2010 year. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the transformation of the institution into the National University "Odesa Law Academy"
The year 2010 was, without exaggeration, a year of historic changes and significant events in the life of the Law Academy. By the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, dated July 28, 2010, which was approved by the Presidential Decree of Ukraine, the educational institution 'Odesa National Law Academy' was reorganized into the National University 'Odesa Law Academy'. Symbolically, the document was signed by the Head of State on September 2, 2010 – the birthday of the city of Odesa. In this way, the country government emphasized the university importance for the development of the city and the entire Odesa region. The status of a National University opens up new opportunities for implementing ambitious plans. Ideas begin to materialize, but not without the diligent efforts of the institution staff.
The material and technical facilities of the National University "Odesa Law Academy" have significantly improved. One of the most notable achievements was the establishment of the open-air sports and wellness complex "University" on the shore of the Black Sea at the 8th station of the Velikiy Fountain Street. The total area of the sports complex reached 2,750 square meters, making it the largest among all educational wellness facilities built since Ukraine independence. The "University" complex featured and still maintains a sports ground with spectator stands for 1,000 people, as well as courts for mini-football, basketball, and volleyball; a clay tennis court; and an open-air gym.
All areas of the wellness complex are equipped with lighting and an acoustic system, with surface quality and layout inspired by the best Olympic grounds, courts, and sports centers worldwide. The grand opening took place in 2012, and it is not surprosing that "University" quickly became a favorite place for sports and recreation not only for students and staff, but also for all residents of Odesa.
Closed section of the sports and recreation complex "University"
Open section of the sports and recreation complex "University"
2012 year. Solemn opening of the student recreation center "Academy"
2011 year. The team of NU "OLA" during the construction of the sports and recreation complex "Academy"
Continuing the development of recreational infrastructure for the staff and students of the National University "Odesa Law Academy", the university president, Sergiy Kivalov, established the ultra-modern four-star recreation facilities "Femida" in the summer of 2012. The facilities are located on the shores of the Black Sea in the resort town of Zatoka, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, Odesa region. The total area of the recreation facilities are approximately 10,000 square meters, featuring 130 rooms of five different categories, accommodating around 300 guests.
The significance and uniqueness of this event were further emphasized by an agreement between Odesa Law Academy and the university trade union, under which the union covered 85% of the cost of vacation packages. As a result, university staff and students were able to enjoy an almost free stay at the best recreation facility in southern Ukraine, right on the Black Sea coast.
In June 2012, construction began on Ukraine first General Education Church School in Odesa, which would later become widely known among journalists, students, and all Odesa residents as the "School of the Future."
As regional and national newspapers of the time wrote: "That summer day became a unique moment of unity for all influential figures in Odesa. In June 2012 representatives of Odesa City Hall, the governor of Odesa region, Eduard Matviychuk, and members of the Ukrainian Parliament were alongside Sergiy Kivalov at the groundbreaking ceremony. Everyone unanimously pledged their active support and assistance in bringing the idea to life. The city authorities did all possible to ensure the fastest completion of their part of the work, creating all the required conditions for the swift construction of this gem, a unique architectural and spiritual complex."
December 2011 year. Laying of a commemorative capsule – the beginning of the construction of the International Academic School 'Odesa'
Solemn approval of the coat of arms of Chernivtsi Law Institute of NU "OLA"
During this period, Odesa Law Academy continued its expansion by establishing new structural units. In 2010, a branch was opened in the picturesque region of Bukovyna, in the city of Chernivtsi. In 2014, by order of the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, it was granted the status of Chernivtsi Law Institute of the National University "Odesa Law Academy". To this day, the institute remains a distinguished representative of Odesa Law School. During its initial years from 2010 to 2016, Chernivtsi Law Institute of NU "OLA" achieved significant academic success. The total number of publications by staff and students exceeded 500, including approximately 330 research articles and 200 conference theses. Additionally, four monographs, three textbooks, and 16 educational and methodological manuals were written and published, some of which received official approval from the Ministry of Education and Science.
One of the most significant events in the history of Odesa Law Academy and the entire education and science system of Ukraine was the creation of the State Institute of Intellectual Property of the National University "Odesa Law Academy" in Kyiv, which in 2016 was renamed the Kyiv Institute of Intellectual Property and Law of the National University "Odesa Law Academy".
The institute first faculty consisted of just 77 academic and teaching staff. However, due to the synergistic combination of Odesa Law Academy values and approaches to scientific and academic activities with the opportunities and prospects of the capital city, Kyiv Institute of NU "OLA" has grown into one of the most advanced and prestigious private universities in the country. Today, it enjoys widespread respect and trust among thousands of prospective students and their parents.
2009 year. State Institute of Intellectual Property of NU "OLA"
The staff team of the Faculty of Journalism of NU "OLA" in front of their first academic building.
