A delegation from Khmelnytskyi National University (KhNU), comprising Rector Serhii Matiukh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Transport, and Architecture Oleh Polishchuk, and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Machines and Apparatus, Electromechanical and Energy Systems Andrii Polishchuk, paid a working visit to the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland.
The visit aimed to promote and strengthen cooperation between Khmelnytskyi National University and AGH University of Science and Technology, marking an important step in developing academic and scientific ties between Ukraine and Poland. The visit created favourable conditions for exchanging experience, expanding contacts, and jointly developing scientific and educational projects.
The Khmelnytskyi National University delegation met with Professor Krzysztof Mędrok, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.
During the meeting, important issues related to bilateral cooperation were discussed. The main focus was on opportunities for joint scientific projects and the development of academic exchange programs for students and faculty.
Meeting participants paid particular attention to implementing innovative educational technologies, exchanging experience in using modern equipment, and integrating the latest achievements into industry.
Discussions also covered holding joint conferences and seminars, which will expand professional networks. This will contribute to strengthening the international reputation of both educational institutions and their involvement in the global academic community.
The Ukrainian delegation also met with Mr. Paweł Świrek, Director of the International Relations Centre at the academy. During the discussion, key issues of cooperation between the institutions were addressed, including opportunities for Ukrainian students to study under the Erasmus+ program, double degree programs, and the implementation of joint scientific and cultural projects.
The parties agreed on further expanding the partnership, which will contribute to improving the quality of education, scientific research, and professional development of both students and faculty.
A special emphasis during the visit was placed on developing close cooperation between the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at AGH University of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Engineering, Transport, and Architecture at Khmelnytskyi National University.
Rector Serhii Matiukh of Khmelnytskyi National University and Oleh Polishchuk, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Transport, and Architecture, met with Professor Jarosław Koneczny, Dean, and Professor Marcin Kot, Deputy Dean for Cooperation and Projects.
During the meeting, they discussed issues of internships for academic staff, regular academic exchanges, and engaging students and faculty in joint projects addressing pressing problems in the field of mechanical engineering and robotics. This will contribute to enhancing the quality of educational programs, attracting students for scientific research, and strengthening international academic ties.
Additionally, opportunities for expanding joint scientific research were discussed. Specifically, they talked about projects focused on innovations in mechanical engineering, transport, electrical power engineering, robotics, and automation of production processes, as well as the development of engineering education with the implementation of digital technologies that open new approaches to learning and training future specialists in the context of Industry 4.0.
The Khmelnytskyi National University delegation also met with Professor Łukasz Pieczonka and Professor Mariusz Giergiel, Head of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics.
During the meeting, they discussed prospects for cooperation in robotics and mechatronic systems, possibilities for joint scientific research, academic mobility for students and faculty, and the implementation of international projects. Particular attention was paid to integrating modern technologies into the educational process and exchanging experience on using innovative equipment for training specialists in these fields.
While at AGH University of Science and Technology, the Khmelnytskyi National University delegation participated in scientific and practical seminars and visited laboratories of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, familiarising themselves with the equipment used in the educational process and scientific research.
The Ukrainian delegation visited the AGH Space Technologies Centre, established in November 2020 and headed by Professor Tadeusz Uhl.
The centre focuses on developing space technologies, designing satellite systems, space missions, and supporting cooperation between the academic community and the space industry. It also coordinates the UNIVERSEH project on behalf of the university. It is equipped with modern infrastructure, including a ground communication station and laboratories for testing space components and materials.
Professor Tadeusz Uhl is known for his research in materials science, particularly the development of innovative materials at the molecular level. His work aims to create new materials with unique properties that can have wide applications in various fields of science and technology, including space.
It should be noted that in May 2013, Professor Tadeusz Uhl, along with Professors Mariusz Giergiel and Tomasz Buratowski from the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics, visited Khmelnytskyi National University and gave lectures to students of the Department of Machines and Apparatus, Electromechanical and Energy Systems.
The SatLab AGH scientific club, in cooperation with the AGH Space Technologies Centre, developed and launched the Polish minisatellite HYPE into orbit on January 14, 2025. It is equipped with a robotic arm with a miniature camera and a spectrometer that allows studying light pollution, volcanic ash, and forest degradation, contributing to monitoring ecological changes. The project is a unique development by students who participated in its creation, testing, and integration.
To support the mission, an antenna for tracking the satellite was installed on the roof of the Space Technologies Centre, serving as a foundation for the academy's future space projects.
The delegation also visited the Energy Centre, a leading research complex of the academy that has focused on developing energy technologies and industrial cooperation since 2014.
It covers a wide range of areas, including traditional and renewable energy, CCS and CCU technologies, e-mobility, smart energy grids, and industrial energy. Here, AGH students, under the guidance of leading practical scientists, maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement modern energy solutions in their professional activities.
The Ukrainian delegation visited the AGH Space Systems student scientific club. AGH Space Systems is a student design team founded in 2014 at the academy. Students are engaged in developing technologies for the space industry, including the creation of rockets and Martian robots.
The team actively participates in international competitions such as the European Rover Challenge, Spaceport America Cup, and University Rover Challenge, where they have won numerous awards. In 2024, AGH Space Systems became champions of the University Rover Challenge, taking first place among 36 teams worldwide.
During the Ukrainian delegation’s visit to the AGH Space Systems scientific club, students presented the AGH-ER1 Mars rover they had created. They demonstrated the device’s operation in real time, showing how it performs various tasks, from collecting samples to analysing the environment. In addition, students spoke about their other developments, including projects in the field of space technologies, and how their club operates. They informed that AGH Space Systems actively collaborates with students from various specialities – mechanics, electronics, programmers, electricians, and others – which allows for the creation of multidisciplinary projects and finding innovative solutions for complex tasks in the space industry.
A methodological seminar was held with the participation of the Ukrainian delegation and Professors Mariusz Giergiel and Tomasz Buratowski from the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics. During the seminar, important aspects of diploma project design were discussed, including the structure of qualification papers for various educational levels, as well as methods for checking works for plagiarism. In addition, the issue of making qualification papers freely accessible was raised, ensuring their availability to the scientific community. The seminar served as a platform for exchanging experiences between Ukrainian and Polish specialists in education and science.
The visit of the Khmelnytskyi National University delegation to AGH University of Science and Technology was an important step in developing cooperation between the educational institutions. Deepened mutual understanding between the universities will create a reliable basis for forming a long-term partnership focused on enhancing the quality of education, professional development of students and faculty, and strengthening scientific relations.
We sincerely thank Professors Mariusz Giergiel and Tomasz Buratowski for organising the Ukrainian delegation's visit to AGH University of Science and Technology, for their hospitality, professionalism, and efforts invested in organising meetings and seminars.