National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy facts for kids
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Національний університет «Києво-Могилянська академія»
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| Latin: Academia Kiioviensis Mohileana | |
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Former names
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Kiev Brotherhood School (1615–1632) Collegium Kijovense Mohileanum (1632–1658) Academia Kiioviensis Mohileana (1658–1819) Kiev Theological Academy (1819–1918) National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" (from 1991) |
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| Motto | Tempus fugit, Academia sempiterna (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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Time passes but the Academy is eternal |
| Type | National |
| Established |
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| President | Serhiy Kvit |
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Academic staff
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180 |
| Students | c. 4000 |
| Location |
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50°27′52″N 30°31′11″E / 50.46444°N 30.51972°E |
| Campus | Urban, 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Colors | Blue & White |
| Affiliations | EUA |
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| University rankings | |
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| Regional – Overall | |
| QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia | 131 (2022) |
The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (often called NaUKMA or Mohylianka) is a top university in Kyiv, Ukraine. It's a national research university known for its history. The university teaches in both Ukrainian and English. Its diplomas are recognized around the world.
NaUKMA works with many international universities, like the European University Association. It's one of Ukraine's smaller universities, with about 4000 students. The university is named after the original Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, which started in 1615. That old academy was on the same land in the Podil neighborhood. The modern university began in 1991.
Students from the old Kyiv-Mohyla Academy were very important in Ukraine and Russia in the 1600s and 1700s. Famous alumni include hetman Ivan Mazepa and philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda. The university is known for its pro-Western ideas. It even served as a meeting place for activists during the Orange Revolution.
Contents
A Look at History: How the University Began
The First Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Today's National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy follows in the footsteps of the old Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. This was one of the oldest schools for Orthodox Christian countries in Eastern Europe. It first opened in 1615 as a school for the Kyiv bratstvo (a "brotherhood" group).
In 1632, two schools joined together: the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra school and the Kyiv Brotherhood School. This created Ukraine's first higher education school. The new school was called 'Mohylańska' in Polish. This name honored Petro Mohyla, who was key in starting the school. He wanted the academy to use modern Western education ideas.
In 1658, the school became an 'academy' through the Treaty of Hadiach. This made it similar to the Kraków Academy, a top university in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Later, Kyiv came under Russian rule in 1686. In 1694, the Moscow Tsardom also recognized the school as an academy. This was confirmed by Peter the Great. For many years, the academy educated important people in Russia and Ukraine. Students came from many countries, including modern-day Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Belarus.
The hetmans (military leaders of the Zaporozhian Cossacks) strongly supported the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. The school did very well when Hetman Ivan Mazepa, a former student, was in charge. It even helped start other colleges based on its model.
Many students from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy continued their studies abroad. This helped bring new ideas from the Renaissance to both Ukraine and Russia.
Changes and Closure: The Theological Academy
By the late 1700s, Kyiv was part of the Russian Empire. In 1817, Tsar Alexander I of Russia decided to close the academy. Former students asked him to make it a formal university, but he said no.
Instead, in 1819, the academy became the Kiev Theological Academy. This was a school only for church leaders. Only children of clergy could attend. Later, a new university was needed in Kyiv. But it wasn't the old academy reopened. Instead, the Saint Vladimir University was founded in 1834.
The Soviet Era: A Military School
After the October Revolution in 1917, the Soviet Union was formed. The government did not allow religion. So, the Kyiv Theological Academy was closed. Its library was emptied, and its main church was destroyed in 1935.
The old school buildings were then used for a new military school. This was the Kyiv Higher Naval Political School. It trained special political officers for the Soviet Navy. Today, one university building still has a mosaic showing a warship and quotes by Vladimir Lenin. When NaUKMA reopened in 1992, they decided to keep this mosaic. It reminds everyone of the site's past.
Rebirth: After Ukraine Became Independent
After the USSR broke apart in 1991, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was brought back to life. Vyacheslav Bryukhovetsky, a well-known Ukrainian academic, made this happen. He became the first president of the 'National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy' (NaUKMA).
This new university was the first in Ukraine to be like North American universities. It offered bachelor's and Master's degrees. Students earned academic credits for their courses.
On August 24, 1992, Ukraine's first independence anniversary, the first students started at NaUKMA. By June 1995, the first students graduated. Since then, NaUKMA has become known for its excellent academics. It is now one of Ukraine's top schools.
In 1994, NaUKMA helped bring back another important Ukrainian school, the Ostroh Academy. Today, Ostroh Academy works closely with NaUKMA.
NaUKMA became famous during the Orange Revolution in 2004. Its students and professors openly protested against election fraud. After these events, a museum about the Orange Revolution was opened at NaUKMA.
What Students Learn and Do
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Faculties of NaUKMA
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How NaUKMA Works
NaUKMA has the highest level of approval from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. It is set up like universities in North America. The school year has three terms: a long fall term, a long spring term, and a short summer term. The fall and spring terms include an extra week for students to study on their own. This helps them catch up or get ready for exams.
