The forum explored how business, universities, EdTech, and the state can develop human capital through partnerships and real-world projects. Topics included adapting universities to financing through private investment, creating educational products tailored to the needs of business, motivating students, transforming the role of lecturers in the age of AI and preparing education to meet the needs of veterans. The event brought together 36 speakers, including representatives from government, business, Ukrainian and international universities and other experts. Metinvest Group was the event’s general partner.
Oleksandr Povazhnyi took part in the “Mission Possible: How Business and the State Are Modernising Universities” panel discussion. Other participants included: Forbes Ukraine’s founding editor Volodymyr Fedorin; Adviser to the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mykhailo Ivan Vynnytskyi; and member of the supervisory board of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and Ukrainian Catholic University senator Iryna Ivanchyk.
According to the Rector, Metinvest Polytechnic demonstrates how large private businesses can not only fund but also manage a university, participate in its operations and become a true partner in education. “It’s not just about contributing to academic programmes — Metinvest representatives also serve as lecturers and participate in specific case studies,” he added.
Moreover, the university’s educational process features a flexible learning schedule and a strong focus on practical training.
“The university also serves as a platform for innovation, engaging in scientific research and operational improvement programmes where lecturers and students tackle complex business challenges. This is a significant advantage for both the university and the company,” Povazhnyi said.
He noted that, in order to address the crisis in secondary education and improve proficiency in the hard sciences, the university collaborates with vocational institutions, contributing to programme development, teaching processes and the enhancement of laboratory and practical facilities.
“We help students reach the university level through additional programmes, practical learning and cooperation with vocational schools — showing that physics, mathematics and other core sciences are real tools for an engineer’s future success,” he emphasised.
For Metinvest Polytechnic, students are the top priority, Povazhnyi said, as their success reflects the success of both the university and the business. That is why the university both imparts knowledge and skills and also supports student leadership and initiatives.
For example, after its first graduating class, the university established an alumni association that includes students, the university’s leadership and representatives of Metinvest. This allows for feedback, tracking career paths and offering graduates opportunities for development and creative initiatives.
At the same time, Metinvest Polytechnic’s scholarship programme includes standard, enhanced, and CEO-level scholarships. “UAH10,000 for the top-performing students is a strong incentive for them to study and grow,” Povazhnyi added.
In his view, restoring the popularity of the engineering professions requires collaboration and synergies among the country’s technical universities.
“That’s why we’ve signed memoranda with Kyiv and Dnipro Polytechnics and have many plans for further cooperation. In particular, we’re developing a joint, dual-degree programme with Dnipro Polytechnic. This is extremely important, as every technical university must do everything possible to develop and raise the prestige of engineering work. This gives us more opportunities to select students, expand our talent pool and create the conditions for the growth of our universities,” Povazhnyi said.
Metinvest Polytechnic is a university of the future, offering young people new and wide-ranging opportunities, using modern digital systems and platforms in education. Metinvest Group founded the university in June 2020. Over five years, more than 1,080 students have enrolled in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes. Some 970 participants have completed professional development courses in metallurgy, mining, and soft skills, while 4,150 Metinvest employees have undergone safety and language training. The university has already graduated 267 master’s students. It attracts individuals pursuing technical specialities that enjoy strong demand on the job market. Metinvest Group guarantees top students their first job, career growth, financial support and other incentives.