From 21 to 25 September 2026, representatives of five Ukrainian partner universities participated in an international study visit to Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia, organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project “Green & Energy-Efficient Building Design for UA Renovation” (GreenBUILD).

The five-day programme combined academic workshops, laboratory visits, discussions with Estonian experts, and practical demonstrations of innovative technologies in sustainable construction, building energy efficiency, and digital engineering.

The study visit provided an important opportunity for Ukrainian academic staff to explore European approaches to engineering education and gain practical knowledge relevant to the development of the new GreenBUILD Master’s programme.

Strengthening academic cooperation and curriculum development

The programme began with a welcome session at TalTech and presentations by representatives of the School of Engineering, including Prof. Hendrik Voll, Vice-Rector for Endowment and Student Development, Prof. Ivar Annus, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Simo Ilomets, Senior Lecturer and Programme Director.

The Ukrainian delegation included representatives of:

• Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University;

• O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv;

• Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture;

• Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies;

• Vinnytsia National Technical University.

During the opening sessions, participants presented their existing civil engineering educational programmes and exchanged experiences with TalTech colleagues regarding Master’s-level education, curriculum structure, and approaches to developing professional competencies in sustainable construction.

Practical workshops on GreenBUILD courses

A central component of the study visit was a series of specialised workshops dedicated to three courses being developed within the GreenBUILD project:

• Course 3 – Sustainable Development in Construction Design: exploring sustainability principles and their integration into building design and construction practices.

• Course 7 – Daylighting and Lighting Engineering: examining approaches to daylight utilisation, lighting engineering, and the improvement of indoor environmental quality.

• Course 6 – Ventilation Technology and Indoor Air Quality in Buildings: focusing on ventilation systems, indoor air quality, and their role in building energy performance.

These workshops supported knowledge exchange between European and Ukrainian academic staff and provided valuable input for developing modern teaching materials and integrating practical European experience into the GreenBUILD curriculum.

Exploring advanced laboratories and digital technologies

The delegation visited several specialised research and educational facilities at TalTech, including the Building Physics and Indoor Climate Laboratory and the Laboratory of Structural Engineering.

Participants also explored the Research Centre of Smart Industry and Robotics, where they were introduced to advanced technologies such as industrial automation, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, digital modelling, and robotic systems.

A visit to the Autonomous Vehicles Laboratory provided further insights into the application of innovative engineering technologies and their potential for interdisciplinary education and research.

These visits demonstrated how modern laboratory infrastructure and digital tools can strengthen practice-oriented engineering education and support the development of new professional competencies.

Learning from real-world renovation practices

An important part of the programme was dedicated to practical solutions for energy-efficient building renovation.

Participants explored prefabricated renovation pilot projects in Tallinn, providing an opportunity to learn about innovative approaches to the modernisation of existing buildings.

The delegation also visited ETS Nord, a ventilation technology manufacturer, to become acquainted with industrial approaches to ventilation systems and their applications in modern buildings.

The combination of academic workshops, laboratory demonstrations, and industry visits helped connect theoretical knowledge with real-world engineering solutions.

Contributing to GreenBUILD objectives

The study visit to TalTech represented another important step towards achieving the objectives of GreenBUILD, particularly the modernisation of engineering education in Ukraine and the development of a new Master’s programme focused on sustainable and energy-efficient building design.

The knowledge and experience gained during the visit will support Ukrainian partner universities in developing teaching materials, incorporating innovative technologies into educational activities, and strengthening cooperation with European academic and industry partners.

By connecting European expertise with the needs of Ukraine’s construction sector, GreenBUILD contributes to preparing a new generation of professionals capable of supporting the country’s sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient reconstruction.