Lviv Polytechnic hosted an event that combined the depth of experience, the power of inspiration and youthful enthusiasm. More than 80 students and professors of various specialities - from international relations to energy - gathered to meet a man who knows how to talk about success without pathos, and about leadership through service. And this person is Taras Demkura.
Speaking Club ‘European Trends and Professional Growth’ has become a platform for a lively, open dialogue between students and a successful entrepreneur, public figure, and philanthropist.
The main guest at the event was Taras Demkura, a man with a remarkably varied career. He began his career as a school sports teacher. At the same time, in the turbulent 1990s, he became an entrepreneur, running small businesses in Poland and gradually building up a large company. Today he is the founder of the Atrium shopping centre in Ternopil, the vice-president of ICC Ukraine, the initiator of the ECO Lifestyle project, the coordinator of the Pinsel sculpture exhibition in the Louvre and the co-creator of the art album and film The Mystery of Pinsel. He is also a person who never tires of learning, growing, supporting and changing.
“For me, it is important to leave a mark not only in business, but also in people's hearts. And I am glad that here at Lviv Polytechnic I have met young people who want to grow - not only professionally, but also internally. I am already taking some of the students who volunteered for mentoring with me, and it will be an interesting journey together,” said Taras Demkura.
Taras Demkura promotes the development of green energy in Ukraine as part of his brand programme “Life in ECO Style”. In particular, he initiated the construction of a solar power plant on the banks of the Dnipro River. This project not only generates clean energy but also emphasises the importance of environmentally friendly technologies for the country's sustainable development.
In response to the growing need for fast, high-quality housing, especially after the events that caused many Ukrainians to lose their homes, Taras Demkura founded Budmall Center. This company specialises in the production and supply of modular, frame and sip-panel houses. Budmall Center has created a large-scale construction marketplace where ready-made houses and related products are available. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the company has been actively involved in helping those who lost their homes, offering quick and effective solutions to restore the housing stock. In addition, Taras Demkura initiated the charity project ‘Give a Home and Comfort to a Ukrainian Family’, in which he and his wife Iryna donated a modular house to a family from Irpin whose home was destroyed during the hostilities.
Taras Demkura is convinced that entrepreneurship is the key to Ukraine's economic growth. He emphasises the importance of active business development within the country, creating new jobs and implementing innovative projects. His activities are aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, sharing experience and attracting investment for the development of the national economy. Taras Demkura’s activities in the field of green energy, modular construction and entrepreneurship support make a significant contribution to the sustainable development and recovery of Ukraine.
Taras Demkura’s speech was not a typical lecture - it was a sincere, deep, and sometimes very personal conversation. He shared stories about his own victories and challenges, about the path to success, which was not always straightforward. He talked about the importance of not being afraid to change trajectories and invest in different areas – from network marketing to cultural heritage, from educational programmes to the environment. He paid particular attention to the topic of lifelong learning: his experience with MBAs, internships, and international projects has become a real motivator for students.
“Our goal is to provide students not only with theory but also with living examples of successful Ukrainians. To show that European trends are not somewhere else, but right here, in real stories. Mr Demkura is the perfect guest for this format. His life path is the embodiment of the ideas of sustainable development, social entrepreneurship and balance,” said Yaryna Turchyn, EUSTS project coordinator.
The meeting was followed by an active discussion: students asked about the areas that bring them the most satisfaction, about the path of formation, about combining business and volunteering, MBA education and change management. They received not only answers, but also life advice that is not shared in lectures. It was a live question and answer session. And it showed the main thing - students are really interested.
“When education meets personality, influence is born. We did not just organise the event with the EUSTS project partners. We created a space where transformation took place. I am happy that Mr Taras agreed to be a mentor at our Tutoring and Mentoring Centre, because his story is really worthy of every student's attention,” shared her impressions Nataliia Bokla, Director of the Tutoring and Mentoring Centre at Lviv Polytechnic, a PROMENT project participant.
This event was a real boost of motivation, faith in themselves and their dreams. The students left the meeting not only with new knowledge, but also with the feeling that everything is possible - they just have to start. Such meetings are more than just events. They are growth points.
“The meeting with Taras Demkura was an emotional reset point for many people. It left behind cynicism and fatigue, replacing them with the belief that success is about bold steps, harmony and humanity. The event left an unforgettable impression on all those present, inspiring students to new achievements and awareness of the importance of harmonious development in all aspects of life. This meeting was a vivid example of how experienced professionals can motivate young people to self-realisation and achievement of high goals,” summed up Olena Lukachuk, founder of the Innovation Hub student initiative, participant of the EUSTS and PROMENT projects.
It was a live lesson in entrepreneurship, life philosophy and humanity. It left not just an impression, but a motivation to act - today, right now. Perhaps not everyone present will become a powerful businessman, but everyone definitely left the event with the feeling that big changes begin with small but bold steps. And Lviv Polytechnic’s professors have once again confirmed that the future is born where students have access to examples of true leadership.
The interactive event was organised as part of the European Studies for Technical Specialities at Lviv Polytechnic National University (EUSTS) project, supported by the EU Erasmus+ Jean Monnet programme.
You can find out more about the EUSTS project at https://lpnu.ua/yests.
The meeting took place in the student space 'L.I.S.' (Learning Inspiring Space) - a modern place for learning, communication and development of youth and academic community, which was opened thanks to the support of Jacob Dalhoff, CEO of MatchOffice Ukraine, and Service Ukraine LLC.
We would like to thank the team of the Tutoring and Mentoring Centre, established within the framework of the project "Promoting Professional Education and Active Participation of Students through the Development of a Comprehensive Mentoring and Tutoring System in Higher Education Institutions" (PROMENT) with the support of the EU Erasmus+ Programme, Activity CA2, for their assistance in organising the event.
