On January 8th, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) provided modern metrological and IT equipment to Lviv Polytechnic National University through a grant agreement. USAID’s goal of the grant program is to better technical skills and inclusive conditions for workforce development in the machine-building sector of Ukraine. Over 100 students of the Railway Transport and Machine–building Departments and the professors benefit from the new equipment bolstering their practical research. Furthermore, the university plans to cooperate with business entities and provide defectoscopy services to the community.
The laboratory in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering received magnetic powder, ultrasonic flaw detectors, a visual measurement control set (mirror, probes, a magnifying glass with a flashlight), and standard samples for metal analysis. The university also received IT equipment, including an interactive educational system to support individuals with vi sual disabilities, an electronic stationary video magnifier, interactive whiteboard, a projector, a laptop with a program for screen access and magnification, a headset for a language classroom, analog audio panels for students and an audio concentrator, a monitor, an acoustic system, computer mice, and a color inkjet printer. Uniquely, this equipment will allow students and teachers with inclusive needs to participate.
The Deputy Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Transport of Lviv Polytechnic, Yaroslav Bolzhelarskyi explains that due to the regulation change in March 2024, requiring railway wagons to have a safety certificate, the university’s laboratory will be in high demand. With the shortage of these specific laboratories, the university hopes to fill in the market gaps with the new equipment. For example, “with the help of the defectoscopes, we will be able to carry out research on wagons by performing a non-destructive analysis”, continues Yaroslav Bolzhelarskyi.
“This is a significant upgrade for our university. We haven’t updated material resources since before the full-scale invasion”, says Oleg Sokil, Professor of the Department of Administrative and Financial Management at Lviv Polytechnic. “This equipment will help us provide students with in-demand skills within the labor market. Our graduates will be able to perform modern research. It will also expand our opportunities for cooperation with business entities that need metal detectors. This equipment brings education and business needs closer” he explained.
Background: Assistance to agricultural producers and infrastructure companies is part of the Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI) – Ukraine, implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.