With the young Ukrainian state developed, a growing need for competent analysts of social and political processes arose. To address this demand, on July 13, 2010, the Faculty of Legal Political Science and Sociology was established at the university. From its inception, this faculty became one of the most prestigious not only in Odesa, but in the whole country. The curriculum focuses on applied sociology and political science, psychology, law, and foreign languages. Notably, the latter became possible with the establishment of the Department of Romance and Germanic Languages in 2011, specifically to support these courses.
By 2013, Odesa Law Academy also began training journalists. The newly created Faculty of Journalism brought in practicing media professionals to prepare students for careers on television, radio, and online media. Today, graduates of the faculty work in local, national, and international media outlets.
An important event for the development of legal science in the entire country was the establishment, by Presidential Decree of Ukraine No. 635/2010, dated May 27, 2010, of the Southern Regional Center of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine based on the National University "Odesa Law Academy." The head of the center is the university president, Sergiy Kivalov, and the academic secretary is Professor, Doctor of Law, Yevhen Streltsov.
The Southern Regional Research Center of the NALS of Ukraine at Odesa Law Academy coordinates scientific research in the field of state and law in five regions, namely, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and the city of Sevastopol.
All 16 academic members of the Southern Regional Center are scholars and lecturers of the National University "Odesa Law Academy"
Inside KUIPL, a general meeting of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine took place.
2007 year. Visit to ONLA by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine O.I. Medvedko, together with the Prosecutors General of Moldova and Romania.
The academy administration also cares about the future of graduates from all faculties. One of the significant events of this five-year period was the signing of a cooperation agreement with the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, which provided students of the National University "Odesa Law Academy" with the opportunity to undergo internships at the General, district, and regional prosecutor's offices, as well as to secure employment in these authorities. Additionally, the agreement allows for high-ranking prosecutors to be invited to lectures and conferences, facilitating experience exchange and personnel cooperation.
To discuss the key terms of the agreement, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, O. I. Medvedko, personally visited Odesa Law Academy, accompanied by the Prosecutors General of Moldova and Romania.
Over the past five years, Odesa Law Academy has organized numerous significant events and welcomed distinguished delegations. Historically important decisions for the state are made at the Academy. In the summer of 2010, the National University "Odesa Law Academy" became the center of discussions on judicial reform. The Parliamentary Committee on Justice, chaired by Sergiy Kivalov, held an offsite meeting in Odesa to conduct hearings on the draft law concerning the judiciary and the status of judges. The purpose of the event, attended by members of parliament, judges, public figures, specialized journalists, and experts, was outlined by the chairman, Sergiy Kivalov: "We cannot adopt a separate law specifically for the judiciary. We adopt laws to make it easier for citizens to resolve disputes that arise in their interactions with state institutions."
The Law of Ukraine "On the Judiciary and the Status of Judges" was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in 2016 thanks to the extensive efforts of legal professionals, particularly those from Odesa region. This law reinforced European guarantees of impartiality and fairness in the judicial system.
2010 year. The title of Honorary Doctor was awarded to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mavlut Cavusoglu
Another landmark visit of this period took place in the autumn of 2010 when the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Turkish politician and diplomat Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, visited Odesa. During his official visit, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu came to Odesa Law Academy, where he engaged in a constructive dialogue with the university administration and students. By decision of the university academic council, Mr. Çavuşoğlu was awarded the honorary doctorate Honoris Causa.
In 2013, the honorary doctorate Honoris Causa was also awarded to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Jean-Claude Mignon, who visited Odesa Law Academy to discuss the legal aspects of Ukraine European integration process. This issue was effectively examined by the university scholars during an academic council meeting, where the President of the Parliamentary Assembly noted the unique material and technical infrastructure as well as the high level of expertise among the university academic staff.
In 2012, Odesa Law Academy hosted another significant event. Judges of the Strasbourg Court, international experts, representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Ukrainian specialists in international law, and experts in international judicial disputes gathered to discuss issues related to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) at the international forum "Legal Support for the Effective Implementation of Decisions and the Application of the Practice of the European Court of Human Rights".
Judge of the ECHR, David Thór Björgvinsson, shared his thoughts on the event: "I am very pleased to be here. This is crucial for the further development of our cooperation. We were happy to arrive in Odesa and are impressed by the Law Academy. I believe this conference is highly significant for European jurisprudence as a whole. We are meeting with colleagues from Ukraine to discuss the implementation of new norms and procedures for the European Court of Human Rights. I believe that the findings presented here will be useful for a better understanding of the human rights protection situation in Ukraine and across Europe." In total, more than one hundred experts delivered speeches at the conference.
The International Forum at NU "OLA" was attended by Judges of the Strasbourg Court, international experts, and representatives of PACE.
