In accordance with the new curriculum, third-year bachelor students participated in an introductory internship this year. They had the opportunity to visit research and manufacturing institutions in Kharkiv working within our field, gain firsthand insight into production processes, and interact directly with stakeholders of our educational program.
Together with leading faculty members, the students visited renowned and well-established enterprises such as the pilot plant of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Refractories named after Acad. A.S. Berezhnoi (UkrNDRI) and the Kharkiv Tile Plant (KhPZ). Despite the difficult conditions in frontline Kharkiv, both enterprises remain operational due to the high demand for the materials and products they manufacture.
During the visit to UkrNDRI, the students were accompanied by Professors Y.M. Pitak and V.V. Taranenkova, and the tour was conducted by the stakeholder of our educational program, Director of UkrNDRI, PhD in Technical Sciences, Valerii Vladilenovych Martynenko. He spoke with the students about refractory materials and products made at the pilot plant and the extreme conditions in which they are used.
UkrNDRI serves as a branch of our department, employing many of our alumni, most of whom already hold academic degrees. Our faculty members and researchers are actively published in the professional journal — the UkrNDRI Collection of Scientific Works — issued by the institute.
During the conversation, Valerii Vladilenovych emphasized the long-standing, close, and fruitful relationship between our department and UkrNDRI and invited students to consider employment at the institute.
The students also visited the Kharkiv Tile Plant, accompanied by Head of Department Prof. O.Yu. Fedorenko and Prof. O.M. Borysenko. The tour was led by our alumna, now Chief Technologist and stakeholder of our specialization — Yana Oleksandrivna Pokroieva. KhPZ is a modern, leading enterprise in its field, manufacturing a variety of ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware.
Several of our alumni also work at this plant — many students began their careers here. Ms. Yana not only gave a detailed explanation of the technological processes but also engaged in a discussion with the students, outlining the requirements for those seeking employment at the plant. Yana herself continues to develop professionally; in June of this year, she defended her dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in specialty 161 – Chemical Technologies and Engineering. Her thesis was devoted to the development of antibacterial glass-ceramic coatings for ceramic tiles.
It is worth noting that such meetings between students and employer-stakeholders during internships are highly valuable and mutually beneficial. They provide participants with important insights into employers’ needs, the competencies required of future specialists, and help identify areas necessary for the development, enhancement, and refinement of our educational programs.
