152 students and 42 teams worked on practical tasks in the fields of communications, network technologies and energy. Among the guests of honor at the final ceremony were the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Ma Shenkun and the People's Deputy of Ukraine Oleksandr Fedienko.
152 students and 42 teams worked on practical tasks in the fields of communications, network technologies and energy. Among the guests of honor at the final ceremony were the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Ma Shenkun and the People's Deputy of Ukraine Oleksandr Fedienko.
On November 6, the final ceremony of the Student Tech Challenge 2026 , an all-Ukrainian engineering competition held by Huawei Ukraine for the third year in a row with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, took place in Kyiv. This year, 152 students from 18 higher education institutions joined forces in 42 teams to solve problems that are close to the real needs of telecommunications and energy infrastructure.
During the month, participants worked with Huawei Ukraine instructors and mentors in three areas: Radio Access Network Planning — planning and optimization of mobile radio networks; Datacom Engineering — design of data transmission networks; Digital Energy — solutions for energy efficiency and reliable energy supply. Practical tasks included assessing the quality of mobile coverage, developing fault-tolerant networks, and designing energy systems with solar generation and energy storage.
23 teams from 12 cities in Ukraine reached the final stage. On November 4–5, they presented and defended their projects in English before an independent expert jury. This format required students not only technical knowledge, but also the ability to justify decisions, work in a team, and answer professional questions.
Winners were determined in each of three areas:
The ceremony brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, parliament, the university community and the technology industry. Among the guests were the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Ukraine Ma Shenkun and the People's Deputy of Ukraine Oleksandr Fedienko. The event was also attended by rectors and heads of higher education institutions, teachers, mentors and students.
For Huawei Ukraine, supporting engineering education is part of the company's broader work in Ukraine. Its areas of focus are interconnected: the resilience of telecommunications networks, energy supply for households and businesses, and the training of specialists who will be able to develop the country's critical infrastructure.
"Since February 2022, Huawei Ukraine has continued to work with operators and partners, helping to maintain and restore connectivity and increase network resilience. For families, businesses, and vital services, working connectivity provides the opportunity to live and work in extremely challenging circumstances. We know how much depends on the engineers who ensure the operation of these systems, so we continue to invest in talent even in such difficult times," emphasized Ma Mingjie, CEO of Huawei Ukraine, during the ceremony.
In the education sector, the company helps provide internet connectivity in shelters for educational institutions, collaborates with universities, and offers paid internships and professional development opportunities for graduates. The Student Tech Challenge complements this work with the practical experience of the company's engineers.
"We organize the Student Tech Challenge to help students transform academic knowledge into solutions that work in practice. By bringing real-world engineering challenges into education, we aim to develop the professional potential in Ukraine necessary for its recovery and long-term development," said Ma Mingjie.
The importance of practical training was also noted by university partners. Anatoliy Melnychenko, Rector of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, emphasized the need to develop competencies in the areas of sustainable networks, communication quality, and digital energy. Viktor Greshta, Rector of the Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University, speaking about the challenges of a frontline city, emphasized: "Students should study the technologies with which they will work after graduating from university."
During the ceremony on November 6, the winners were awarded prizes from Huawei Ukraine. They also received an opportunity to undergo an internship at the company with the prospect of further employment. The results of the Student Tech Challenge go beyond the competition awards: practical skills, teamwork experience, and professional contacts will help young engineers join the development of Ukrainian infrastructure.
