source: https://www.th-wildau.de/thinsights/neuer-deutsch-ukrainischer-ki-studiengang

01-11.09.2025

From 01.09 to 11.09, with a support of the "Eastern Partnerships" program funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) ("DAAD Eastern Partnerships 2025-2027"), Dr. Maksym Yerokhin, Assist. Prof. of the Artificial Intelligence Department, was a guest at TH Wildau to work within the framework of Computer Science Modular Joint Study Programmes NURE-TH Wildau "CoSMoS-NT". During the visit, Dr. Yerokhin participated in the development of study and examination regulations regarding admission requirements and selection criteria for Ukrainian and German students.

13.08.2025

New German-Ukrainian AI degree programme: ‘Hope and inspiration’ in times of war

The TH Wildau and Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics will jointly offer a bachelor's degree in computer science with two AI specialisations. A future-oriented, European-focused degree programme is being created – while war rages in Ukraine. In an interview, project manager Alina Nechyporenko makes it clear: ‘The project is not only financial support, but also hope and inspiration for students and teachers.’

Ms Alina Nechyporenko, congratulations on the funding approval for CoSMoS-NT, a project to develop and implement a new German-Ukrainian degree programme. Please introduce yourself briefly and tell us what kind of degree programme this is.

CoSMoS-NT is a degree programme at the Kharkiv National University of Radio Elektroniks (NURE) in Ukraine and the TH Wildau with the title ‘Computer Science’. It comprises two specialisations: ‘AI for Life Science and Medicine’ and ‘Automation and AI’. I am the academic director and responsible for developing the Study and Examination Regulations, including the curriculum. I am also responsible for harmonising the admission criteria, accrediting the degree programme in Germany and assigning teaching duties. Later on, I will also be responsible for attracting partner companies in industry to cooperate with us.

Both degree programmes focus on artificial intelligence in their respective specialisations. Who are these degree programmes suitable for – what do you prepare students for?

Both specialisations of the Bachelor's degree programme in Computer Science are well suited for students with a background in STEM subjects who would like to work in the field of AI and smart solutions in the future. They offer excellent career opportunities and appeal to the diverse interests and skills of future graduates. For example, the specialisation ‘AI for Life Science and Medicine’ offers excellent employment opportunities in the application of AI and machine learning in healthcare, biotechnology and medical research, including interdisciplinarity that combines AI with biology, genomics, medical diagnostics, etc. Jobs could include AI researcher in healthcare, medical data scientist or bioinformatician. The specialisation in Automation and AI is suitable for students interested in robotics, intelligent systems, industrial automation and AI integration in manufacturing and production processes – here they could later work as robotics or automation engineers or, for example, data scientists in automation.

The degree programme is a so-called ‘joint programme’ – how does this differ from a ‘double degree programme’?

The main difference between a joint and a double degree programme is that a completely new study programme is created for both universities on a cooperative basis. The programme is coordinated, designed and structured by the partner universities, which means that the courses and content are closely aligned to create a consistent experience.

How will the degree programme be structured, and how many semesters will it take for German and Ukrainian students? How much time will students spend in the other country?

The programme has a modular structure, with core modules (25 per cent), subject modules (33 per cent) and specialisations (elective/compulsory modules, 25 per cent), an internship and a bachelor's thesis (17 per cent), based on the requirements of the F3 Computer Science programme, which is standardised in Ukraine. The degree programme comprises six semesters for German students and eight semesters for Ukrainian students. Depending on their study requirements, students spend about a quarter of their study time abroad. For example, Ukrainian students come to Germany in their final academic year for their industrial internship and bachelor's thesis.

How many students will be able to enrol in the degree programmes?

There are 25 places available per degree programme.

You hope that in the last two semesters, not only Ukrainian students will be able to come to Germany, but that there will also be mobility in the other direction – how could that work?

German students could improve their IT knowledge and skills at Ukrainian IT companies with which NURE cooperates and learn the Ukrainian language and traditions. However, this will only be possible once the war is over.

The degree programme has not yet been officially accredited – what steps have you already taken towards accreditation and when do you think it will officially start in Germany?

The first steps have already been taken. These include the submission and approval of the key issues paper on the development of the degree programme by the Faculty Board and the Executive Committee at TH Wildau. We are currently working with our Ukrainian colleagues to draft the Study and Examination Regulations, which will serve as the basis for accreditation. We plan to start the accreditation process in Germany at the end of September.

The first Ukrainian students will start the new degree programme in the winter semester 25/26. How will that work?

According to the project plan, the first Ukrainian students will begin their studies at NURE in the winter semester of 2025/26. Despite the war and the difficult situation in Kharkiv, the outlook for new students at NURE is very positive, as NURE is one of the leading institutions for training students in the IT sector in Ukraine.

The German school and university system differs from the Ukrainian system; for example, German students attend school for one or two years longer. What is the biggest challenge for you in developing the joint programme? Are there any obstacles?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge in developing a joint German-Ukrainian degree programme in this context is harmonising the admission criteria for the universities. Ukrainian students also need considerable support in finding internships, as students in Ukraine are usually sent by their faculty to do industrial internships and write their final theses.

During their year of attendance, students are required to complete an internship. What companies are you looking for and how do you support students in finding placements?

One of our tasks is to find internships for students. The search focuses primarily on companies in Brandenburg, including companies in the IT, healthcare, biotechnology, robotics and automation sectors.

Can you describe what it is like for you to be involved in this forward-looking project during the war in Ukraine? How do you find support – perhaps beyond the funding – and what is important?

In such a difficult time for the entire Ukrainian population, CoSMoS-NT is not only financial support, but also hope and inspiration for students and teachers. Despite constant rocket attacks, numerous drone attacks and sleepless nights, my colleagues and students continue to study. In addition, the project contributes to the integration of the higher education system into the European educational landscape and, as a pilot project for the development of a joint bachelor's degree programme, lays the foundation for future joint German-Ukrainian degree programmes.