Kseniia Verhal, Deputy Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Information Technology and Robotics at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, participated in the international professional exchange program Open World, held on September 18–26, 2026, in the United States. One of the days of the Ukrainian delegation's stay in Rochester, New York, was dedicated entirely to examining the operations of local government authorities, regional economic development entities, and the business community.
The Open World program, administered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), fosters professional dialogue among representatives of diverse nations, the exchange of governance expertise, and the establishment of long-term partnerships. The focus area of the Ukrainian delegation’s visit – “Dual-Use Innovations and U.S.–Ukraine Technological Cooperation” – entailed examining American practices in supporting innovation, advancing technological entrepreneurship, and facilitating interaction among government, education, and business.
The extensive working program commenced with a meeting at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, which represents the interests of local businesses and fosters entrepreneurship. During discussions with members of the business community, the delegates explored approaches to enterprise support, investor outreach, technology commercialization, and the advancement of international economic cooperation. The discussions engaged representatives from diverse sectors, including information technology, investment, agritech, biotechnology, public administration, and veterans’ affairs programs.
Special attention was given to how business associations assist companies in establishing commercial ties, identifying growth opportunities, and accessing new markets. For the Ukrainian participants, this provided an opportunity to examine practical mechanisms facilitating the translation of innovative concepts into commercial products, as well as to deliberate on prospects for Ukrainian-American cooperation in technology and entrepreneurship.
The next venue was Rochester City Hall, where the Ukrainian delegation was welcomed by Mayor Malik Evans. Alongside Erik Frisch, Commissioner of the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, city officials familiarized the participants with Rochester’s strategies for economic development. The department’s scope of activities encompasses entrepreneurial support, job creation, commercial corridor revitalization, investment attraction, and the enhancement of residents' quality of life.
The meeting provided insights into how the local administration aligns economic priorities with urban development and community needs. In addition, Michael Leach outlined the activities of Rochester's Sister Cities program and the municipality's international cooperation efforts. This subject is of particular significance to Poltava: the American town of Irondequoit, adjacent to Rochester, has been Poltava’s sister city since 1993. These ties have served as the foundation for longstanding bilateral collaboration, notably in cultural and humanitarian spheres.
During a meeting with the Monroe County administration, the delegation became acquainted with regional instruments for business support and investment attraction. The event was attended by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Director of the County Department of Planning and Development Ana Liss. County officials shared insights into the operations of entities that assist enterprises in scaling, creating employment opportunities, and executing investment projects, notably the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation (MCIDC) and the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA).
Among the regional development mechanisms are tax incentives and abatements, credit programs, enterprise support instruments, and human capital development initiatives. In addition, the delegation was introduced to the work of the Monroe County Finger Lakes APEX Accelerator, which assists businesses in qualifying for U.S. government procurement and securing government contracts. Such experience highlights the vital importance of systemic support for business development – ranging from advisory services and access to capital to expansion into new sales markets.
A distinct component of the agenda encompassed meetings with representatives of the offices of New York State Senator Samra Brouk, New York State Assembly member Sarah Clark, and U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle. These meetings afforded an avenue for professional dialogue on the role of state and federal institutions in supporting local initiatives, expanding international partnerships, and cultivating an environment conducive to innovative project implementation.
An integral element of the program was gaining insight into Monroe County's innovation ecosystem. Rochester has historically evolved as a center for photographic, optical, and imaging technologies, being the cradle of companies such as Kodak and Xerox. Today, this industrial legacy continues to advance across optics, photonics, biotechnology, telecommunications, digital imaging, and advanced manufacturing. The region is distinguished by the synergy among tech enterprises, research institutions, and governmental agencies, aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth.
The comprehensive program of the visit vividly demonstrated the concerted functioning of the multi-tiered U.S. economic development ecosystem: from business associations acting as catalysts for entrepreneurial growth to municipal and county authorities instituting effective financial incentives, attracting capital, and creating jobs. Amidst the challenges of war and the imperative of postwar recovery, such an integrated approach is exceptionally valuable for Ukrainian communities, as it combines strengthening local economic resilience, developing dual-use technologies, and cultivating a favorable landscape for high-tech investments.
“Participating in a prestigious exchange program such as Open World and representing Ukrainian higher education and science before the New York State government, Rochester City Hall, and leading American corporate stakeholders is the direct outcome of our university’s systemic institutional strategy.
I express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to the President of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, Professor Volodymyr Onyshchenko, for his visionary leadership, boundless energy, and long-standing dedication to excellence. It is thanks to the solid foundation he established that Poltava Polytechnic has emerged as a beacon of international collaboration, transforming the synergy paradigm of 'education – science – business – government' from a concept into effective daily practice. His trust, continuous encouragement of bold innovations, and unwavering commitment to global engagement provide a tremendous impetus to advance, even in the most challenging times.
I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Rector of Poltava Polytechnic, Associate Professor Olena Filonych, for her comprehensive support, dedicated focus on empowering young researchers and academic leaders, and commitment to creating an environment where innovative concepts are brought to fruition. Your coordination, high academic standards, and emphasis on the continuous professional advancement of our faculty allow us to represent Poltava and Ukraine with distinction across transatlantic platforms.
I am confident that the connections established in Rochester – along with the acquired expertise in technology transfer, artificial intelligence, robotics, and dual-use innovations – will make a substantial contribution to the further development of our Institute of Information Technology and Robotics, enhance our academic curricula, and support Ukraine’s high-tech recovery and resilience”, – emphasized Kseniia Verhal.
It is worth noting that within the framework of this same Open World program, the Deputy Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Information Technology and Robotics, Kseniia Verhal, explored the academic dimension of the U.S. innovation ecosystem – cutting-edge expertise in research commercialization, artificial intelligence and autonomous robotics research, and the operation of university incubators during visits to Rochester’s leading higher education institutions: Nazareth University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the University of Rochester.
Anna Pavelieva, International Relations Coordinator at Poltava Polytechnic, Candidate of Philological Sciences, and Associate Professor, previously participated successfully in the Open World program. In January–February 2024, she passed a competitive selection process. She represented the university as part of a Ukrainian delegation focusing on “Higher Education and the Impact of War” during a visit to Washington, D.C., and the state of Florida.
In Washington, D.C., the participants visited the Library of Congress. They met with officials from government agencies, think tanks, and non-governmental organisations to discuss countering disinformation, international support, postwar reconstruction, and education's role in strengthening societal resilience. During their stay in Florida, the delegation examined three distinct types of institutions: student-centred learning and community engagement at Florida Gulf Coast University; laboratory infrastructure and aerospace research-industry integration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and flexible educational pathways for veterans and adult learners at Everglades University. Homestays with host families in Babcock Ranch and Punta Gorda further enriched the visit through firsthand exposure to civic engagement, sustainable development, energy efficiency, and local grassroots initiatives supporting Ukraine.
For more details on the previous visit and colleagues’ insights, refer to the following feature stories:
• Professional program in Washington, D.C.
• The experience of Florida Gulf Coast University
• The experience of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• The experience of Everglades University
• American higher education and the local community experience
