KPI master's degree program 'Dynamics and Strength of Machines' receives independent European accreditation

A procedure for independent European accreditation of the study program of masters' training "Dynamics and Strength of Machines" had taken place in the Department of Dynamics and Strength of Machines and Strength of Materials at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering under the Kiev Polytechnic Institute named for Igor Sikorsky (KPI) from June 24 to June 26.

The procedure was carried out by the Accreditation Commission of Universities of Technology, KAUT of Poland.

Accreditation met the standards and criteria ENAEE (European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education) that contribute to the common understanding of quality assurance for learning and teaching across borders and among all stakeholders, irrespective of the national characteristics of higher education systems. The final goal of accreditation is to get the EUR-ACE® label, a certificate awarded by an authorized agency to a higher education institution in respect of each engineering degree program which it has accredited.

Representatives of the Center of Independent Accreditation of Engineering Program (CIAEP) participated as observers in the accreditation procedure, given that CIAEP is the ENAEE associate member.

Participation of the CIAEP representatives in the independent accreditation procedure up to European standards has become an important practical step towards the development of the system of independent accreditation of engineering education programs in Ukraine.

УКРАИНА НА 54-М МЕСТЕ В РЕЙТИНГЕ КОНКУРЕНТОСПОСОБНОСТИ IMD

Недавно швейцарская бизнес-школа IMD опубликовала ежегодный рейтинг конкурентоспособности национальных экономик. Украина поднялась в списке на пять пунктов, хотя страна всё ещё находится в конце списка. В рейтинге 63 позиции, а Украина занимает 54-е место.

В верхней части списка, по сравнению с прошлым годом, произошли существенные перемены. Сингапур переместился с третьей позиции на первую, поменявшись местами с США. Республика возглавила рейтинг впервые с 2010 года.

Мировой рейтинг конкурентоспособности IMD был впервые опубликован в 1989 году. Он включает 235 показателей для 63 стран. В нём учитывается эффективность бизнеса, темпы развития экономики, инфраструктура и многие другие экономические показатели. Оценка производится как на основании статистических данных, так и путём опроса глав компаний.

Ukravtodor cancels contract with Chinese company

Recently, the state road agency Ukravtodor canceled the contract with the Chinese company Xinjiang Communications Construction Group Co. Ltd., which was supposed to repair a road running from the village of Goloskov to a border between the Khmelnitsky and Vinnitsa regions. Though the $38.49 million deal was signed on October 10, 2017, only 1% of the contract works has been carried out by this June instead of 70% according to schedule.

Moreover, the section of the roadway, which the Chinese were commissioned to mend, has been brought to a state of disrepair in 18 months. Under the circumstances the Khmelnitsky regional branch of Ukravtodor has to go to great pains to fill in potholes.

Financed at the expense of the IBRD loan, the project is implemented on FIDIC terms, involving the independent consulting engineer who manages and controls the execution of works. A decision on the cancellation of the contract has been agreed with the World Bank.

ЧИСЛО УКРАИНЦЕВ, ПОБЫВАВШИХ ЗА ГРАНИЦЕЙ, УВЕЛИЧИЛОСЬ НА 4%

По данным Государственной пограничной службы, с начала действия безвизового режима 11 июня 2017 года, три миллиона граждан Украины осуществили 42,6 млн поездок по безвизу в страны ЕС. За второй год безвиза (с 11.06.2018 по 11.06.2019 гг.) зафиксировано 2,35 млн поездок по безвизу, что в 4,2 раза больше, чем за первый год (с 11.06.2017 по 11.06.2018 гг.).

За последний год выезжали за границу 17% жителей Украины, тогда как не выезжали - 81%. Следует отметить, что в сравнении с июнем 2017 г. число украинцев, побывавших за последний год за границей, увеличилось на 4%.

Ukraine's population tired of IMF demands

Igor Kolomoisky, former business partner of incumbent president Vladimir Zelensky, does not see a problem with a Ukrainian debt default because the local population is tired of IMF demands and inclined to make a fresh start. Reportedly, Ukraine's external debt amounts to 60% of gross domestic product.

According to Mr. Kolomoisky, the United States and EU should write off Ukraine’s external debt entirely as payment for the country’s suffering during their struggle with Russia. “This is your game, your geopolitics,” he told the Financial Times. “You don’t care about Ukraine. You want to hurt Russia, and Ukraine is just an excuse.”

At the same time, Dmitry Razumkov, head of Zelensky’s party Servant of the People, has attempted to convince investors that the option of the default is not the way this country would go.

However, the statement of Kolomoisky, who has influence on the new president, put creditors and investors on alert. It is clear as daylight why the oligarch needs the default: he wants to buy cheap assets including state-owned ones.

Some experts see nothing wrong with the default. Alexander Okhrimenko, president of the Ukrainian Analytical Center, thinks the default is nothing but a scarecrow. In fact, all the fuss will end in debt swaps.

СТОИМОСТЬ ТРАНСПОРТИРОВКИ ГАЗА ВЛИЯЕТ НА ТАРИФЫ В РЕГИОНАХ УКРАИНЫ

Согласно заявлению Ассоциации газового рынка Украины, стоимость природного газа в платёжках будет разной на всей территории Украины. Эта разница обусловлена решением Национальной комиссии по регулированию тарифов на энергетические и коммунальные услуги о введении для компании "Укртрансгаз" тарифа на транспортировку, исходя из заказанной мощности.

То есть на тарифы повлияет стоимость транспортировки газа, а раньше она не учитывалась. Например, в Харькове за один кубический метр газа придётся платить 8,4 гривны, а в Черкассах - 7,9 грн. Самый дорогой на Украине газ получат потребители Николаева - по 8,432 грн за куб. м, а самый дешёвый - киевляне, по цене 7,81 грн за куб. м.

KPI deepens further partnerships with Polish scientific, educational institutions

The Kiev Polytechnic Institute named for Igor Sikorsky (KPI) has extensive experience in international projects.

Two Horizon 2020 National Contact Points (NCPs) have been established at the KPI and are operating under the societal challenges "Information and Communication Technologies" and "Climate Action, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials".

From 2012 to 2018, University's subdivisions have been implementing six projects within the framework of the EU program TEMPUS; five projects under the EU program ERASMUS MUNDUS; 64 projects under ERASMUS+ KA1; four projects within ERASMUS+ KA2; one project under ERASMUS+, Jean Monnet Activities; seven projects under the Eurasia Program; two projects under the British Council program; seven projects under the DAAD program (German Academic Exchange Service); three projects under the program Polish Aid; six projects under the NATO Science for Peace and Security Program; three projects under the EU research program FP7 (Seventh Research Framework Program); four projects under the EU research and innovation program Horizon 2020; as well as projects within other international programs.

Overall, the KPI participated in more than 350 international projects, programs and foundations within the period under review.

In consideration of growing cooperation between Ukraine and Poland, the KPI takes a keen interest in participation in the program NAWA (Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange) to deepen further partnerships with Polish scientific and educational institutions.