On 11 December 2025, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University hosted RoboGoal Cup, an engineering and sports competition where students played football using robotic platforms.
The event was organised by the Faculty of Computer-Integrated Technologies, Mechatronics and Robotics and the Innovation Hub of Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, with the Center for Conversion and Professional Adaptation (CCPA) acting as a co-organising partner. The competition was held with the support of BGV Group Management.
RoboGoal Cup created a new format for engaging students in engineering, robotics and applied technical creativity. Instead of a traditional hackathon or lecture-based event, participants competed in controlling robotic platforms on a football field, combining technical skills, teamwork, strategy and fast decision-making.
According to Andrii Tkachuk, Dean of the Faculty of Computer-Integrated Technologies, Mechatronics and Robotics, the idea was to offer students a new and dynamic engineering format:
“Today’s competition is called RoboGoal Cup and is held with the support of our sponsor, BGV Group Management. Last year, we organised a hardware hackathon at the faculty, also with BGV’s support. This year, we decided to do something new — something that would be interesting for students.”
The competition brought together eight registered teams. Each team consisted of three participants who took on the roles of goalkeeper, midfielder and forward. Matches were organised in short dynamic rounds: two-minute halves with a 30-second break between them.
The format required participants not only to understand the technical logic of robotic platforms, but also to demonstrate coordination, reaction speed and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
Viktor Yevdokymov, Rector of Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, emphasised that such events are an important investment in young engineers and future technological capacity:
“The key partner of this event is BGV Group Management. We are grateful to Hennadii Butkevych, Chairman of the University Supervisory Board, for understanding how important it is to support young people. When such tournaments are organised and resources are provided to motivate students, this is not charity — this is an investment in the future. These are young talented engineers, robotics specialists, developers of robotic platforms and professionals in other engineering fields that are extremely important for Ukraine today.”
The strongest teams received awards and prizes connected with the merchandise of the FC Polissya football club, including T-shirts, scarves, notebooks and hoodies.
For CCPA, participation in RoboGoal Cup reflects its broader commitment to supporting youth innovation, engineering education and the development of practical formats where students can test their skills beyond the classroom. Events of this kind help connect technical education with real-world teamwork, creativity and applied problem-solving.
RoboGoal Cup also strengthened the university’s innovation ecosystem by bringing together students, faculty, institutional partners and business support around a shared goal: creating more opportunities for young people to develop as engineers, innovators and future technology leaders.