Undergraduate students choose a main subject, called a academic major. They can also pick a minor subject or other elective courses. Each course gives students a certain number of credits. Grades are given on a 100-point scale.
If you get a Bachelor's degree from NaUKMA, you can continue to study for a Master's degree there. NaUKMA also offers advanced degrees like Master of Business Administration, Candidate of Science (like a PhD), and Doctor of Science. It was the first university in Ukraine to change its doctoral programs to fit the Bologna process standards.
NaUKMA teaches in both Ukrainian and English, but Ukrainian is the main language. The university offers business courses in English with a Canadian college. It also has a summer school for international students to learn about Ukraine. There's even a Master's program in German and European studies, taught in German.
Students at NaUKMA get a small monthly scholarship from the government. The amount depends on their grades. Some private scholarships are also given to top students. Students can also get money for being active in social groups or promoting Ukrainian culture.
NaUKMA is a state university. It is managed by a Supervising Board chosen by the Government of Ukraine. The head of the university is the President of NaUKMA, Professor Serhiy M. Kvit.
Getting Into NaUKMA
Anyone can apply to NaUKMA, whether from Ukraine or another country. You get in based on your scores on entrance exams. These exams are multiple-choice tests. They cover subjects like Ukrainian, English, law, math, history of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, humanities, and natural science. The tests are graded by machine.
These entrance exams were started to make sure admissions are fair. They are known to be challenging. They cover more subjects than exams at most other Ukrainian universities. Testing knowledge of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy's history is special. It's because the university has played such an important role in Ukrainian history. The university also has a special department to help future students prepare for the tests.
How People See NaUKMA
NaUKMA is often ranked as one of the best universities in Ukraine. In 2009, Delovoy magazine said it was the second-best university in the country. It was strongest in humanities, third in economics, and second in law.
An independent ranking of 228 Ukrainian universities also placed NaUKMA second. This ranking looked at how well graduates were prepared for jobs. In 2007, the Ministry of Education and Science and a national newspaper both ranked NaUKMA third. Its business school is also considered the best in Ukraine.
NaUKMA is often visited by important politicians from Ukraine and other countries.
University Life and Traditions
Campus Life
The university is located on the same land as the old Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in the Podil neighborhood. This area stretches from Kontraktova Square to the Dnipro River. NaUKMA's campus has many buildings from its past. Some buildings are from the 1600s. These include the Halshka Hulevychivna house and the Mazepa building. The Mazepa building is named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa, who helped pay for it. It has a large hall for events and the research library.
The historical museum of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is also nearby. It has a sundial and the first building of the Kyiv Brotherhood School. Another old building, the bursa, was a student dormitory. The Blahovishchenska (Annunciation) Church, built in 1740 for students, is also on campus. Most other buildings were built later. Student dorms are outside the main campus.
NaUKMA also has a "Green Office." This office uses modern, energy-saving, and eco-friendly technologies. It was started by students and is the first of its kind in a Ukrainian university.
University Traditions
When NaUKMA reopened, it tried to bring back old traditions. But it also started new ones. Every year on October 15, the school celebrates Academy Day. Students wash the monument of the philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda, a famous former student. This is called clean Skovoroda.
During graduation, the Skovoroda monument is decorated with a mortarboard (a graduation cap). Another tradition is to carry the university turtle named Alma around the new graduates. They make wishes while touching her shell.
Students also perform theatrical shows called verteps. These shows might have been started by students of the old Academy. They are performed during special events.
Each school year starts with a welcome event for new students. A famous scientist gives a lecture and is given an honorary professorship. New students also take a traditional student oath. During their first term, students introduce themselves at an "acquaintance ball."
Student Activities
Even though NaUKMA has about 3000 students, there are many activities. NaUKMA students are known for being active. The university supports this. Some student groups include the Student Council, the Christian Students Union, and the Mohyla Intellectual Club.
Sports classes are required for students in their first two years. These include exercises, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and swimming. There are also many student sports groups, from Combat Hopak to Go.
For arts and music, there is the Center of Culture and Art and the Center for Contemporary Art.
Famous People from NaUKMA
Many important people in Ukrainian history studied at the old Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Many hetmans (political leaders of Ukraine in the 1600s and 1700s) went there. These include Ivan Mazepa, Pylyp Orlyk, and Ivan Samoylovych. The Grand Chancellor of Russia, Alexander Bezborodko, was also a student.
The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was an important religious school. Archbishops like Stephen Yavorsky and Feofan Prokopovich studied there.
Many writers, artists, and scholars also went to the Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Examples include writer Simeon of Polotsk and philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda. Mikhail Lomonosov, a Russian scientist who started Moscow University, also briefly studied there.
After 1819, when it became a religious school, it still had a good reputation. The Moldavian poet Alexei Mateevici and the Romanian Orthodox Church bishop Visarion Puiu studied there.
Today, graduates of NaUKMA work for companies, research centers, and governments. Many also continue their studies abroad. Famous recent alumni include journalist and politician Andriy Shevchenko and writer Myroslav Laiuk.
Images for kids
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The University Church of the Holy Spirit
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The Mazepa building houses the NaUKMA research library.
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