H-BRS builds remote laboratories for Ukrainian students

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Researchers at the university are developing remote laboratories in which students can carry out experiments on electronic components from a distance. The scientists from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering & Technical Journalism (EMT) want to enable students from Ukraine to continue their studies despite the war.

Professor Chakirov (right) and Dr Oleksandr Velihorskyi from Chernihiv Polytechnic National University (CPNU) in Ukraine have been working together on projects for years. Photo: Frank Seidel/H-BRS

Roustiam Chakirov is a professor of control engineering, particularly in automotive engineering, at H-BRS. He initiated the project together with colleagues and partners from Ukraine. The Ukrainian partner university Chernihiv Polytechnic National University (CPNU) in the north of the country was severely damaged in attacks by the Russian army and the majority of the laboratories are not functional. The scientists want to use the remote laboratories to ensure that teaching can continue. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is funding the project in the "Ukraine digital" programme with 56,000 Euro. In addition to the digital teaching programme, the DAAD also awards scholarships to Ukrainian students.

Dr Oleksandr Velihorskyi from the CPNU has been working closely with the H-BRS for years. When the war broke out, he was in Sankt Augustin and was unable to travel back to his home country. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's Philipp Schwartz Initiative for Endangered Scientists and Scholars has now enabled him to stay in Germany for the time being and continue his research at H-BRS.

The cooperation between the Ukrainian and German researchers has now existed for more than twelve years. The scientists have conducted joint research in various projects, for example on temperature control based on artificial neural networks for injection moulding machines. Ukrainian researchers were regular guests at the university and Ukrainian students wrote their theses in Germany. Professor Chakirov was honoured by the Ukrainian partner university in 2016 for his achievements in research cooperation. The cooperation has now been extended once again until 2025 as part of the DAAD's "Eastern Partnerships" programme. The funding volume amounts to 9,000 Euro per year.