On June 9, a new R&D Laboratory for Installation and Operation of Electrical Equipment officially opened its doors to students and staff of the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
Its establishment became possible through the long-term partnership between the Department of Power Supply of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and DKC Ukraine PJSC. This collaboration began more than 12 years ago, in 2013, when the first joint training and practical area was set up in a modest space occupying only about one-third of the current laboratory’s area. Since early 2025, the department has renewed its active and productive cooperation with the company, making it possible to establish a new state-of-the-art R&D laboratory at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management. Another key partner in the project was the renowned German company Phoenix Contact, which supplied modern electrical installation tools. The new equipment will significantly enhance the quality, efficiency, and comfort of students’ practical training.
“Today we have an excellent example of cooperation between employers, industry, and the university. It demonstrates that together we are moving toward further improving the quality of education at our university and, more broadly, technical education in Ukraine,” said Anatolii Melnychenko, Rector of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, during the laboratory’s opening ceremony. “The establishment of the Laboratory for Installation and Operation of Electrical Equipment at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management is an extremely important milestone. Such equipment is used in virtually every area of modern life—from construction to defense and security, and many other sectors. That is why it is essential for our students to master the technologies and practical skills required to work with this advanced equipment and materials.”
Another important aspect is that such products are now being manufactured by Ukrainian enterprises, with DKC Ukraine recognized as one of the industry leaders. This demonstrates the growing localization of high-tech manufacturing in Ukraine and highlights the role of domestic businesses in strengthening the country's energy resilience. Addressing the students who attended the opening ceremony, Ruslan Illiichov, Director General of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine—which represents approximately 8,000 industrial companies employing more than three million people—emphasized: “Most importantly, I hope that all of you will choose to stay and build your future here in Ukraine. Today, much is said about how to retain young people, encourage them to return home, and bring our fellow citizens back to the country. But there is only one real solution: to offer them meaningful, rewarding careers that inspire them to stay.
Laboratories like this and projects such as the one we are celebrating today send a powerful message: European-level companies are already operating in Ukraine, so there is no need to look abroad. DKC Ukraine is one such company. Its production facilities are on par with the most advanced enterprises anywhere in the world.”
Oleksandr Horbachev, CEO of DKC Ukraine, explained why the company invested significant effort and resources in establishing the new laboratory at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management. He began by reflecting on his own experience as a graduate of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, where he completed his studies in 1991. Although he received an excellent theoretical education at what was then still the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, he recalled that both he and his fellow graduates lacked practical engineering skills. They had to acquire this experience directly in the workplace, demonstrating the need to provide students with hands-on training while they are still at university. Horbachev also recalled the extremely poor standards of electrical installation that prevailed in Ukraine during the 1990s. As he explained, electrical wires were often simply twisted together, wrapped with insulating tape, and sealed inside walls, a practice that frequently resulted in fires. The company he now leads has invested considerable effort in changing this situation. It was only in the early 2000s that Ukraine began introducing modern State Building Codes and related technical regulations, making it essential for engineers to master contemporary installation technologies—especially young professionals entering the workforce. “When we began creating this laboratory, we understood that we were helping educate a new generation that would be familiar with technologies their parents either never encountered or first came across only in the early 2000s. You, however, will graduate from the university already equipped with practical knowledge in a profession that is in high demand. The industry is ready—and it is waiting for you,” he said.
The new laboratory occupies three interconnected rooms. One is designed for lectures and preparatory classes, the second allows students to study modern electrical equipment and its operation, while the third is dedicated to developing practical skills using professional tools and specialized equipment. The laboratory will provide hands-on training for students enrolled in two educational programmes: Electric Power Supply Systems and Energy Management and Energy-Efficient Technologies. Practical exercises will include the installation of switching and protective equipment; underground cable duct systems for electrical networks; lightning protection and grounding systems; concealed electrical wiring using corrugated conduits; and cable support systems using sheet-metal cable trays, wire mesh cable trays, and ladder cable trays, among others. In addition to instruction from university faculty, students will participate in master classes, workshops, and lectures delivered by practicing specialists from DKC Ukraine. Through this partnership, modern electrical installation technologies are being integrated directly into the educational process, significantly enhancing the quality of practical training while creating tangible employment opportunities for both bachelor's and master's graduates. Academic staff of the department will also have the opportunity to undertake professional internships at DKC Ukraine's production facilities. Furthermore, as Oleksandr Horbachev announced, the laboratory is expected to offer vocational training programmes leading to nationally recognized professional qualifications. These will include Electrical Installer for Lighting and Lighting Systems, Electrical Installer for Power Systems and Electrical Equipment, Electrical Equipment Fitter (general specialization), Electrical Installation Maintenance Technician, Secondary Circuit and Communication Systems Technician, Secondary Circuit Electrical Installer, and other related professions.
Following the official opening of the laboratory, Oleksandr Horbachev, CEO of DKC Ukraine, spoke with representatives of the university media. “For us, this is not a commercial project,” he emphasized. “We were the first company in Ukraine to systematically introduce modern electrical installation practices. Before that, there were no established standards or requirements—electricians simply ran wiring from the supply point to the point of use. For the past 25 years, we have been working to promote a culture of professional electrical installation, a concept that only emerged in Ukraine in the early 2000s. Our products comply with all European standards and, today, with Ukrainian electrical installation regulations as well. We are genuinely committed to developing this professional culture, even though it does not generate direct profit. We understand that every effort aimed at standardization and education is an investment in the future.”
Background
DKC Ukraine (part of the DKC Group) is one of Ukraine's leading manufacturers and suppliers of electrical engineering products. The company is part of the international DKC Group, founded in 1998, which is now among Europe's largest manufacturers of cable management systems, low-voltage equipment, and energy solutions. DKC has operated in Ukraine since 2000. Its core business includes the manufacture and supply of advanced dielectric cable management systems, metal and plastic cable trays, lightning protection and grounding systems, as well as switching and protective electrical equipment. The company's product portfolio comprises more than 35,000 components and accessories. DKC actively collaborates with leading higher education institutions, including Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (Department of Electric Power Supply), integrating modern technologies into the educational process and contributing to the training of highly qualified specialists for the electrical power industry.
Phoenix Contact is a leading German multinational company and one of the world's foremost providers of electrical engineering, industrial automation, and connection technology solutions. Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Blomberg, Germany, the company specializes in the development and manufacture of high-tech products for electrical connectivity, industrial automation, surge protection, interface technology, and energy efficiency solutions.
⚡️ Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has taken another step toward advancing modern engineering education with the opening of the R&D Laboratory "Installation and Operation of Electrical Equipment".
🤝 The new high-tech laboratory has been established at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management (IEE), within the Department of Power Supply, in cooperation with DKS UKRAINE PJSC—one of Ukraine’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of electrical engineering products—and with the support of the German company Phoenix Contact, which provided state-of-the-art electrical installation tools.
⚙️ Here, future electrical engineers will work with technologies and equipment already used in today’s industry. The laboratory combines education, engineering design, and hands-on practice, allowing students to complete the entire process—from developing a technical solution to implementing it.
📹 Discover the opportunities the new laboratory creates for students, faculty, and the university’s industry partners in the video.