KYIV ACADEMIC UNIVERSITY

Founding of KAU

The State Research Institution «Kyiv Academic University» (in short - Kyiv Academic University or KAU) is a newly established Ukrainian research-intensive university, jointly run by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS of Ukraine) and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The university was established in 2016 through the reorganization of the Physical and Technical Educational and Scientific Center of the NAS of Ukraine (formerly the Kyiv branch of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology). The key principle behind KAU is "learning by doing research internationally" -- to provide a research-intensive education system by leveraging the expertise of research institutions within the NAS of Ukraine, while also promoting integration with the European Research Area and fostering international collaborations with leading research universities worldwide.

Learning by doing research internationally

KAU uses a research-intensive education approach where students learn by doing research internationally. This involves hands-on learning through active engagement in research projects, often with international collaborators. By participating in global research, students gain valuable experience working with diverse teams and in cross-cultural communication, preparing them for careers in a globalized world.

This approach is implemented by:

• Selecting talented and creative students who are inclined towards research;
• Providing each student with an individualized learning experience that meets their unique needs and interests;
• Encouraging students to actively participate in world-class scientific research from the very beginning;
• Collaborating with leading scientists from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and leveraging the resources of the best academic laboratories;
• Supporting innovation and dual education, ensuring that our students are prepared to tackle real-world challenges;
• Integrating our students and faculty into the international scientific research community, fostering collaboration and exchange of knowledge.

KAU's main activities

KAU's main activities include scientific research, education, innovation, and dissemination. In scientific research, students and scientists collaborate on cutting-edge projects across a range of fields. The university's educational activities involve top scientists from the NAS of Ukraine who have extensive experience in international cooperation, teaching students and conducting joint research. The KAU Innovation Centre coordinates and implements technology transfer tools, increasing the technology and market readiness of innovations within KAU and academic institutes, and establishing a Deep Tech Science Park "Academ.City." Finally, the KAU Creative Media Lab launches initiatives to promote scientific education, research, and popular science in Ukraine.

Role of international cooperation

Transformation of the 'brain drain' into 'brain circulation' is one of the critical challenges for KAU. It requires a personal approach such as giving every student a clear understanding of scientific career opportunities based on individual skills and preferences combined with well-established long-term scientific collaborations with the US and European research centers. An example of such international cooperation is the project "Topological order of electrons in solids: New materials, Phenomena & Application Concepts (UKRATOP)", carried out in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden  (IFW) and projects: “The Role of the Complement System in Spinal Mechanisms of Chronic Pain”,  The National Institutes of Health of USA (n.1R01NS113189-01, 06/15/2019 – 05/31/2024) and  “Pan-European twinning to re-establish world-level Neuroscience Centre in Kiev (NEUROTWIN)” Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (n.857562 — NEUROTWIN, 01/08/2019 – 31/07/2022).

Structure of KAU

The strength of KAU lies in close conjunction of the educational process at the departments and research centers of KAU at the basic academic institutions , where interdisciplinary studies of the most relevant areas of modern science take place. Currently, the Data Science Research Center, the Center for Quantum Technologies, the Innovation Center and KAU Creative Media Lab are under active development. KAU has multiple departments at the research institutions of NAS of Ukraine:

1. Department of Applied Physics and Material Science (based at the Paton Institute of Electric Welding)
2. Department of Applied Physics and Nanoscale Systems (based at the Kurdyumov Institute of Metal Physics)
3. Department of Fundamental Problems of General and Applied Physics (based at the Institute of Physics)
4. Department of Biomedicine and Neuroscience  (based at the Kyiv Academic University);
5. Department of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (based at the Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics)
6. Department of Mathematics (based at the Institute of Mathematics)
7. Department of Theoretical Cybernetics and Optimal Control Methods (based at the Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics)
8. Department Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (based at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics)

Innovation activity of KAU

Currently, KAU Innovation Center aims to launch a Deep Tech Science Park “Academ.City” (https://kau.org.ua/en/science/innovation/academ-city) partnering with 12 research institutes of NAS of Ukraine  located in the Academgorodok district in the north-west of Kyiv as a place-based innovation ecosystem to increase Technology and Market Readiness Levels (TRL and MRL) of regional innovations. We collaborate with Kyiv regional authorities, businesses, and NGOs to achieve this aim. First of all, we plan to focus on  Kyiv region smart-specialization areas such as biotech, green technologies, IT, creative industries, production of innovative food products with improved consumer qualities (functional food), development of energy-efficient solutions based on alternative energy sources, innovative products for construction, design and everyday life, bioactive substances and pharmaceuticals for human health. Moreover, research areas of excellence will include AI and machine learning, bioinformatics and systems biology, advanced materials, nanotechnologies, quantum technologies, and the energy sector.