Main challenges
of scientific sphere
Modern science issues
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Development of AI
The rapid development and relative accessibility of AI technologies for modern people, without control over their use in the educational and scientific process, provokes a gradual deterioration in the qualities of the intellectual potential of applicants and reduces their analytical skills, ability to think critically and conduct independent research
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Research bureaucratization
The formalization of the processes of preparing and publishing the results of applicants scientific research, combined with excessive regulation of the current scientists activities, leads to the vast majority of working time being spent not on your search for scientific ideas and their research, but on compliance with purely nomenclature regulations and procedures
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Communications and expertise
The difficulty young researchers face in communicating directly with business clients and experienced experts who have made significant contributions to the relevant field of science, as well as their lack of experience in publishing research findings in reputable academic journals, leads to a decline in the quality of the final product
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Armed aggression
The loss of human potential in Ukrainian science has been observed for a long time, but since the beginning of the war, the number of scientists who have left Ukraine has increased several times and now, according to a study by the scienceatrisk.org project, exceeds six thousand people, which in turn has significantly reduced the availability of quality expertise for applicants working in Ukraine.
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Insufficient funding for the industry
Historical analysis confirms that countries that quickly implement innovations created by scientists win, but according to svit.kpi.ua, in 2024 the relative science intensity of the country's GDP was 0.17%, which only provokes an increase in the shadow market of pseudo-scientific “services” under the slogans of free scientific and research activities
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Commercialization of results
The lack of experience and capacity to organize cross-border immersive events (VR, AR, and XR exhibitions, demonstrations, and presentations) aimed at commercializing their own scientific achievements significantly limits opportunities to motivate researchers and develop scientific institutions, regardless of their ownership structure, which negatively impacts the country’s overall image as an innovator
Methodology for transforming the scientific sphere
For this purpose, it is proposed:
Set of organizational and technological solutions
Development of a separate web interface for preliminary preparation of the text of the applicant's scientific publication and automated plagiarism checking of the results of his/her scientific search using open APIs of artificial intelligence tools Gemini, Smodin, ChatGPT and others
Implementation of a model for automated analysis and determination of requirements for the text of a publication with restrictions on the amount of material generated by AI
Development of a separate web interface for self-registration in the laboratory by the organizers of scientific conferences and scientific professional publications with a unified form of submission of text materials of abstracts and scientific articles of applicants for their further publication
Development of an immersive space for an international exhibition showcasing Ukrainian educational and research institutions vrlab.space® to attract prospective students from other countries as part of the implementation of innovative approaches to academic mobility
Development of a unified digital platform for collaboration among students, researchers, reviewers, organizers of scientific conferences and academic journals to facilitate the publication of research findings following peer review
Implementation of the AI preliminary review model, development of the Aspirantor® application to automate the process of searching and selecting a scientific mentor for an applicant in accordance with the specialty in the field of knowledge (science) in which the work is performed, based on the reviewer's publications indexed in the leading scientometric databases Google Scholar, Scopus, WoS, and others
Implementation an effective business model for the operation of a virtual scientific laboratory space based on our proprietary VR Bridge® concept, designed according to the principles of the sharing economy
Creating a transparent and competitive market for intellectual services by automating the processes of searching for and selecting scientific research projects for businesses, as well as by introducing an open rating mechanism that increases the level of trust between users of the virtual laboratory and ensures the quality of final products
Organizing and participating in international scientific, educational and cultural events to showcase the scientific achievements of VR Lab researchers and partners using VR, AR, and XR technologies, with the aim of promoting the commercialization of research results, engaging foreign stakeholders in joint scientific and practical activities and establishing sustainable cross-border communication
Promoting Ukrainian higher education institutions — partners of VR Lab, to an international audience of prospective students at international promotional events
Partners
Digital modules
A digital hub for collaborative work of students, researchers and mentors, providing access to expertise, feedback and support across all stages of the research process
⏳ MVP launch
Seeking funding sources and partners to further develop the software's functionality
Required resources: $36,500
An international VR exhibition showcasing the capabilities of Ukrainian HEI's and promoting student recruitment from around the world as part of innovative approaches to academic mobility
⏳ Concept developed
Sources of funding and partners for software development are being sought
Required resources: $50,000
An immersive mechanism for establishing sustainable international communication, hosting events and presenting research outputs with a strong sense of presence and deep immersion
⏳ Verification of research
Research results have been published and technical specifications are being developed for the creation of algorithms for the hardware-software module
Required resources: $5,000
A digital system for secure and transparent transactions among researchers, mentors, reviewers, businesses and investors, supporting efficient payments and collaboration
⏳ Concept developed
A conceptual model for the service has been developed and we are currently seeking financial partners in the banking sector
Resources required: $5,000
An AI app for plagiarism detection, preliminary peer review and preparation of academic texts for publication in accordance with contemporary scholarly standards
⏳ MVP in development
Seeking funding sources and partners to develop the software functionality
Resources required: $25,000
A digital marketplace for research outputs that connects businesses and researchers, enabling presentation, commercialization and transfer of solutions for practical implementation
⏳ Concept developed
Creation of technical specifications for the development of software and algorithms for the e-marketplace
Resources required: $5,000
Team
Serhii
VOROBIOV
VR Lab Chief Officer
Ph.D. in Public Administration, Associate Professor of the Department of Law and Public Administration,
ORCID: 0000-0002-2921-
9992
Volodymyr
MOROZ
VR Lab Partner in Ukraine
Ph.D. in Public Administration, Professor, Head of the Department of public administration and project management,
ORCID: 0000‐0003‐4306‐
3741
Larysa
LAZORENKO
VR Lab Partner in Ukraine
Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of management, marketing and public administration,
ORCID: 0000-0002-8505-
1768
Oliver
MHURIRO
VR Lab Partner in Africa
Junior Researcher, Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development, Youth Development Practitioner,
ORCID: 0009-0001-8242-
3810
Mentors
Taras KOZAK
President of Univer Investment Group PhD in Public Administration
Denys CHERNIKOV
Coordinator of the Parliamentary Expert Group on European Integration PhD in Public Administration