From February 22 to March 29, 2025, one of the largest programming competitions in Ukraine took place — “University Cup in Programming 2025” (UCUP-2025).

Thanks to the efforts of the organizers from the Kharkiv IT Cluster, the Q-BIT Youth Science Society, and a number of Kharkiv universities, including NTU “KhPI”, the event brought together talented students, high school students, educators, and IT experts. They had the opportunity to test and showcase their knowledge and skills in algorithms and logical thinking, compete for top places in solving practical problems online, and attend insightful lectures, workshops, and case studies presented by IT professionals, scientists, business leaders, and representatives of leading international companies.

The event attracted more than 1,000 participants — university and college students, as well as high school students from Kharkiv and across Ukraine who are passionate about IT. A total of 37 higher education institutions were represented by their teams, and only 384 participants advanced to the final stage of the olympiad.

The programming olympiad is a key component of the “University Cup,” aimed at developing algorithmic thinking, solving complex problems, and working with large data sets. It is an intellectual competition that allows students to test their knowledge, improve their skills, and gain hands-on experience in solving algorithmic tasks. Participants solved several problems within a set time frame through the automated DOTS (Distributed Online Test System) and could choose from a wide range of programming languages: Python, C, C++, C#, Java, Pascal, Rust, and others.

A valuable bonus for participants was the simultaneous validation of their skills and professional level through the IT SKILLS STANDARD certification program.

On April 27, 2025, the UCUP-2025 award ceremony was held. During the event, the participants who demonstrated outstanding results in challenging programming and algorithmic tasks were recognized. The awards were given in the following categories:
Best University Students: Students who achieved high results in solving complex programming and algorithmic problems.
Best Educators: These participants not only teach but also actively support students’ development in competitions and foster a scientific environment for progress.
Best High School Students: Special attention was given to high school students who also performed at a high level, demonstrating significant potential for future growth.
Best by Specialty: These winners achieved the best results in their professional fields, ranking highly among participants from various disciplines.
Best College Students and Teams: The top-performing college students and teams were recognized for their excellent results and strong teamwork.

Among the participants and winners were our students. In particular, we would like to highlight the achievements of Daniil Kostenko (group IKM-724a) and Oleksandr Shalimov (group IKM-722a).

Thanks to UCUP-2025, hundreds of students had the opportunity to challenge themselves, gain certification, broaden their professional horizons, and take the first step toward a career in IT. The event once again proved that Kharkiv holds strong potential in the fields of technology and programming.