The history of Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute is shaped by individuals whose achievements have defined the university's academic and human legacy for generations. One of the most distinguished among them is Professor Volodymyr Serhiiovych Kovalenko, whose contribution continues to inspire the university community. On June 20, 2026, the university marked the 85th anniversary of the birth of this outstanding scientist, whose research and teaching career was as focused and purposeful as the laser beam he devoted his life to mastering.
An interesting fact: colleagues affectionately referred to Volodymyr Kovalenko as Mr. Laser not only within the walls of his alma mater, but also at prestigious international scientific conferences in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, China, and Japan, where he represented Ukraine's scientific community. It was far more than a memorable nickname—it was recognition of a scientist whose pioneering work secured Ukraine a place on the global map of laser engineering.
A Pioneer’s Journey: From Student to Founder of a Scientific School
Volodymyr Kovalenko's years at Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute shaped the course of his entire professional life. After graduating in 1963, he remained at the university, beginning his career as an engineer and lecturer. Over the years, he progressed from an enthusiastic young researcher to an esteemed professor, Head of two departments (as discussed later), Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, and Director of the Research Institute of Laser Engineering and Technology.
The word first
a
ppears repeatedly throughout his biography. He became the first scholar in the country to earn a Doctor of Sciences degree for research devoted to the industrial application of laser technologies. In 1984, at his initiative, Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute launched Ukraine's first engineering degree program in Technology and Equipment for Laser Materials Processing
.
In 1990, while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, he founded the renowned Department of Laser Technology, Machine Design, and Materials Science, which he headed for nearly two decades.
Between 2005 and 2007, Professor Kovalenko contributed to the development of the first web-based equipment loading systems within the framework of the EU's Manufuture platform—a European technology platform established to modernize manufacturing by bringing together industry, academia, and policymakers to develop innovative industrial strategies.
Volodymyr Kovalenko recognized, long before many of his contemporaries, that laser technologies would transform heavy industry, medicine, and microelectronics. At a time when many scientists still regarded lasers primarily as fascinating physical phenomena, he was already integrating them into real industrial processes, including cutting, welding, and the heat treatment of materials.
Global Recognition and Scientific Diplomacy
The impact of Professor Volodymyr Kovalenko's scientific work extended far beyond the borders of Ukraine. He was an elected member of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) and the Laser Institute of America. His
Handbook of Laser Technology
, co-authored with his students and colleagues, remains an important reference for engineers working in the field of laser technology.
A particularly significant chapter of his career was his recognition in the People's Republic of China. As an Honorary Professor and Director of the Laser Center at Zhejiang University of Technology, he mentored dozens of young scientists. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was awarded China's highest honor presented to foreign nationals—the
Friendship Order
.
Through his scientific diplomacy, Professor Kovalenko helped expand the international partnerships of Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute, opening new opportunities for collaboration during the challenging transitional years of the 1990s.
His achievements were also recognized at the international governmental level. In 1997, Professor Kovalenko was invited to participate in the 52nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he represented Ukraine as an expert on mitigating the consequences of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster and on the application of laser technologies in the recovery process.
The Department of Laser Technology, Machine Design, and Materials Science founded by Professor Volodymyr Kovalenko—today the Department of Laser Systems and Advanced Technologies within the Yevhen O. Paton Educational and Research Institute of Materials Science and Welding—continues to serve as one of the driving forces behind scientific and technological progress at Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute. The legacy of Mr. Laser has evolved into a powerful research and educational center that addresses the complex challenges of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, the latest stages in the evolution of industrial manufacturing.
Today, laser technologies at Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute extend far beyond traditional applications such as cutting and welding metals. The department's key research areas include:
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Additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
Researchers and students are advancing laser-based layer-by-layer manufacturing, directed energy deposition, and innovative methods for producing high-performance components for the aerospace and energy industries.
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Micro- and nanomaterial processing.
Research focuses on creating advanced textured surfaces, laser surface hardening, and ultra-precise micrometer-scale perforation.
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Integration with digital technologies.
Modern laser systems are developed in synergy with computer-aided design, computational modeling of physical processes, and artificial intelligence, creating intelligent manufacturing solutions for the next generation of industry.
The Department of Laser Systems and Advanced Technologies continues to maintain its strong international standing. Its young researchers regularly represent Ukraine at leading international scientific exhibitions and professional forums.
The connection between research and industry is further strengthened through the department's participation in major innovation initiatives within the Sikorsky Challenge ecosystem, where technologies developed by researchers at Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute—including laser engineering solutions—attract the interest of both Ukrainian and international investors.
The continuity of generations remains one of the department's defining strengths. Today's master's students and doctoral candidates study under the Engineering of Welding, Laser, and Related Technologies program, combining ambitious scientific ideas with practical engineering expertise. Their work reflects the enduring legacy of the scientific school established with the participation of Professor Volodymyr Kovalenko. His students and followers continue to generate innovations that contribute to the modernization of Ukrainian industry and strengthen the country's technological independence.
A Light That Never Fades
A distinguished scientist's legacy is measured not only by the number of patents earned or monographs published. It is reflected in the professional achievements of the engineers he trained, the innovations they have brought to life, and the impact of their scientific research. Professor Volodymyr S. Kovalenko established a distinguished scientific school that launched the careers of numerous engineers and researchers, including candidates and doctors of science, who now work around the world—from technology companies in Silicon Valley to leading research laboratories across Asia and Europe.
Professor Volodymyr Kovalenko passed away in April 2022, during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine's recent history. He was laid to rest at Baikove Cemetery in Kyiv. Yet the influence of a true teacher endures. His legacy lives on through the industrial methodologies he developed, the laser systems he helped create, and the academic principles that continue to guide the department he founded. Above all, his memory remains with the thousands of graduates of Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute whose lives and careers he shaped.
The 85th anniversary of Professor Kovalenko's birth is a significant milestone for the university community. The "laser beam" he dedicated his life to advancing continues its journey through time, carried forward by the generations of researchers, engineers, and educators who build upon the scientific and educational foundation he established. Widely respected as Mr. Laser within the international scientific community, Professor Kovalenko left a legacy that continues to inspire his students and successors to pursue new achievements on the global stage.
In the photo: Head of the Department of LTFT O. Kaglyak speaks at the round table meetingOn June 25, the Scientific and Technical Library of Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute hosted a roundtable discussion in memory of Professor Kovalenko. Colleagues, former students, family members, and friends gathered to reflect on his remarkable scientific career, share personal memories, and honor a scholar who devoted decades to the university, founded an influential scientific school, and educated generations of researchers and engineering professionals.