National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Recognized as Research University

On July 29, 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine officially named the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy as a Research University.  This official status opens new perspectives for the University.  There are many aspects and advantages to this recognition.  One of the immediate results is that it reinforces the university’s academic autonomy in its academic, financial and personnel decisions.

An example is the situation which arises from the fact that Ukraine does not recognize foreign academic degrees, including Ph.D. degrees from other countries.  Such a state of affairs creates awkward positions for many academics with advanced degrees from the some of the best universities in the world.  Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has welcomed highly trained academics with international degrees on its faculty for years.  For example, the Dean of Kyiv-Mohyla Law School Andriy Meleshevych holds a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, the Director of the Ph.D. Program Mykhailo Vynnytskyj holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, the Deputy Director of the Ph.D. Program Tetiana Oharkova, a NaUKMA graduate, holds a Ph.D. from Paris Sorbonne University, faculty member Vitaliy Nesterenko holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, and faculty member and the new chairman of the Department of Political Science Serhiy Kudelia, holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University.  According to Ukrainian law on education, they are precluded from holding the title of professor.  This is an example of one of many reasons why universities in Ukraine need more autonomy and rights, so that such academic decisions become the function of universities which need effectiveness, equity, and international recognition.   

In spite of the bureaucratic constraints, NaUKMA has functioned as an autonomous university from its inception, successfully establishing innovative programs, anonymous admissions testing, international partnerships and exchanges and conducting research through its institutes and academic centers.

Університетська автономія запорука якості української освіти

Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America (KMFA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established to support and assist the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy to reach excellence in education and research, to help students and faculty achieve personal and intellectual growth and to contribute to Ukraine’s democratic reform through education with a focus on the rule of law, sustained economic growth and academic collaboration with business and civic institutions within the global community of nations.
Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America,
P.O. Box 46009, Chicago, IL 60646-0009 USA,
Tel.: (773) 685-1828 Fax: (773) 794-1654,
www.kmfoundation.com, mail@kmfoundation.com
KMF is registered in the USA as a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
Your donation is fully tax deductible as permitted by law.