Last week, a team from the Lviv Polytechnic National University paid a working visit to the Orest Vlokh Institute of Physical Optics, which is now part of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. The meeting marked an important milestone in the implementation of the international project LASER-PRO: Advanced Laser Technologies for Sustainable Prosperity of Europe, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme.
The LASER-PRO project brings together leading universities, research institutions, innovative companies, and clusters from Ukraine and European Union member states. Its goal is to build Ukraine’s laser technology ecosystem, strengthen the innovative potential of research institutions, and enhance the integration of Ukrainian researchers into the European research and innovation area.
Lviv Polytechnic: Partnership of Science, Innovation, and Management
The university delegation was led by Professor Anatolii Andrushchak, LASER-PRO Project Coordinator from Lviv Polytechnic. The team also included Professor Mar’yan Kyryk, Professor at the Department of Information and Communication Technologies; Professor Ivan Demydov, Professor at the same department and Head of the Office for Intellectual Property Protection and Technology Transfer; and Associate Professor Nazariy Andrushchak, Head of the Project Office at Lviv Polytechnic and representative of the Department of Computer-Aided Design Systems.
The delegation was welcomed by the staff of the Institute of Physical Optics, headed by Professor Rostyslav Vlokh, who continues the scientific legacy of the prominent Ukrainian scholar and academician Orest Vlokh, the founder of this leading center for optical and photonic research.
The Goal of the Meeting – Building a National Laser Ecosystem
During the meeting, the representatives of Lviv Polytechnic presented the concept of the LASER-PRO project, its main directions, management structure, and expected results. Special attention was paid to the creation of a national competence map in the field of laser technologies, covering both academic and industrial sectors.
“We aim not merely to compile a database or a list of organizations working in laser technologies. We are building an ecosystem where knowledge, innovation, and technology interact to drive the country’s development,” emphasized Professor Anatolii Andrushchak during the meeting.
According to him, the LASER-PRO project seeks to unite fragmented initiatives from research institutions and industrial companies, creating a cohesive collaborative space that will enable Ukrainian scientists to participate more actively in European programmes and allow businesses to implement advanced laser-based solutions in production.
The Institute of Physical Optics – A Strategic Partner in Photonics Development
For over half a century, the Orest Vlokh Institute of Physical Optics has been one of the most renowned research centers in Ukraine in the fields of optics, photonics, and materials science. Today, as part of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, the Institute maintains its unique status as a scientific hub and opens new opportunities for inter-university collaboration.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the possibilities of joint research in laser-optical materials, nanostructured media, spectroscopy, laser diagnostics, and applied photonics. The participants emphasized the importance of integrating fundamental research with applied developments that could find practical applications in industry, medicine, energy, and environmental monitoring.
“The Institute of Physical Optics is one of the scientific centers that define the face of modern Ukrainian science. It has a strong research school, valuable equipment, and dedicated scientists. We see great potential for partnership in international initiatives,” noted Professor Mar’yan Kyryk.
Survey for Building Ukraine’s Laser Ecosystem Map
One of the key instruments for achieving the objectives of the LASER-PRO project is a survey for organizations working in the field, developed by the Lviv Polytechnic team. The survey aims to collect data on scientific competences, research infrastructure, focus areas, innovative products, and the technological needs of participants in the laser technology market.
The results of the survey will form the basis for an analytical report and a National Roadmap for the Development of Laser Technologies in Ukraine, scheduled for presentation in 2026. For profile organizations, enterprises, and research institutions, participation in the survey is open via the link: https://forms.gle/okdG7Grn86jAtjei8
Nazariy Andrushchak emphasized that participation in this survey is crucial for everyone interested in advancing high technologies in Ukraine:
“Each response in this questionnaire is a building block in the foundation of our scientific independence. We must clearly understand who we are, what we can do, and where we are heading if we want to be part of the European innovation space.”
Exchange of Experience and Familiarization with the Laboratories
After the formal part of the meeting, the Lviv Polytechnic representatives were invited to a tour of the Institute’s laboratories. The guests had the opportunity to observe modern laser and spectroscopic equipment and learn about recent research results in nonlinear optics, nanostructured materials, and optical crystals.
The Institute’s researchers shared their achievements in developing new optical materials and nanocomposites with controllable anisotropic properties, which have promising applications in optoelectronics, photonics, sensing, and biomedical devices.
During the discussions, participants highlighted the importance of combining efforts in training young researchers, developing inter-university educational programmes, and organizing joint workshops and summer schools for students and PhD candidates.
The Visit as a Step Toward Creating an Innovation Ecosystem
The LASER-PRO project goes beyond scientific research. Its goal is to establish a sustainable innovation ecosystem where universities, businesses, and public institutions cooperate to implement advanced technologies. In this context, the visit to the Institute of Physical Optics represented a significant step toward building a regional ecosystem for photonics and laser technologies.
Professor Anatolii Andrushchak emphasized that this meeting had not only symbolic but also practical significance:
“We have begun the process of integrating Ukrainian scientific schools into the European research area. Cooperation with the Orest Vlokh Institute of Physical Optics, which is part of Ivan Franko University, is an example of how science becomes a unifying force. Together, we are creating an environment where innovation grows from trust, shared goals, and mutual support.”
Looking Ahead
The participants agreed to continue their cooperation within the LASER-PRO project framework, including joint research, preparation of European grant proposals, organization of scientific seminars, conferences, and training events. The outcomes of this collaboration are expected to make a significant contribution to shaping the National Strategy for the Development of Photonics and Laser Technologies in Ukraine.
The visit of the Lviv Polytechnic team to the Orest Vlokh Institute of Physical Optics became an example of an effective combination of scientific dialogue, strategic vision, and the pursuit of common goals. Such initiatives today define the future of Ukrainian science – open, competitive, and aligned with the European research landscape.
