Metinvest Group continues to implement programmes for young people, encouraging them to return to Ukraine and supporting their professional growth. As part of the second round of Steel Force – an internship programme for Ukrainian students studying abroad – Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov visited the University of Warwick and delivered an open lecture.
The University of Warwick is among the top universities in the United Kingdom. The visit was made possible with the support of Bozhena KELESTYN, a Ukrainian professor and programme leader at the Warwick Business School.
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Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick has gained international recognition for its strong academic programmes, innovative research, and deep business partnerships.
The University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, an association of research-intensive universities, and is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to addressing complex global challenges, ranging from industrial development to digital transformation.
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) plays a particularly important role as one of the leading centres for applied research, bringing together science, engineering, and business. WMG drives innovation in manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development, while fostering a new generation of specialists.
The university also actively develops global partnerships, extending its influence far beyond the borders of the United Kingdom.
During the meeting, students of the University of Warwick took part in an open discussion with Yuriy Ryzhenkov on resilient leadership. This approach to management combines traditional leadership skills with the ability to adapt to complex and unpredictable circumstances. These are the very conditions in which Metinvest’s enterprises in Ukraine are currently operating amid the ongoing war.
The discussion with Ukrainian and international students of the university was moderated by a graduate of the first cohort of the Steel Force programme.
STEEL FORCE
The second round of Steel Force will be even larger in scale, engaging Ukrainian students not only from the UK but also from Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania. The programme focuses on the following disciplines: finance, economics, management, and engineering.
Yuriy RYZHENKOV, CEO of Metinvest Group:
– Initiatives and projects for young people implemented by Metinvest are an investment in the future of our country. In particular, the Steel Force programme provides young Ukrainians studying abroad with valuable hands-on experience and an understanding of the real-world business environment. It is an opportunity to identify talented, motivated individuals and involve them in projects that support Ukraine's recovery and industrial development.
As part of the visit, Yuriy Ryzhenkov also met with the Dean of WMG and held discussions with representatives of the university's Ukrainian student community. The discussion centred on applied research in the digitalisation of manufacturing processes, particularly the use of AI to optimise production, increase energy efficiency, and improve product quality. Effective approaches to integrating education, research, and industry through practice-based learning were also highlighted.
WMG's experience can contribute to the development of educational programmes and research initiatives at Metinvest Polytechnic, a mining and metallurgy university, and support the implementation of future joint projects.
