strict requirements regarding the novelty and practical impact of scientific findings. It is worth noting that the team from the Institute of the Ionosphere at ɫ��tv «KhPI» is the first in Ukraine to lead a publication in this journal, which has been in circulation for 23 years.

«We are proud that our results will help create more accurate forecasts of ionospheric storms,» says Dmytro Kotov. «It was also incredibly interesting to work with the reviewers at «Space Weather». Just like us, they were accustomed to the classical theory of ionospheric storms. It was a real creative challenge for us to prove that a phenomenon once considered impossible actually exists.»

Note:

is a leading scientific institution in Ukraine that conducts fundamental and applied research on near-Earth space and space weather using ground-based and satellite-based methods, as well as mathematical modeling. Research is conducted in close collaboration with scientific centers in the U.S., the EU, and Japan. The Institute is a member of the European Space Agency’s SAWA research mission ( and takes part in Antarctic expeditions ( The Institute’s Ionosphere Observatory, located near the town of Zmiyiv, is a scientific facility that constitutes a national treasure of Ukraine. In 2026, the Ionospheric Observatory became part of Eric Lucito’s international photographic research project, the results of which were published in outlets such as The Guardian and New Scientist. The Institute’s research findings are regularly published in leading international scientific journals, including Geophysical Research Letters (in the top 0.5% of Scopus journals), «Acta Astronautica» (ɫ��tv «KhPI» – a participant in the European space mission SAWA for studying space weather – National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute»), and others. Thanks to these publications, in 2025, ɫ��tv «KhPI» ranked first among Ukrainian universities in the most prestigious international Nature Index ranking in the «Earth and Environmental Sciences» category.

an international peer-reviewed journal of the American Geophysical Union, founded in 2003. The journal publishes new scientific findings that help improve our understanding of space weather phenomena, refine their forecasting, and mitigate risks to satellite navigation, communications, energy, and other technologies.

The article was published at: Co-authors include researchers from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University (U.S.), the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland), the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain), as well as the National Antarctic Scientific Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Radio Astronomy Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Among the «Honorary Citizens of Kharkiv» are military personnel and Heroes of Ukraine, scientists and educators, government officials and heads of institutions, as well as specialists in the fields of social welfare, entrepreneurship, energy, and culture. This year’s honorees are individuals whose courage, professionalism, and dedication contribute to the defense and development of Kharkiv, the strengthening of its reputation, and the shaping of the city’s future.

A significant contribution to the development of Kharkiv and its educational and scientific potential was also made by Professor Yevgen Sokol—a corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a recipient of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology, Chair of the Academic Council of the National Technical University “KhPI,” who served as rector of Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute from 2015 to 2026. More than half a century of his professional life has been connected with the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. During this time, he has established himself as a talented scientist, educator, and administrator, earning the respect of colleagues, students, alumni, and the university’s partners in Ukraine and abroad. Yevgen Sokol’s many years of service have become an integral part of the modern history of ɫ��tv «KhPI». With his involvement, the university has strengthened its position as a leading technical and research institution in Ukraine, expanded international cooperation, and established itself among the best Ukrainian institutions of higher education. Today, Yevgen Sokol, now serving as Chair of the Academic Council and Advisor to the Rector of ɫ��tv «KhPI,» continues to work for the benefit of the university and his native Kharkiv, passing on his experience to the next generation of polytechnic students. The conferral of the title «Honorary Citizen of the City of Kharkiv» was a recognition of his many years of service and his significant contribution to the development of the city, as well as to Ukrainian science and education.

A video of the award ceremony on Kharkiv City Day is available

Dear Yevgen Ivanovych!

The thousands of faculty and staff at ɫ��tv «KhPI» sincerely congratulate you on being awarded the title of «Honorary Citizen of the City of Kharkiv»!

This high honor is a testament to your dedication to Kharkiv, your alma mater, and the advancement of Ukrainian science and education. Your knowledge, experience, wisdom, integrity, and foresight have become an integral part of ɫ��tv «KhPI’s» history and have contributed to its establishment as one of Ukraine’s leading technical universities. For Kharkiv, you are a person who, through your many years of work, has helped strengthen the city’s status as a powerful center of education, science, and innovation. Your professional achievements, organizational talent, and personal qualities have earned you the sincere respect of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute community and the university’s partners. Today, as you continue your work as an advisor to the rector of the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute,» you remain an active participant in university life and pass on your experience and knowledge to a new generation of specialists.

