«Department of Computer Engineering and Programming»: Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Department

The year 2026 marks a significant anniversary for the Department of Computer Engineering and Programming (CEP) of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Computer Science and Information Technologies of the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute” (NTU “KhPI”). In 1960, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Ukrainian SSR recognized the need to train specialists in measuring and computing technology. In 1961, the first department in Ukraine specializing in this field, “Mathematical and Computing Instruments and Devices” (MCID), was established at the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute (KhPI, now NTU “KhPI”). Over time, the department was renamed “Electronic Computing Machines” (ECM) and later “Computer Engineering and Programming” (CEP). Since 2021, it has been known as the Department of Computer Engineering and Programming (Computer Engineering and Programming, CEP).

The MCID Department was established on the basis of the Department of Electrical Apparatus Engineering (founded in 1931). Its organizer and first head was Borys Fedorovych Vashura, an outstanding expert in electrical engineering and founder of the Ukrainian scientific school “Theory and Practice of Electrical Apparatus Engineering.” Professor Vashura played a crucial role in organizing the new department. The new disciplines in the theory and practice of electrical control and regulation devices developed by him became the foundation for training electrical apparatus engineers in Ukraine.

The first head of the MCID Department was Professor Viktor Heorhiiovych Vasyliev (1961–1962 and 1965–1974), a distinguished scientist, educator, and student of B. F. Vashura. He established at KhPI a scientific school focused on modeling and control of complex technical systems and worked extensively in the field of automatic control theory. The activities of the new department were aimed at the development of computer engineering and programming. Under the supervision of Professor V. H. Vasyliev, students Kalashnikov, Simelianskyi, and Shpilberg, who later became members of the department staff, created the first analog computer at KhPI, one of the first such machines in Kharkiv.

The second Head of the MCID Department was Vitalii Arkadiiovych Zverev (1962–1964). The third was Felix Arkadiiovych Domnin (1974–2014), followed by Serhii Hennadiiovych Semenov, who headed the department from 2014 to 2021. The further development of the department’s scientific research is associated with the activities of Academician Viacheslav Petrov, Corresponding Member Viktor Yevdokymov, and Professors Valerii Kravets and Oleksandr Zakovorotnyi. Since 2022, the department has been headed by Oleksandr Yuriiovych Zakovorotnyi, Professor, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Full Member of the Academy of Engineering Sciences of Ukraine, Full Member of the Academy of Applied Radio Electronics (Kharkiv), Laureate of the Borys Paton National Prize of Ukraine (2024), and recipient of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine award “For Scientific and Educational Achievements” (2026).

Over its 65-year history, the department has developed new strategies and innovative objectives based on its historical heritage and the achievements of outstanding scientists and educators. The department’s research laboratories have produced numerous developments, including a multichannel analog-to-digital converter, electrical signal indicators, analog-digital simulation systems, graphical computer displays, graphic input tablets, weld-quality inspection devices, mathematical models of machine complexes, and many other innovations.

In the early 1970s, under the leadership of Professor F. A. Domnin, a Computer Medical Systems Laboratory was established at the department. Fourth-year students A. I. Povorozniuk (now a professor in the department) and V. N. Berlizov were among its first researchers. The department also developed mathematical models of the human cardiovascular system and one of the first prototypes of an artificial heart in the USSR. During the 1980s, the department created automated systems for processing quasi-periodic physiological signals (ECG, rheograms, etc.) for many healthcare institutions in Kharkiv.

Today, CEP trains highly qualified IT specialists who develop software, artificial intelligence systems, mobile applications, web services, computer games, robotic systems, and advanced computer technologies. The department provides education within the field of knowledge 12 “Information Technologies”, specialty F7/123 “Computer Engineering”, through the following educational programmes: «Modern Programming, Mobile Devices and Computer Games» and «Applied Computer Engineering». Students can pursue accredited degrees at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels.

PhD candidates and doctoral students defend dissertations in the department’s research areas: modeling and control of complex technical systems (supervisor: V. D. Dmytriienko); intelligent decision-support systems for diagnostics, control, and optimization of technical and biomedical objects (supervisor: A. I. Povorozniuk); methods of information processing and protection in computer systems (supervisor: H. A. Kuchuk). The department’s modern laboratory facilities were established in cooperation with EPAM, NIX Solutions, and GLOBALLOGIC Ukraine and are equipped with modern hardware and software. The academic staff consists of 42 lecturers, including 10 Doctors of Technical Sciences and 23 Candidates of Technical Sciences and PhD holders. Industry professionals from leading IT companies are also involved in teaching.

Students of the department regularly participate in the annual IT-Universe International Student Olympiad in Information Technology. According to the results of IT-Universe 2023, NTU “KhPI” took first place in the overall university ranking among participating higher education institutions. Yehor Chelak, a CEP student, became the winner of the Linux Administration competition final. At IT-Universe 2026, CEP students won three prizes in the Web Services Development and Mobile Application Development competitions and in the individual Linux Cloud Innovators contest. The students’ academic supervisor was Senior Lecturer Serhii Mezheritskyi (now deceased).

Professor Svitlana Yuriiivna Havrylenko, Doctor of Technical Sciences and a faculty member of the CEP Department, participated in the International Round Table “Women in Engineering: Global Opportunities and Professional Communities”, held at NTU “KhPI” in June 2026. In her presentation, she highlighted the role of international conferences, academic mobility, research projects, and professional communities in the professional development of scientists and engineers. The event served as a platform for discussing professional growth opportunities for women in STEM.

NTU “KhPI” won the Grand Prix at the UCUP-2026 University Programming Cup. More than 100 participants from six leading universities of Kharkiv competed in the student IT tournament. NTU “KhPI” was represented by 26 students from the Departments of Computer Engineering and Programming, Computer Mathematics and Data Analysis, and Cybersecurity of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Computer Science and Information Technologies. The KhPI team finished more than 200 points ahead of its nearest competitors, securing first place and the title of Best University at UCUP-2026.

The department annually hosts a number of international scientific and technical conferences: «Information Technologies: Science, Engineering, Technology, Education, Health (MicroCAD), including: Section 15: Application of Computer Technologies for Solving Scientific and Social Problems in Medicine and Section 21: Computer Science and Modeling; «Problems of Informatics and Modeling (PIM); «Informatics, Control and Artificial Intelligence (ICAI); «IEEE KhPI Week on Advanced Technology» section 6: Computer Science. Proceedings of the MicroCAD and PIM conferences are published annually in the scientific collection Bulletin of NTU “KhPI”, Thematic Issue: Informatics and Modeling. Since 2017, the department has published the scientific and technical journal Modern Information Systems, which features research results on the development and operation of modern information systems across various application domains.

For 65 years, the department has been training specialists in computer engineering and programming. More than 6,000 specialists have graduated from the department, including over 1,000 specialists from 55 countries worldwide. During this period, the department’s researchers have published more than 4,000 scientific and methodological works.

The staff of the Scientific and Technical Library of NTU “KhPI” sincerely congratulates the Department of Computer Engineering and Programming on its 65th anniversary. We wish the department continued prosperity, fruitful achievements in education and science, ambitious projects, outstanding scientific and educational accomplishments, and grateful students. We also wish all faculty and staff good health, peace, harmony, endless creative inspiration, happiness, and well-being. May the department’s history continue to be enriched with new achievements, memorable milestones, and new victories.

We invite faculty members, students, and everyone interested to visit the book exhibition dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Department of Computer Engineering and Programming at the Scientific and Technical Library of NTU “KhPI” (Room 66).

More information about the department can be found on the website of the Department of Computer Engineering and Programming