Lecturers of NTU «KhPI» – Roman Zaitsev , Kseniia Minakova, Mykhailo Kirichenko and Olga Andreieva – visited the University of Tuscia (Italy) and took part in the International Staff Week events for academic staff. Kharkiv Polytechnics discussed with their colleagues the ways of implementing academic mobility programs and double degrees, took part in networking sessions on new areas of cooperation and joint projects in the field of energy, and visited the university’s research laboratories. This visit opened up new prospects for future partnership with the Italian educational institution: in particular, it is planned to work together on a grant to implement the project TRUST, which aims to create a new center for research and study of nuclear synthesis.
The scientific group of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Computer Modeling, Applied Physics and Mathematics of NTU «KhPI» consisting of the Head of the Department of Micro- and Nanoelectronics, Professor Roman Zaitsev, Professor Kseniia Minakova and Associate Professor Mykhailo Kirichenko, as well as Associate Professor of the Department of Physics Olga Andreieva visited the University of Tuscia in Viterbo, Italy, as part of the Erasmus+ KA1 academic mobility program. The main purpose of the trip was to participate in the International Staff Week.
During the event, the participants presented Erasmus+ projects, participated in events on mobility and double degree programs, and visited the university’s research laboratories. A particularly important aspect of the business trip was a meeting with a research team led by Prof. Giuseppe Calabrò, who is working on the project TRUST (Tuscia Research University Small Tokamak), which opened up new opportunities for joint research in the field of energy. Kseniia Minakova notes: «The Department of Micro- and Nanoelectronics plans to join this project, expanding its experience in collaborative research. Participation in such an initiative will not only strengthen international relations, but also create a platform for training Ukrainian engineers according to the latest standards. TRUST is not just a project. It is a contribution to the future of energy and science, involving the world’s leading universities and companies. And Ukraine has a worthy place in this future».
At the round table meeting, polytechnic scientists discussed with the representatives of the University of Tuscia, Dr. Angela Fattoretti, Dr. Felicetta Ripa and Dr. Carlo Contardo, the prospects in the field of academic mobility of students and teachers. In addition, Kharkiv scientists took part in networking sessions with Prof. R. Biasi, Prof. A.M. Vettraino and Prof. R. Moscetti concerning the new areas of cooperation, and at the final meeting with Prof. Simone Severini, further steps were identified to expand the effective partnership.
One of the important results of the business trip, which took place from 14 to 23 December, 2024, became the agreement to expand cooperation in the Erasmus+ KA171 and KA2 programs and to prepare new joint projects, in particular under the Jean Monnet program. Representatives of NTU «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» are grateful to their colleagues for the warm welcome, openness to interaction and valuable exchange of experience and are confident that this trip will be the beginning of a long-term and productive partnership between Ukrainian and Italian universities.
The announcement of the opportunity to join the mobility program with University of Tuscia is available here.
Note:
ERASMUS+ is the European Union’s international cooperation with other countries in the field of education, youth and sport. Its goal is to support the educational, professional and personal development of citizens in the EU and beyond to contribute to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion, to foster innovation and strengthen European identity and active citizenship. The program provides opportunities for educational and academic mobility in education and for young people, projects and partnerships, strategy development and cooperation, professional networks and open resources.
Project TRUST (Tuscia Research University Small Tokamak) project is an initiative that opens a new page in nuclear synthesis research. Launched in 2022 by Professors Giuseppe Calabro (Electrical Engineering and Magnetic Synthesis Energy) and Pierluigi Fanelli (Mechanical Engineering), the project aims not only to develop scientific research but also to train a new generation of engineers with unique skills in synthesis.
The project has two key objectives: to create a new generation of specialists capable of developing advanced technologies in nuclear fusion and researching innovative materials for plasma-contact components, and to develop high-temperature superconductors (HTS) for magnetic systems of future reactors. TRUST includes the creation of a compact tokamak, a device for plasma containment. Its laboratories will test innovative materials capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures and energy flows. Particular attention is paid to the development of HTS coils and magnets, which should form the basis for the next generation of tokamaks.
The University of Tuscia (Università degli Studi della Tuscia) is a public higher education institution located in Viterbo, Italy. Founded in 1979, it is an important educational and cultural center of the region, which is actively engaged in international activities. It consists of 6 faculties and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs.