Stanislav Panzhar became the first graduate of the unique DSG2 dual-degree program, which is jointly offered by the National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Germany). The student completed the entire program—from online courses at Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute to on-campus study at the partner university in Germany, where he defended his bachelor’s thesis and received degrees from both universities. His research focused on the deformation behavior of a sliding bearing test stand and was conducted under the guidance of German faculty members. The DSG2 program was launched in 2022 to support Ukrainian youth who found themselves in Germany due to the war. Currently, more than 250 students are pursuing engineering degrees through the program.
Stanislav Panzhar was among the first students to join the DSG2 program in 2022 and completed the entire educational track it offered—from the start of his studies at the National Technical University «KhPI» to their completion at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg. This year, he successfully defended his bachelor’s thesis in Magdeburg and became the program’s first graduate to receive degrees from both universities. His research, titled «Calculation of the Elastic Deformation Behavior of a Plain Bearing Test Stand Using the Finite Element Method» (Berechnung des elastischen Verformungsverhaltens eines Gleitlagerprüfstands mit Hilfe der Finite-Elemente-Methode), was conducted under the supervision of Dr.-Ing. Lars Bobach (Dr.-Ing. Lars Bobach) and Ingo Grunow, master of engineering. «I worked with a real-world research test stand for testing sliding bearings, which is being developed at the University of Magdeburg. Based on a digital model of the test stand, I created a computer model in ANSYS and used the finite element method to investigate how loads and distances between components affect their behavior. Based on the simulation results, I was able to derive a calculation formula that reproduces the results of complex numerical simulations with an average deviation of less than 1%,» says Stanislav.
His studies in Magdeburg were a continuation of the education Stanislav had previously received at the NTU «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute». There, under the guidance of Professor Pavel Shchapov, Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, he defended his bachelor’s thesis, «A Study of Digital Signal Processing Methods for Electronic Stethoscopes,» which focused on improving the quality of electronic stethoscope signals and their subsequent analysis in digital medical systems. Thus, participation in the DSG2 program gave Stanislav the opportunity to deepen his engineering training, gain experience studying in a different academic environment, and apply his knowledge during practical work in Magdeburg.
Stanislav Panzhar’s story is an example of how international educational cooperation opens up new opportunities for students’ professional development. For the DSG2 program, his graduation marked an important milestone—the first confirmation that the educational model launched jointly by NTU «KhPI» and Otto von Guericke University is successfully working in practice. Ahead are new graduates, new research, and the continued development of the Ukrainian-German partnership.
Contact information for the German Education Center at NTU «KhPI»:
Email: daz@khpi.edu.ua
https://www.instagram.com/daz.khpi/
Note:
The DSG2 Dual Degree Program is a comprehensive educational initiative designed to support Ukrainian high school graduates who, due to the war, are currently in Germany or other EU countries. Given the specific characteristics of the European education system, graduates of Ukrainian high schools are typically unable to enroll directly in German universities. Under the DSG2 program, they first enroll at the National Technical University «KhPI» and begin their studies remotely. After completing their first year, students are admitted to Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, where they continue their studies as full-fledged students of the German university. The program involves moving to Magdeburg and living in a student dormitory. The DSG2: neo project is being implemented by NTU «KhPI» in collaboration with Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and has been in operation since June 2022. It is aimed at Ukrainian applicants currently in Germany and covers priority fields of study such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical technology. The updated agreement on the implementation of the DSG2neo dual-degree program between NTU «KhPI» and Otto von Guericke University was signed in Magdeburg (Germany) on April 13, 2026.
Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) is one of the country’s leading technical universities, located in the city of Magdeburg. Founded in 1993 through the merger of several educational and research institutions, it is named after the German scientist and inventor Otto von Guericke. The university has a distinct focus on engineering, technology, and the natural sciences. Its main fields of study include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, energy engineering, chemistry, and medical engineering. Significant attention is paid to research activities and collaboration with industry. OVGU actively participates in international educational programs and academic mobility projects, maintaining partnerships with universities in various countries, including Ukraine. The partnership between Otto von Guericke University and the National Technical University «KhPI» has a long history.