It seems as if it was only yesterday that representatives of charitable foundations, leaders of the KPI scientific community, and Deputy Minister of Education Denys Kurbatov ceremonially opened the Sikorsky Challenge Additive Technologies Science Park. It is one of three science parks currently operating at the university.

Yet this science park is special. It was born of war. Had it not been for Russia’s horrific aggression—which, instead of building a normal, civilized life at home and caring for the well-being of its citizens, seeks to seize the territories of other states simply because they refuse to live under anyone’s dictatorship—there would not be so many people in need of assistance.

The park set itself two primary objectives: to train specialists in the development and manufacture of modern prostheses and orthoses, and to create innovative products that support this work. The park’s core equipment consists of a suite of high-powered 3D printers used to manufacture various prosthetic components.

High-precision scanning (detailed digital capture) is carried out here, and holographic models of limbs are created using a mobile laser scanner. Overall, as stated on the park’s website, its areas of activity include research, design, scanning, modeling, prototyping, and the manufacture of Ukrainian prostheses, orthoses, and related products that meet the world’s best standards, in cooperation with additive manufacturing companies, global science parks, and leading universities.

Back then, in the spring of last year, many of the visitors were veterans in need of assistance, including those who were already using prostheses but wanted more advanced ones in order not only to get back on their feet as quickly as possible—both literally and figuratively—but also to feel confident.

For veterans who wished to master the profession of an additive manufacturing specialist, a dedicated training program was developed.

In general, the issue of developing additive technologies at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute was viewed more broadly even then. The university, and accordingly the science park, decided to establish its own production facilities based on innovative technologies. As a result, the Educational and Innovation Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation was created. The Science and Technology Park took responsibility for developing its material base. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” and the charitable foundations Kolo and Genesis for Ukraine.

It is clear that the problem of rehabilitating people who have lost limbs on the battlefield or as a result of war—wherever they may be—will only become more acute. There are already about one hundred thousand such people in Ukraine. Very often, these are young people who want to return to an active life. Modern technologies make this possible.

During the 13th International Festival of Innovative Projects “Sikorsky Challenge 2024: Innovations for Peace and Security of Ukraine,” the achievements and development prospects of the Additive Technologies Science Park were discussed at the panel discussion “Advanced Technologies in Prosthesis Manufacturing and Prosthetics.” Representatives of universities, foundations, manufacturing companies, as well as Ukrainian and international experts, took an active and engaged part in the discussion.

At the festival, Nataliia Seminska, Director of the Educational and Innovation Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation of the Institute of Postgraduate Education at KPI, presented a report titled “Sikorsky Challenge Additive Technologies Science Park: Challenges and Prospects.” She spoke about the specifics of prosthetics in Ukraine and abroad. In countries without war, she noted, the need for prosthetics is mainly among older people, and if among younger individuals, it is most often due to accidents. In Ukraine, however, these are young people who have lost limbs because of the war—due to shelling, aerial attacks, and landmines. “If we consider that the average age of people with amputated limbs in Ukraine is 30–40 years, they will need to use prostheses for decades to come,” Nataliia Seminska emphasized.

“This means regular maintenance and replacement of prosthetic components.

Therefore, the only solution is the development of our own innovative technologies, production capacities, and the training of engineers and physicians.”

One of the key innovations that makes it possible to timely account for changes in a person’s condition and help them adapt is additive manufacturing technology.

The Director of the Science Park also spoke about close cooperation with the Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Rehabilitation Center “Bez Obmezhen” (“Without Limits”), Parachar Industries, and Quorum Orthopedics—a leader in the production of prosthetic sockets using additive technologies.

Studying the experience of partners, including international ones from Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Spain, “will allow us to gain the experience of industry leaders and develop our own model of science park operations within the challenging legislative environment of Ukraine,” Nataliia Seminska said.

Relying on advanced technologies and international experience, the science park has significant prospects for developing project and grant activities, expanding cooperation with partners, scaling up, implementation, commercialization, and integration into the global ecosystem through the International Association of Science Parks. It is actively developing and launching new initiatives.

Shortly before the New Year, a new educational and research laboratory for prosthetics, medical rehabilitation, and occupational therapy was opened at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. This enables full-scale modeling of upper and lower limbs, followed by the manufacture of prosthetic sockets.

Together with the Educational and Innovation Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation and the Additive Technologies Science Park, this laboratory is part of an innovative ecosystem created at the technical university that brings together education, science, technology, medical engineering, and veteran support.

This is a real opportunity to acquire new and critically needed practical skills for students studying in the fields of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mechanics—especially within certificate programs and specializations such as “Prosthetics Engineering and Technologies” at the bachelor’s level, and “Medical Engineering Technologies in Prosthetics” and “Additive Technologies in Prosthetics” at the master’s level.

It is also a strong practical training base for bachelor’s and master’s students in Biomedical Engineering specializing in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, as well as for educational programs within this field: “Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy” at the bachelor’s level and “Physical Therapy” at the master’s level.

The laboratory will help future specialists develop skills in prosthetic rehabilitation and train patients in basic prosthesis use, which is a crucial first stage after prosthesis fitting.

Following the opening of the laboratory, a panel discussion was held on the prospects for education, internships, and employment for veterans—both men and women—studying at the master’s level at KPI. Notably, an inclusive space for this category of students is being created in one of the Kyiv Polytechnic dormitories. The grant program supporting master’s-level education for veterans, as well as the creation of inclusive educational infrastructure, is being implemented with the support of the Ukrainian product IT company appflame and with the assistance of the Genesis for Ukraine foundation.