Contemporary technical education in Ukraine is undergoing a transformation. It needs to be more than just a source of knowledge; it must be a tool for training specialists capable of working within a green economy and high-tech production. At Metinvest Polytechnic, this is a crucial priority: the university combines academic instruction with practical internships, international partnerships, and the integration of global technological standards into the learning process.
One example of this approach is a four-week internship completed by Metinvest Polytechnic technical university professor Volodymyr Pashynskyi at Danieli Academy (Buttrio, Italy). DANIELI & C. Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche is among the world’s top three leaders in the design and production of metallurgical equipment and is working together with Metinvest on a project for environmentally friendly steel production.
The professor acquired practical expertise and direct experience with contemporary metallurgical techniques during his internship, spanning from electric arc furnace steelmaking to automated and robotic production. He was impressed by the level of technological integration: at the ABS, Pittini, Trametal, Arvedi Servola, and Voestalpine plants in Linz (Austria), all operations at continuous casting machines are performed by robots, allowing staff to supervise from comfortable settings. Professor Volodymyr PASHYNSKYI of Metinvest Polytechnic commented, "This signifies an advanced standard for both production culture and the working environment.
The analytical significance of the internship is not merely in becoming acquainted with the equipment. Volodymyr Pashynskyi gained insight into how innovations are incorporated into every production phase – how businesses integrate environmental protocols, automation, and workplace safety. This experience enables the university to go beyond 'teaching theory' and design curricula that tackle contemporary industrial challenges while complying with global standards.
The internship also became a platform for international connections: meetings with the MILL’S team and participation in the annual meeting of the Italian Foundry Association (ASSOFOND). As the professor highlighted, "For lecturers, academic mobility goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition. It's a chance to join the global community and forge alliances beneficial to both students and the university."
DANIELI & C. Officine Meccaniche, one of the top three global players in metallurgical equipment design and manufacturing, is collaborating with Metinvest on an eco-friendly steel production initiative.
The whole course was delivered in English, posing an extra difficulty yet demonstrating a crucial educational trend: international communication and advanced technical English are now vital professional skills, not just optional ones.
The insights gained from international internships reveal that the first private mining and metallurgical university in Ukraine is pioneering a new educational paradigm. This approach integrates academic learning with hands-on experience, preparing students for the actual demands of modern metallurgy, automation, and the "green" economy. According to Volodymyr Pashynskyi, this is more than just a visiting professorship; it's integral to the university's larger objective of cultivating competitive specialists who can participate in global industrial and research processes, aiding in the modernization and recovery of Ukrainian industry.
