On August 27, Kyiv hosted Forbes University – a forum on human capital development which brought together over 300 participants from business, education, EdTech and the state. Leading experts took the stage, including the Rector of Lviv Polytechnic Nataliia Shakhovska, who shared the university’s experience in cooperation with business and the development of dual education.
During the discussion at Forbes University, Nataliia Shakhovska noted that Lviv Polytechnic chose a unique development model that combines education, science and business innovations, describing this approach as a prototyping platform.
– If we analyze the specifics of the development of leading foreign universities, in fact, such a prototyping platform is a fairly typical model of behavior for universities, especially technical universities. Lviv Polytechnic is developing in several directions. Our structure includes the Tech StartUp School, which is engaged in the development of student and faculty startups, and also supports the startup movement in communities. In addition, close cooperation has been established with communities throughout Western Ukraine, emphasized Rector of Lviv Polytechnic.
She also paid special attention to the development of the Science Park which has been operating at the university for the fifth year, emphasizing that the science park model has proven itself to be quite successful.
– The main vector of the science park development is micro-series production. For example, the production of hydrogel bandages, drones, including ground-based ones. These are also services for local businesses, in particular those related to laser cutting and 3D modeling. The second area of work is project activities. Today, our Science Park has four Horizon projects operating, which allow us to raise funds and at the same time, help teachers and businesses work together on the implementation of these projects. The third vector is cooperation with communities and their support, including community digitalization and IT projects.
During the operation of the science park, $500,000 has been raised for equipment alone. The park’s ownership structure: 67% belongs to Lviv Polytechnic, the rest – to three partner companies, and 1% to Tech StartUp School.