Students from our specialization (161.04 “Chemical Technologies of Refractory Non-Metallic and Silicate Materials”) achieved a well-deserved victory in the International Competition for Engineering Students ICAMES 2019 in Istanbul!
We congratulate our students Irina Tymoshenko and Pavlo Korekian, as well as their scientific supervisor, Associate Professor Victoria V. Taranenkova, who took 1st place in the International Competition for Engineering Students ICAMES 2019 (International Cultural and Academic Meeting of Engineering Students)! The competition, as always, took place at Bosphorus University (Istanbul, Turkey) under the auspices of the Engineering Society ENSO.
In 2018, the NTU “KhPI” team became the first Ukrainian team to participate in the ICAMES competition, which annually invites around 100 students from various countries. Last year, the team from the Institute of Chemical Technologies and Engineering at NTU “KhPI,” consisting of students from the Department of Ceramics, Refractories, Glass, and Enamels, Kateryna Chupryna and Oksana Radecka (group XТ-33мп(N)), under the guidance of Associate Professor Victoria Taranenkova, received an invitation and grant from the organizers to participate. Their work was dedicated to developing new types of environmentally efficient building materials based on dolomite binders for “Green Building.” During their project presentation, they also demonstrated samples of the materials they developed. As a result of the competition, our team, participating for the first time, took second place in the category of specific projects.
This year, ICAMES took place for the 24th time, and after careful consideration of applications, the only team from Ukraine that was invited and received a grant to participate was the team from the Department of Ceramic Technology, Refractories, Glass, and Enamels—Irina Tymoshenko (team captain) and Pavlo Korekian, along with their supervisor, Associate Professor Taranenkova V.V.
The trip was supported by the NTU “KhPI” Alumni Association. Special thanks go to the rector, Yevhen Ivanovych Sokol, Vice-Rector Andriy Petrovych Marchenko, and Head of the Scientific Department, Heorhiy Viktorovych Lisachuk, without whose personal involvement this trip would not have been possible.
A total of 13 teams (80 students from 12 universities) from 11 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America participated in the competition.
All presentations and reports were made in English. The projects were evaluated based on the following criteria: scientific and technical level, originality of the project, quality of the presentation, and demonstration.
Our team presented work dedicated to the development of a new type of functional materials—sacrificial binders for passive protection systems of nuclear power plants. The interesting and creative presentation prepared by our students generated great interest among the participants and organizers. The presentation analyzed the causes and consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, as well as proposed new materials that ensure the efficient operation of passive protection systems for third- and fourth-generation nuclear power plants, which will help prevent disasters similar to Chernobyl and Fukushima. Coincidentally, the project was presented on May 5th, and on May 6th, the premiere of the highly acclaimed American TV series “Chernobyl” began, further emphasizing the relevance and importance of the presented work.
Our work received high praise from the competition’s academic committee for its relevance, scientific contribution, and practical value. Due to the wide range of issues considered, as well as the variety of proposed solutions, the project won first prize and the “Multidimensional Award” (for its multidimensionality and diverse approaches).
ICAMES is a one-week event that includes the opening ceremony, project presentation days, various social activities such as a cultural evening and Turkish culture night, excursions, and the award ceremony.
This year, the opening ceremony took place in one of Istanbul’s most picturesque locations, a restaurant by the Bosphorus.
The presentations took place over two days at the Engineering Faculty of Bosphorus University. The university is the oldest in Turkey and probably one of the most beautiful, located on the Bosphorus with stunning views of the strait.
The cultural evening is one of the most interesting and fun events of the competition, where participants in an incredibly warm and friendly atmosphere present traditional costumes and national dishes, and share the customs and traditions of their countries. Last year, we introduced participants to the main Ukrainian delicacy—homemade bacon and our special black bread made from rye flour. This year, we presented various chicken and beef dishes, as well as our pepper vodka (which foreign participants called “spicy vodka”) and the best snacks for it—herring with pickled cucumbers, which was a huge success.
One of the days was dedicated to exploring the university campuses. Last year, we visited the new Bosphorus University campus in Kilyos, located on the Black Sea side of the Bosphorus. The campus is built according to ecological requirements and advanced “Green Technologies.” For example, the complex, which includes academic buildings, dormitories, a dining hall, a sports complex, and research laboratories, is fully energy-autonomous due to the use of renewable energy. We also visited a laboratory researching biofuels from seaweed and met with leading professors and research lab managers. This year, we spent campus day at the South Campus, interacting with participants and the organizing team, and ended the day with a rock concert.
Social activities of the competition include exciting excursions not only to historical sites in Istanbul but also to various museums. Last year, one such place was the Rahmi Koç Museum. In the museum, you can see, for example, the evolution of children’s carriages, the mechanics of various technical devices and instruments, the first steam engines, a unique collection of cars, and even a real submarine.
This year, we visited the Istanbul Aquarium, located on the shore of the Sea of Marmara. It’s an incredibly beautiful and captivating place where you lose track of time while observing the wonders of the underwater world.
And of course, there is always time to visit the Istanbul landmarks. For example, you can jostle in the crowded streets and then visit the Turkish Painting Museum, located in the Dolmabahce Palace, to see the largest and probably best collection of paintings by Ivan Aivazovsky. You can also sit by the Bosphorus, watching the ships pass through the palace gates, or take a boat ride on the Bosphorus from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, enjoying the magnificent views.
And of course, go on a gastronomic tour to try Turkish fast food.
By the way, getting to all the landmarks was very convenient, as the organizers traditionally place participants in hostels in the Taksim area. This area has metro, funicular, buses, and many budget cafes, shops with reasonable prices, nightclubs, and discos, so Taksim is always full of young people. Last year, the organizers accommodated participants at the Chambers of Bohemia hostel, a very unique and charming place, designed in the style of the early 19th century, while this year, we stayed at the newly opened “BUNK” hostel, with a trendy minimalist design. You can see what “BUNK” looks like inside in the show “Eagle and Tails. Reboot. Istanbul,” where the host Nastya Ivleeva stayed. By the way, just like Nastya, we arrived in Istanbul during the holy month of Ramadan, and at 2 a.m., we were woken up by drummers announcing that it was time to have breakfast before dawn, as orthodox Muslims observe a strict fast until sunset.
The competition concludes with a Turkish evening at a meyhane (traditional Turkish venue) completely in national style with typical local dishes. It’s an opportunity not only to get acquainted with the colorful local cuisine but also to thank the Turkish organizers for their warmth, hospitality, and incredible friendliness.
Huge thanks to our Turkish friends who supported our team and helped at every stage of the competition: Burak Ersoy (President of ENSO), Özge Akannay (Vice-President of ENSO), and our true guardians angels, İrem Ulutaş and Servet Koçak.
First photo: far left is Oleksandra Krkoleva (Team Leader from Macedonia), second left is İrem Ulutaş (ENSO Volunteer), second right is Servet Koçak (ENSO Member); Second photo: the victorious Ukrainian team with ENSO Vice President Özge Akannay
Dear friends, we invite all potential and current students to join our team. You have the chance to meet your peers from other countries, visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and become part of the global community of engineering students.
Join us to study! Dream and make your dream come true, engage in science, learn foreign languages. Then, like our students, such as Katya and Oksana—girls from the small town of Bakhmut—you’ll be able to go to Istanbul, a city of the soul.