Master classes by leading scientists within the SOMMER project!

Uzhhorod National University together with Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, V.E. Lashkarev Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany) is a participant in the international scientific and educational project "Stable Optical Materials and Methods: Education and Research Infrastructure (SOMMER!)" with the support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which is implemented in 2024–2027.

The project envisages a number of activities aimed at students and postgraduates acquiring professional knowledge, based not only on lectures and practical classes under the guidance of professors and teaching staff of their universities, but also on the opportunities provided by mobility and the exchange of ideas, knowledge and technologies with specialists from partner and other scientific and educational institutions. In particular, among the activities provided for by the project, master classes are planned on current problems of physics and technology of nanosystems and optical materials, methods of their diagnosis and the latest areas of application by scientists of the institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

As part of the project "SOMMER!" in the fall of 2025 for students, graduate students and teachers of the Department of Optics of UzhNU with the assistance of the head of the department, Associate Professor P.P. Guranich master classes were conducted by scientists of the Department of Materials for Functional Electronics of the Institute of Electronic Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in particular, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Yu.M. Azhniuk, who worked for many years as a guest researcher at the Chemnitz Technical University, and candidates of physical and mathematical sciences I.M. Voinarovych and V.M. Kryshenyk Yu.M. Azhniuk held master classes in the form of lectures on the topics "Physical characteristics and diagnostics of nanomaterials" and "Raman spectroscopy of crystalline and amorphous materials and nanostructures". A practical introduction to the technique of micro-Raman spectroscopy based on the center for collective use of scientific equipment "Laboratory of experimental and applied physics" named after Ihor Studenyak is also planned. V.M. In his lecture, Kryshenyk familiarized the audience with the basics of direct optical recording of surface relief structures in non-crystalline semiconductors. I.M. Vojnarovych held a lecture on the topic "Thin-film structures: technology and photo-thermostimulated recording of topological structures" and in practice familiarized the students with the features of the technology of obtaining thin-film structures by the method of thermal and discrete thermal sputtering. During the master classes, the scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine managed to interest the listeners, raise questions and active discussions.

Summarizing the series of master classes, the head of the Department of Optics, associate professor P.P. Guranich emphasized their importance for students. Such events, according to him, help to understand the current trends in the development of materials science, modern scientific tools and methods of research and synthesis of new materials for functional electronics. They form in students a holistic vision of prospects and trends in the development of modern science and technology. P.P. Guranich also drew attention to other opportunities that involve mobility and exchange of knowledge and experience within the project, performance of qualification work in partner institutions on modern equipment and emphasized that similar master classes, as well as other events within the framework of this educational and scientific cooperation, will also be held during the next two academic years in accordance with the tasks set by the project.

Communication manager of the "SOMMER!" project                                

Tatyana BABUKA

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