Young engineers of Lviv Polytechnic – students at the Department of Transport Technologies and the Department of Aviation and Manufacturing Engineering, the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Transport (IMET), became the finalists of the prestigious engineering competition OL Science & Tech Fest 2025.
OL Science & Tech Fest is a large-scale all-Ukrainian event that brought together more than 100 engineering expositions and hundreds of young inventors, researchers, developers and startups. 19 teams from leading Ukrainian higher education institutions competed in the finals. Lviv Polytechnic National University was represented by the teams Chance for Success 404 and C.U.R.
The participants went through a real engineering challenge – from the concept to the creation of an effective prototype of an autonomous solution for detecting explosive objects. This was made possible thanks to the initiative of Yuliia Hermaniuk, the guarantor of the Bachelor’s degree programme Organisation of Transportation and Management in Railway Transport and the effective interdepartmental cooperation of the Department of Transport Technologies (Headed by Yurii Roiko) and the Department of Aviation and Manufacturing Engineering (Headed by Oleksii Lanets). The formation of a strong team was made possible thanks to the support of Roman Kachmar, IMET Director. The initiator of the students’ participation in the competition united the team, established cooperation between the Departments and helped students at each stage of preparation.
The students of the Department of Aviation and Manufacturing Engineering provided practical implementation of the ideas, as they have experience in assembling and programming drones, although they are only freshmen. Their contribution was essential to finalise the prototype. After the competition, the Head of the Department, Professor Oleksii Lanets, stressed that he would continue to support his students in similar initiatives and promote the development of practical projects.
Continued support of student initiatives is one of the distinctive features of the Department of Transport Technologies. Its Head traditionally supports engineering, practical and scientific events of students and academics. He personally came to the event to support the teams.
By the way, before participating in the final, the students completed a test task: to develop a marine drone to detect sunken ships based on real events related to the loss of the P190 Sloviansk patrol boat. This task required a combination of analytical thinking, engineering creativity and deep empathy.
The initiator, Yuliia Hermaniuk, is convinced that such initiatives shouldn’t remain rare – so, a new engineering event will soon take place, bringing together more students, ideas and technologies.
It was a challenge, an adventure and a common victory. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this result! We are looking forward to more engineering breakthroughs ahead.
