2011. Meeting of the Academic Council of the International Humanitarian University
2010. President of IHU Sergiy Kivalov explores the exhibition on the topic of "International Tourism Day"
The years 2007-2011 in the history of the International Humanitarian University can undoubtedly be considered a period of rapid expansion and development. Guided by the best educational traditions of the Odesa Law Academy and based on the strong material and technical foundation established during the first five years, IHU never ceased to improve, both in terms of quantity and quality.
Student enrollment increased significantly across all structural units of the university. For example, in 2003, the Institute of National and International Law admitted only 50 students, but by the 2009-2010 academic year, around 1,300 students were studying there, with 12 Doctors of Law, 43 Candidates of Legal Sciences, and 44 lecturers and assistants. A similar increase occurred at the Faculty of Economics and Management – from 15 to 900 students in just a few years; at the Faculty of Linguistics and Translation – from 40 to 400 students, among other departments.
In January 2009, the university administration made a pivotal decision—the establishment of the Odesa Medical Institute at the International Humanitarian University. Some initially questioned the need for another medical education institution in Odesa, alongside the Odesa National Medical University. However, the new European-style academic buildings and classrooms, state-of-the-art medical equipment, faculty comprised of top specialists from across Ukraine, and well-established system of international connections quickly dispelled any doubts and rapidly earned the Odesa Medical Institute a reputation as a leader in professional medical training in the Southern region.
Additionally, in 2009, the university founded the Medical College of the Odesa National Medical University under IHU, focusing on training mid-level pharmacy specialists. The curriculum encompassed several specialized fields, including general and clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical technology, medical chemistry, biology, and pharmacognosy.
2009. The faculty and teaching staff of the Odesa Medical Institute of the International Humanitarian University
Scientific Student Conference on International Law. Among the students, one can see the future rector of the International Humanitarian University, Kostiantyn Hromovenko
Graduation of International Humanitarian University students in 2012
By the second half of 2009, given the rapid development of the University, the President of the IHU, Sergiy Kivalov, set the task of accrediting the higher education institution. As recalled by Mykola Kovalenko – Rector of the International Humanitarian University from 2004 to 2010: "Probably, our team has never worked as intensively as in the winter—spring of 2009—2010. The ministerial commission of six members had virtually no remarks. And the victory came — on March 30, 2010 at a regular meeting of the State Accreditation Commission, the university was accredited as a higher education institution of the fourth — the highest — level! At that time, we were only 8 years old…"
As a result of active licensing efforts, students were enrolled in as many as 23 specialties! While the graduating class of 2007 comprised only 63 students, by 2012, diplomas were awarded to 1,094 graduates!
The attainment of the highest, fourth level of accreditation spurred intensified scientific research and communication. In particular, a postgraduate department was established for all major specialties (with more than 50 candidates as of 2011), and the university's academic staff was enriched with top-tier scientific and pedagogical specialists, including two corresponding members of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, three honored scientists of Ukraine, an honored lawyer of Ukraine, two People's Artists of Ukraine, nine honored artists of Ukraine, and four honored cultural figures of Ukraine.
The recognition of the university's high-quality faculty is reflected in their involvement in Ukraine's top state institutions. For instance, Professor T. O. Antsupova, following a rigorous selection process, was appointed as a judge of the newly formed Supreme Court, while Professor B. V. Babin was designated as the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Professor of International Humanitarian University T.O. Antsupova was appointed as a judge of the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court
2011. MHU Joins the Magna Charta Universitatum at the University of Bologna (Italy)
2011. MHU Joins the Magna Charta Universitatum at the University of Bologna (Italy)
In 2007, an MHU delegation received an invitation to visit the University of Liverpool. This visit marked the beginning of dynamic cooperation with foreign universities, leading to the signing of memorandums of understanding with Wrocław University of Science and Technology, the University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, with the European School of Informatics and Economics (Warsaw), and many other institutions between 2007 and 2011.
On September 16, 2011, a solemn ceremony took place at the University of Bologna (Italy) where International Humanitarian University officially joined the Magna Charta Universitatum. The Magna Charta enabled MHU to expand its international collaboration with European higher education institutions in terms of student exchange programs and the hosting of honorary professors. Additionally, since then, MHU diplomas have been officially recognized across all European countries, including for employment purposes.
As a result of signing a number of cooperation memorandums with various enterprises, institutions, and organizations, the list of internship bases for MGU students was also expanded. Specifically, students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Innovative Technologies gained opportunities to do internships and further placements at companies like "Ukrtelecom" and the "Southwest Information Security Agency." Medical students had the chance to intern at the "Biocon" perfume and cosmetics association; while law students could complete their internships at courts, prosecutor's offices, and renowned law firms and associations.
Medical students at the university library
Director of the Educational and Scientific Center for International Educational Programs, Alireza Pahlevanzade, together with international students
Since September 1, 2011, the International Humanitarian University has opened language courses for foreign citizens. The aim of these courses is to provide a comprehensive, planned additional educational service for foreign nationals to study foreign languages. The educational programs of the courses are additional education programs that align with the university's humanities focus: — an advanced English language program; — a European foreign languages program; — an Eastern languages program; — a Ukrainian language program.
The main objectives of the courses are: to meet the needs of foreigners in learning foreign languages, to involve participants in intercultural educational processes, and to develop communication skills such as cooperation, respect for individuality, and tolerance toward intercultural diversity.
The material and technical base of the MGU significantly improved. One of the notable developments was the opening of the sports and wellness complex "University" outdoors on the shore of the Black Sea at the 8th station of the Big Fountain. The total area of the complex reached 2750 square meters, making it the largest of all educational health facilities built during the years of Ukraine's independence. "University" featured a sports field with spectator stands for 1,000 people, mini-football, basketball, and volleyball courts; a clay tennis court, and an outdoor gym.
All areas of the wellness complex were equipped with lighting and an acoustic system, and the quality of their coverage and planning was inspired by the best Olympic fields, courts, and sports centers in the world. The opening event took place in 2012, and it quickly became a favorite spot not only for students and faculty but also for all residents of Odessa to relax and engage in sports.
2012. MGU President Sergiy Kivalov takes the first kick on the football field of the newly built sports and wellness complex "University"
2012. Grand opening of the university's four-star recreation center "Femida" located in the town of Zatoka
In the summer of 2012, under the initiative of the President of the International Humanitarian University, Sergiy Kivalov, the construction of the ultramodern four-star recreation center "Femida" was completed. It is located on the shores of the Black Sea in the settlement of Zatoka, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district of the Odesa region. The total area of the recreation center is about 10,000 square meters, with 130 rooms in five different categories, capable of accommodating around 300 people.
Although the recreation center was built on the infrastructure of the National University "Odesa Law Academy," MGU faculty and students also had the opportunity to vacation almost for free at the best recreational facility in Zatoka.
