Distinguished University and Charles T. and Ruth M. Bach Professor Yury Gogotsi was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Gogotsi is the highest cited scientist of Ukrainian descent and received his BS/MS degree from the institute in 1984 and his PhD in 1986. He was awarded the honorary doctorate by vote of the University Senate (Scientific Council). Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is the largest technical university in Ukraine.
Prior to the ceremony, Gogotsi delivered a lecture to high school students from the Kiev Region Junior Academy interested in studying materials science and a seminar to students and faculty at the institute. After the ceremony, Gogotsi conducted a live 20 minute interview on the main channel of Ukrainian TV in prime time to discuss science and brain drain from Ukraine.