December 2018. Grand celebration of the 16th anniversary of the International Humanitarian University
2018. 18th awards ceremony of the 'People's Recognition' ranking laureates
In 2018, the International Humanitarian University established itself as a young and ambitious, yet already experienced and prestigious higher education institution, with a community recognized and welcomed in all corners of the world. After celebrating its 16th anniversary and hosting the most beloved annual competition, 'Miss IHU,' the university community was given yet another reason to celebrate.
At the 18th award ceremony of the 'People's Recognition' ranking, the International Humanitarian University won in the category 'Best University in the Field of International Activities.' As noted by the organizers of the competition: "IHU lives up to its name as the absolute leader in the number of international students. Young people from 48 countries around the world receive European education here."
The honorary award was presented to the university's team by the Consul General of Romania in Odesa, Emil Rapcha.
However, the university's international activities go beyond just foreign students. The University continues to rapidly develop in areas such as international internships for IHU students, hosting international conferences, and inviting renowned professors and practitioners to its premises. In 2018, students from the Faculty of Linguistics and Translation had a meeting with the former Consul of Ukraine in Libya and Jordan, Mr. Pobble Dmitry Konstantinovich, who shared insights into the rules that form the basis of diplomatic protocol practices in Arab countries.
Moreover, the Institute of Law, Economics, and International Relations hosted open lectures from Professor Avinash Pawar from the Rajiv Gandhi Business School (Pune, India) who spoke about the Indian model of business branding, as well as Egyptian businessman and international-level lawyer Mohamed Bakri who discussed principles of business negotiations.
April 2018. Meeting of IHU students with multimillionaire, Egyptian businessman, and international lawyer Mohamed Bahri
September 2018. Professor Avinash Pawar from the Rajiv Gandhi Business School in Pune, India, conducts a lecture on business management tools at IHU
January 2018. President of IHU Sergiy Kivalov receives an award from the Director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics, Zhang Yuyuan
February 2018. Signing of a memorandum of cooperation between three universities: IHU, National University "Odessa Law Academy", and the University of Warsaw
It is important to note the deliberate expansion of the IHU team's international connections with foreign universities. In 2018, a prominent delegation from the Institute of World Economy and Politics, led by Director Zhang Yuyan visited the International Humanitarian University. During the meeting between the management of the International Humanitarian University and the Chinese delegation, an agreement was reached to establish a Center for Legal Protection of Chinese Citizens based at IHU.
In the same year, IHU hosted a delegation from the Institute of European Studies at Warsaw University, which resulted in the signing of a tripartite memorandum of cooperation between three universities: IHU, NU "OLA", and Warsaw University. The University also welcomed a group of scientists and professors from universities in Jakarta.
Similar delegations were also sent by IHU to establish cooperation, including to the University of Valencia, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Varna University of Management, Xinyu University (China), University of Belgrade.
In 2020, due to the synergistic combination of international connections and the high level of education of medical students, the International Humanitarian University was accepted into the ReMO, CA19117 'Researcher Mental Health' project. This program was funded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 (Horizon Europe) framework and aims to study the mental health of researchers, educators, and students worldwide. IHU is the only university in this project representing Ukraine.
As of early 2024, the International Humanitarian University has more than fifty active cooperation agreements with foreign educational institutions and organizations.
November 2020. Inaugural online meeting of the working group 'Researcher Mental Health'
October 2023. Meeting of IHU management with a representative of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
2023. Signing of an agreement for IHU medical students to complete their internships at the "Odrex" Medical House
The progress of the educational process at the University has not lagged behind its international cooperation. In 2018, new educational specialties were introduced: 'Law Enforcement Activities,' 'International Law' at the postgraduate level, and, for the first time in Southern Ukraine, the educational program 'Sports Management.' The latter allowed students to study the peculiarities of marketing in sports activities, the economics of sports industry enterprises, and the specifics of their management.
However, in addition to providing students with a solid theoretical foundation, IHU's management actively worked on establishing cooperation with leading enterprises to serve as bases for internships and pre-diploma practices. For example, agreements were signed with the general director of the "Odrex" Medical House, Tigran Arutyunyan, the "Sartus" Multifunctional Sanatorium, "Resort & SPA Hotel NEMO with dolphins", "Synergy Group", the travel agency "Let's Go With Us", and many others (a full list can be found here).
Two significant events took place in 2018 in the field of dentistry: the introduction of the new speciality "Dental Hygienist" and the opening of the second IHU Dental Clinic at 23, Fontanska Road. Local media reported at the time: "200 square meters equipped with the latest dental and periodontic technology, where five universal educational and treatment rooms can provide medical assistance and train students of Odesa Medical Institute of the International Humanitarian University."
The clinic is fully equipped with everything necessary for both the educational process and comprehensive medical care: training classrooms with special phantom models, an X-ray room, and a dental laboratory. The latest European equipment has been installed. Furthermore, the creation of the IHU Dental Clinic also had a socially oriented goal – to make dental services accessible to the low-income populations of Odesa.
November 2018. People waiting for the opening of the International Humanitarian University Dental Clinic
May 2020. Installation and testing of SD-H30 artificial ventilation machines at the IHU Epidemic Control Center
In the spring of 2020, the world faced a serious challenge – the COVID-19 pandemic. Sergiy Kivalov made an immediate decision to maximize the medical capabilities and unite efforts of the International Humanitarian University and National University "Odesa Law Academy" to assist students, management, staff, and all residents of Odesa.
From the first days of the pandemic, a Center for Epidemic Control, Coronavirus Response, and Protection against COVID-19 was established at the IHU University Clinic. Within a month, IHU lecture halls were converted into intensive care units, and the Coronavirus Response Center was swiftly created. 15,000 COVID-19 detection tests were purchased, along with modern ventilators, oxygen tanks, infusion pumps, and other essential medical equipment. As part of a social project, tens of thousands of Odesa residents and people from Odesa region were able to undergo free testing and receive high-quality medical care.
As part of the efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, the International Humanitarian University signed a number of cooperation agreements that included exchanging experiences in the fight against the virus, as well as providing medical supplies and technical equipment. Among the agreements were memoranda with Balta District Hospital and the International Association of Health.
In order to gain foreign experience regarding the prevention of coronavirus spread, the International Humanitarian University hosted Giuseppe Tommaso Cirella, Director of the Polo Research Center (Italy) and Professor at Gdańsk University (Poland). Professor Cirella shared insights on sustainable development issues and the global coronavirus epidemic, and conducted a series of practical workshops with medical students and faculty.
July 2020. Signing of the memorandum of cooperation between IHU and the International Health Association
2020. Practical seminars and workshops on combating the spread of coronavirus for doctors in the city of Odesa were held at IHU
August 2020. Presentation of the first online series in Ukraine 'Behind the Window,' filmed with the participation of the IHU team
Despite the pandemic and quarantine, the International Humanitarian University continued to develop, including in the creative direction. The staff of the Faculty of Arts and Design, together with students, created the first-ever online series in Ukraine, 'Behind the Window'. The episodes were filmed using drones through the windows of the students' apartments. The screenplay, direction, cinematography, and acting were all done by members of the large IHU family.
The presentation of the series took place on August 19, 2020, at the Vera Kholodnaya Art Center at Odesa Film Studio. According to the general producer of the 'Fan Films' company, the project quickly gained tremendous popularity – in less than a month, 18 directors from various countries joined the team, along with over 40 professional actors, including People's Artists of Ukraine. The series idea quickly gained traction abroad, with plans to adapt it for television audiences in France, Canada, the USA, Germany, and Spain.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the teams of the National University 'Odesa Law Academy', the International Humanitarian University, and Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law, under the leadership of Sergiy Kivalov, have been providing support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service, which are defending Ukrainian territory.
2023. President of IHU Sergiy Kivalov and Rector Kostyantyn Hromovenko award a student-military serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
December 2022. A serviceman undergoes art therapy at a workshop organized by the International Humanitarian University
Throughout the two years of the war, students and staff of the universities have carried out hundreds of charity events to support the military, donating blood almost every month for injured defenders, periodically contributing their daily wages to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and sending tens of thousands of 'dry lunches', equipment, and other essential supplies. On December 2, 2022, psychologists from the Psychological Support Center of the Ukrainian Navy Charity Fund, alongside military psychologists from the Ukrainian Navy, participated in a workshop dedicated to working with psychological trauma through art therapy.
Thanks to the lead specialist in art therapy, participants were introduced to exercises that help restore a sense of safety and comfort for those in need. Students eagerly participated in the exercises and the subsequent discussions.
Despite the challenging times the country was going through, in October 2022, the International Humanitarian University celebrated its 20th anniversary. As with any event held by the university during the state of war, a significant part of the celebration included recognizing students, staff, and graduates who, despite having military exemptions, stood up to defend Ukraine's independence.
First Deputy Head of Odesa Regional State Administration Boris Voloshenkov, First Deputy Head of Odesa Regional Council Oleg Radkovskyi, Chair of the Supervisory Board of IHU, Member of Parliament of Ukraine Yulia Gryshyna, Head of Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office Serhiy Kostenko, as well as representatives from the clergy and the Ukrainian Armed Forces delivered a welcome speech on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of IHU.
2022. The team of the International Humanitarian University celebrates the 20th anniversary of the University
2023. The management of the University, including President Sergiy Kivalov, Rector Konstantyn Hromovenko, and Chair of the Supervisory Board Yuliya Hryshyna, celebrate the 20th anniversary
October 2023. Founding assembly of the members of the International Educational Corporation
The creation of the International Educational Corporation (IEC) marks a significant milestone in the development of the International Humanitarian University. On October 12, 2023, a conference was held at IHU, where representatives from leading educational institutions of Ukraine and Europe participated, including Kyiv University of Intellectual Property and Law, the International Academic School 'Odesa', and the International Humanitarian University. The result of this conference was the foundation of the first international organization for educational institutions in Ukraine – the International Educational Corporation, following the best traditions of universities in the United Kingdom.
The IEC, which now includes the International Humanitarian University, allows educational institutions to develop their strategies according to international standards and principles, bypassing national bureaucratic procedures. Moreover, the International Educational Corporation ensures the closest possible educational, material and technical cooperation between its member institutions, a level of collaboration that cannot be achieved by any memorandum. Additionally, membership in the IEC guarantees the protection of educational institutions by international law from any internal or external threats.
