The Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection Technologies has achieved a significant milestone in expanding its international environmental horizons. Professor Alexander Kovrov of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection Technologies won the international technical assistance competition ‘BridgeUSA: Exchange Programme for Sustainability and Recovery in Ukraine’ (BridgeUSA). The programme is implemented with the support of the US Embassy in Ukraine, with additional funding from American host institutions, and is administered by the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.

Five finalists from Ukraine at the pre-orientation meeting

More than 400 applications from Ukrainian universities participated in the competition for this project, but our professor and Dnipro Polytechnic University as a whole were given preference in the selection process.

The programme will take place from 13 October to 13 November 2025 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Illinois, USA). The BridgeUSA programme promotes the development of relationships between Ukrainian and American teachers and researchers for the purpose of joint research, exchange of teaching experience, development of training courses, and publication of scientific works. The goal of the BridgeUSA programme is to help Ukrainian universities train specialists who are critically needed for the country's reconstruction and recovery by building strong and productive partnerships with US higher education institutions.

The first online meeting was an opportunity to meet the American mentor of the programme, Professor Prasanta Kalita, who will be the main contact person in the process of identifying potential areas of cooperation.

Overall, the project will help build new professional relationships with American teachers and researchers, and expand joint research on environmental land restoration in a global and regional context. Particular focus will be placed on studying case studies and best global practices for the restoration of land damaged by military operations and contaminated with heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Cr, Ni, Co) and toxic organic compounds.

This research area is ongoing in the biomining laboratory of the department.

In the laboratory of department Prof. Kovrov studies the impact of heavy metals on plants

Long-term contacts and the exchange of pedagogical experience will allow the creation of joint training courses and separate thematic online modules on the selection of optimal eco-technologies for phytoremediation of territories in accordance with the standards of sustainable development of territories.

The American Councils for International Education team and BridgeUSA project participants provide comprehensive support for establishing professional contacts between Ukrainian programme finalists and American colleagues.

Representatives of the American Councils for International Education and participants in the BridgeUSA project discuss internship opportunities in the United States

Overall, establishing professional contacts with American universities will create an academic and scientific foundation for training specialists and experts who are critically needed for the reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine.