"The war has become a powerful stimulus for the development of Ukrainian science – including due to the needs of the Ukrainian defense sector, and this is absolutely natural. Currently, most sectors in Ukraine are focused on developments that can help Ukraine hold out on the battlefield and achieve a just victory for Ukraine," notes in his article for the website of the Ukrainian National Information Agency "Ukrinform" the director of Kyiv Academic University, academician of the NAS of Ukraine Oleksandr Kordyuk. "Within the state… there is an understanding that financial support is undoubtedly important for the development of science at a high level. However, it is not the only guarantee for this. Support and enhancing the prestige of science are also important, and there are many ways to achieve this. In particular, paying more attention to the needs of young people engaged in science."
According to Oleksandr Kordyuk, strengthening the development of Ukrainian science, and thus significantly increasing Ukraine's chances of victory in the war, can and should involve the active participation of students in scientific research already during their university studies. This very idea – education through research – is implemented and promoted by Kyiv Academic University: "...KAU is a pilot project of research-based learning. Our task is to demonstrate that science should be taught through research. Only when students are involved in real research, doing real work, do they learn. Science in general, and physics in particular, is not something that can be taught simply by telling – one must be involved by example. Accordingly, the development of KAU over these years has focused on developing the scientific component that can engage students. Essentially, Kyiv Academic University is a kind of entry point into the Academy of Sciences, into academic laboratories. Students learn well when they understand, when they are motivated, when they are interested. To be interested, there needs to be a relevant topic, active research is needed. Active research implies broad scientific collaboration. Therefore, we look for such laboratories."
What modern scientific directions are the research at Kyiv Academic University focused on? What are its advantages compared to other Ukrainian universities? What opportunities does this educational institution offer to students interested in a scientific career? How does the university operate during the war? Learn more about this and other topics from the full text of the article by NAS of Ukraine academician Oleksandr Kordyuk.