DESY delegation meets Ukrainian students and EURIZON fellows in Kyiv

Photo credit: the Parliament of Students at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

No: 1  LOW [13KB, 300x217]  HIGH [141KB, 1280x928]

No: 2  LOW [11KB, 300x225]  HIGH [135KB, 1280x960]

No: 3  LOW [14KB, 300x225]  HIGH [159KB, 1280x960]

The event, held in the university’s Scientific Library, was organized as part of the official visit of the DESY delegation to Kyiv during October 1-2, 2024. This visit was highlighted by the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Helmut Dosch, Chairman of the DESY Board of Directors, by the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The DESY delegation included also Christian Stegmann, Director of Astroparticle Physics at DESY; Sergii Fomin, a Ukrainian researcher who is currently guest scientist at DESY and affiliated at National Scientific Centre “Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology”, a consortium partner of EURIZON and the largest institute of the NASU; and Martin Sandhop, the EURIZON coordinator, from DESY International Relations.

The workshop gathered approximately 50 students from Ukraine's top academic institutions, including Taras Shevchenko National University, Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, and the National University Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Additionally, a small delegation of Ukrainian scientists, awarded the EURIZON Remote Research Grants and EMMRI fellowships, engaged in discussions on advancing scientific collaboration between Ukraine and European research institutions.

Structured as a platform for dialogue, the event provided Ukrainian students and scientists the opportunity to engage directly with the DESY delegation and EURIZON fellows. The agenda emphasized the significance of building connections and knowledge exchange, underscoring DESY and EURIZON’s ongoing support for young Ukrainian scientists and researchers. There was a particular focus on maintaining academic progress and collaboration, despite the ongoing challenges.

The official session began with welcoming remarks by Olena Pastoven, Head of the Student Parliament of the Faculty of Physics at Taras Shevchenko University. Following this, the DESY delegation and EURIZON fellows delivered a series of presentations. These talks offered insights into DESY’s advanced research infrastructure and addressed the various ways DESY and EURIZON offer support to Ukrainian students and researchers. Notable success stories from four EURIZON Fellowship grantees and one EURIZON EMMRI fellow were also shared. The fellows presented their ongoing research projects, showcasing their innovative work and their collaboration efforts with European scientists, supported by EURIZON.

During the event, a lively Q&A session took place. Students and young scientists discussed with the DESY team current challenges facing Ukrainian science within the broader geopolitical context. The conversation centered on how DESY and other institutions and laboratories from Europe could provide further support, particularly in the form of remote research opportunities and collaborative projects. Participants explored how sustained international cooperation could help advance Ukraine’s scientific development, even in the face of restricted mobility and disrupted research environments.

The workshop concluded with a networking session, offering participants the chance to form meaningful connections with the visiting delegation and the EURIZON grant recipients. This informal gathering reinforced the day’s central theme: strengthening ties between the Ukrainian scientific community and European research networks.