Karazin University Hosts a Lecture as Part of the 5th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen

On September 10, 2025, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University joined the events of the 5th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, an international platform of soft power and dialogue initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

This year's Summit theme, "Education Shapes the World," includes four subtopics and features several formats, from high-level ministerial discussions to public debates and cultural events. As part of this initiative, world-renowned intellectuals and Nobel laureates are giving lectures at leading Ukrainian universities. Their goal is to move the discussion beyond official halls and engage young students, in whose hands lies the future of science, education, and leadership.

As part of the Summit, the university hosted a lecture by Iryna Lysova, a researcher from the University of Strasbourg and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). The topic was "3D Biomanufacturing and Biomaterials: The Future of Personalized Regenerative Medicine."

It is significant that this lecture was held at Karazin University, as the institution served as a platform for discussing technology and innovation — one of the key areas of the 5th Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. According to the Summit's philosophy, education not only shapes a person's worldview but also models the future of society: what we study and what we teach determines what tomorrow's world will be like — peaceful or conflict-ridden, innovative or stagnant. Iryna Lysova's lecture was a practical embodiment of this idea, showing how scientific progress in bioengineering and biotechnology can serve humanity, form global values, and promote sustainable development instead of creating new threats.

The event attracted a wide academic and scientific audience. The lecturer presented modern approaches to bioengineering and biotechnologies, including the possibilities of 3D biomanufacturing and bioprinting for creating implants, artificial tissues, and organoids. Special attention was paid to the use of biomaterials in regenerative medicine, dentistry, cardiac surgery, and the testing of new drugs, as well as the responsible application of modern technologies to support human well-being and social progress.

An important outcome of the meeting was the outlining of new directions for cooperation between Karazin University and its French colleagues, with whom the university has a cooperation agreement. New prospects are opened by the launch of the REGENHU R-GEN 200 robotic bioprinter at Karazin University — the first device of its kind in Eastern Europe. Its capabilities allow the university to conduct research and training at a global level and implement projects in bioengineering and biotechnologies.

The meeting became a platform for open dialogue: students and scientists had the opportunity to ask questions, discuss the challenges and opportunities of new technologies, and reflect on how science can change regions and the country as a whole.

We express our sincere gratitude to the event's co-organizers: the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Presidential Fund of Ukraine to Support Education, Science, and Sports, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine, and the public union "Osvitoria."