We sincerely thank you for your many years of fruitful work and your dedication to your hometown and the university. We wish you good health, boundless energy, inspiration, and new professional and personal achievements! May this honorary title serve as a symbol of the gratitude of the people of Kharkiv for your contribution to the city’s development and your service to its future.

Note:

Yevgen Ivanovych Sokol was born in 1952 in the village of Kochetok, Chuguyiv District, Kharkiv Oblast. In 1969, he graduated from high school with a gold medal and enrolled in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. There, he received his bachelor’s degree, began working as an assistant professor, defended his master’s (1979) and doctoral (1994) dissertations, became a professor, headed the Correspondence Division (1988–1994) and the Department of Industrial and Biomedical Electronics (since 1986), and served as Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the National Technical University «KhPI» (2000–2015). In 2002, he was elected chair of the Council of Vice Rectors for Scientific and Pedagogical Work in the Kharkiv region and served on the expert council of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for the evaluation of dissertations. In 2012, he was elected a Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and in 2015 (and again in 2020), he was elected Rector of the National Technical University «KhPI.» In 2024, Yevgen Ivanovych Sokol was unanimously elected Chair of the Academic Council of the National Technical University «KhPI.» Sokol’s academic achievements include: the S. O. Lebedev Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2000) and the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology for his work «Creation of Reversible Hydropower Units at the Dniester Pumped-Storage Power Plant to Improve the Efficiency of Ukraine’s Integrated Power System» (2017). He is a member of the Energy Section of the Committee on State Prizes of Ukraine in Science and Technology and a member of the Plenum of this Committee. Professor Sokol serves on the editorial boards of numerous scientific journals. Under his supervision, 3 doctoral and 25 candidate dissertations have been defended. He is the author of over 300 scientific works, including 7 monographs, 5 textbooks and study guides, and more than 30 copyright certificates and patents. As rector of the National Technical University «KhPI» (since April 2015), Professor Sokol has been successfully implementing new approaches to its modernization and development as an innovative, research-oriented, technical university of a new type for over 10 years.

For many years in a row, Kharkiv Polytechnic has been included in and has held leading positions among Ukrainian higher education institutions in the rankings of the world’s best universities: the QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. The National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» was also ranked in the first international , which evaluates the best online education for students on a global scale. On the initiative of and solely thanks to the efforts of the rector, the Supervisory Board of ɫ��tv «KhPI» was established; together with its chairman, Vasyl Khmelnytskyi, the rector led the implementation of the innovative educational program «Innovation Campus,» developed by a team of Ukrainian IT specialists from UNIT Factory in collaboration with Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. Under Rector Y. Sokol’s leadership, STEM education is successfully developing at ɫ��tv «KhPI» as a long-term strategy for recruiting students for technical majors. Since 2007, ɫ��tv «KhPI» has been a member of the European University Association (EUA), and in 2019, it became the sole representative of Ukrainian higher education institutions at the 14th European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF). Professor Yevgen Sokol personally studied cutting-edge trends in educational quality assurance at this forum in order to incorporate them into his work. In 2024, Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute, the only Ukrainian institution of higher education to do so, joined the «UNINOVIS Alliance,» an international consortium of leading European universities. This has opened up new opportunities for Kharkiv Polytechnic students to develop international cooperation, improve the quality of education, and increase access to cutting-edge scientific research.

With the support of the rector, the university has created the necessary conditions for research activities by students and faculty, for motivating students and young researchers at the university to engage in scientific and innovative work, for acquiring skills in commercializing ideas and developments, and for developing mechanisms for implementing innovative projects. A cooperation program between ɫ��tv «KhPI» and the Chernovetskyi Foundation—the international investment company Chernovetskyi Investment Group (CIG)—and the eō Business Incubators innovation business incubator, which is part of the USAID «Competitive Economy of Ukraine» program, has been successfully implemented. The university administration, led by Professor Yevgen Sokol, devotes constant attention to the development of scientific research. KhPI is one of Ukraine’s leading higher education institutions in terms of the number of projects awarded under the ERASMUS+ K1 International Academic Mobility Program. Together with its international partners, the university implements dual-degree programs.

In 2023, on the initiative of Yevgen Sokol, the «Starry Sky of KhPI» Alumni Association project was launched at ɫ��tv «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute». Its objectives include the construction and renovation of academic buildings and facilities damaged by russian bombings, the creation of modern laboratories, the purchase of equipment, and more. Yevgen Sokol leads most of the innovations at one of Ukraine’s oldest technical universities, which will celebrate its 141st anniversary in 2026. Under his leadership, Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute (ɫ��tv «KhPI») continues to develop within Ukraine’s higher education system, building on a blend of the best traditions and innovations.