Vice Rector for International Relations, Andrii Shysholin, represented Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI) at the IREG 2024 international conference, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) altering Higher Education and Rankings.” The event took place on November 7–8 at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest, Romania.
The conference was officially opened by Waldemar Sivinski, President of the IREG Observatory, Ligia Deca, Romania’s Minister of Education, and Remus Pricopie, Rector of the host university. Their opening remarks set the stage for discussions among distinguished speakers, including university leaders and experts from Romania, Poland, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Indonesia, the UAE, USA, UK, Ukraine, Qatar, Uzbekistan, India, Kazakhstan, and Denmark.
Key Themes and Discussions
The conference explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and global research, with particular focus on its implications for university rankings. Topics included:
- The evolving role of AI in reshaping global education and research ecosystems.
- Leveraging AI to enhance university rankings and institutional strategies.
- Balancing national and international trends in higher education rankings.
- Universities’ alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Strategies for navigating rapid digitalization in academia.
Andrii Shysholin delivered a compelling presentation highlighting KPI as a model of resilience and innovation. He described how the university has remained operational and forward-thinking despite the challenges of war, showcasing its ability to thrive under pressure. KPI’s “anti-fragility” approach enables it to adapt and grow during crises, creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and society at large.
KPI: A Beacon of Resilience and Innovation
Andrii Shysholin emphasized KPI’s focus on balancing research, education, and service to the national community, underpinned by digitalization as a cornerstone of its strategic development. The university’s establishment of research centers during wartime exemplifies its commitment to progress even in adversity.
At a session on university rankings, Andrii Shysholin underscored their role as a strategic development tool. He highlighted KPI’s position among the Top 400 in the QS Engineering & Technology ranking and detailed key initiatives:
- Advancing research quality through international collaborations, such as the KATY project (AI in medicine) and MASTERLY (robotics).
- Promoting sustainable development by leveraging participation in the THE Impact Rankings to enhance visibility through projects aligned with UN SDGs.
- Digital transformation, including AI-driven process optimization for effective institutional management.
Spotlight on Strategic Research Planning
A significant highlight of the conference was a workshop by Elsevier, led by Vice President M’hamed el Aisati. The workshop introduced Elsevier’s “Six Steps to Strategic Research Planning,” a comprehensive framework for fostering institutional research excellence. It emphasized ownership, accountability, and monitoring as key elements for success.
Key discussion points included:
- The role of AI in scientific advancement—from automated article editing to enabling groundbreaking discoveries, including Nobel-level achievements.
- Balancing education and research—ensuring alignment with national priorities and global trends amidst rapid digitalization.
- Anti-fragility as a competitive advantage—exemplified by KPI’s ability to adapt, innovate, and lead during wartime through the establishment of strategic research centers.
Andrii Shysholin concluded the workshop by sharing KPI’s experience with scenario-based strategic planning, demonstrating how flexibility and innovation have enabled the university to thrive in unprecedented conditions.
A Catalyst for Transformation
The IREG 2024 conference underscored the growing significance of artificial intelligence, academic rankings, and strategic planning in shaping the future of higher education. For Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, the event reaffirmed its role as a trendsetter and leader in global academic discourse.
The conference concluded with the IREG General Assembly, where Waldemar Sivinski announced KPI’s elevation to full membership in the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence—a testament to its ongoing contributions to higher education innovation.
