Dual Master's Programme at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic University

ITU Member Melexis has launched a dual master’s education program at KPI named after Igor Sikorsky. This series of courses prepares students for professional work in the field of microelectronics, analog and mixed IC design, and also provides a foundation for further scientific research in the respective field.

 

The dual master’s program at KPI named after Igor Sikorsky, launched by ITU Member Melexis, prepares students for professional careers in microelectronics, analogue and mixed IC design, and lays the foundation for further scientific research in the field.

   

The goal of dual education is to implement a student-centered approach focused on meeting students’ expectations for successful professional careers, providing them with modern practical knowledge, skills, and teamwork capabilities in real workplaces and production environments. This system aims to enhance graduates’ readiness, ease, and speed of transition from education to employment, as well as improve their overall competitiveness in the job market.

 

The “Melexis Academy” dual education program focuses on developing deep knowledge and practical skills in modern analog circuit design. Students progressively master the fundamentals of building analog integrated circuits, the operation of basic components, modeling and analysis methods, and the design practices of complex analog blocks using the Cadence software environment.

 

Previously, internships were conducted with laboratory visits twice a week in the evenings to accommodate students’ schedules. Starting from September, the internship transitioned to using the modern Cadence design system throughout the academic year. During the pandemic and the full-scale invasion, the format was changed to remote learning. Students were able to apply theoretical knowledge from courses such as “Analog Electronics”, “Solid-State Electronics”, and others. During the internship, participants created blocks of analog integrated circuits in Cadence Virtuoso, improved their skills in circuit design, and worked with cutting-edge measurement equipment. The company also sponsored students with named scholarships and provided technical equipment.

 

The curriculum includes both classic solutions (MOS transistors, operational amplifiers, current sources, comparators) and specialised topics related to high-precision, low-noise, and energy-efficient circuits. Courses cover the entire process of creating an analog integrated circuit — from concept to verification — and also describe the specifics of using ICs in the design of real devices.

 

The programme will offer 10 spots. The company will conduct technical interviews and select the 4 most talented and motivated students who will receive named scholarships from the company. The dual program consists of three academic courses:

 

• Semester 1 — “Introduction to Analog Integrated Circuit Design”;
• Semester 2 — “Analog Integrated Circuit Design” and “Special Issues in Analog Circuit Design”;
• Internship and completion of the master’s thesis.

 

The company’s involvement in dual education is not just an investment in youth but a long-term step toward the future. It is an opportunity to grow specialists “from scratch,” gradually and purposefully shaping their professional worldview, technical competency, and understanding of the company’s values.

 

Criteria for admission to the programme:

 

• First, students must pass the external independent evaluation (EVI), complete a professional exam in one or several educational programs of the specialty G5 “Electronics, Electronic Communications, Instrumentation, and Radio Engineering” at KPI, and submit an application for the educational program(s), ideally with first priority.
• Thus, the “Melexis Academy” dual education program is open to all master’s students who have entered the educational programs of specialty G5 “Electronics, Electronic Communications, Instrumentation, and Radio Engineering” at KPI. Due to the limited number of spots, admission to the dual program is based on entrance testing and an interview assessing students’ knowledge of analog circuit design. The most talented students will be awarded scholarships based on the selection results. After being admitted to the dual education program, a tripartite agreement between the company, the student, and the university is signed, officially confirming enrollment in the “Melexis Academy” program.

 

Looking at this from the perspective of addressing the challenges of Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery, satisfying the demand for highly qualified specialists with in-demand skills, and the prospects for Ukraine’s integration into the EU, dual education in the European Union is one of the drivers of digital and “green” transformation.

   

Moreover, the company has the opportunity to identify capable, motivated, and promising students during their studies, engage them in projects, and offer development opportunities. This is not just cost-saving on recruitment and training but an investment in human capital that always yields returns.

 

Thus, dual education is a mutually beneficial partnership: students gain real-world experience and better career prospects, universities receive feedback and updated curricula, and companies get motivated, prepared and loyal specialists who are ready to deliver results from day one.

   

Melexis has been and continues to be actively involved in STEM activities, engaging young talents in cooperation and education. Student internships in the scientific-educational laboratory have been in place since 2007.