NU 'OLA' Leadership at the Certificate Award Ceremony for Students Who Passed the English Proficiency Exam
In September 2019, as part of the 'School of American Law' program, students of NU 'OLA' attended a lecture given by Roy Gonas, a lawyer, arbitrator, and senior legal expert at the European Court of Human Rights
During this period, the administration of the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' placed significant emphasis on expanding educational and scientific cooperation with top foreign educational institutions and international organizations. The goal was to provide students with opportunities for internships and employment in the most developed countries worldwide. This effort was preceded by the establishment of the International Relations Department in 1997, which has always been headed by the 'best of the best', the most competent and experienced representatives of the university community.
During this period, several innovative educational projects were launched, including the 'School of American Law', 'School of EU Law', and 'School of German Law'. Thanks to these programs, between 2015 and 2019, over 50 foreign lecturers worked pro bono at the university, and more than 1,000 students attended additional lectures by visiting professors, enhancing their professional skills and foreign language proficiency. Among the distinguished legal professionals who contributed were attorney John T. Connor (the USA), attorney Thomas N. Gersild (the USA), Professor Bruce Leimsidor from Ca' Foscari University (Italy), and six lecturers from the Institute of Europe at the University of Zurich (Switzerland).
As part of the implementation of the TEMPUS IV project 'Master's Program in International and European Law', NU 'OLA' launched the first English-language master's program in international and European law in Ukraine, as well as established an English-language academic periodical abroad.
Since 2015, the International Relations Department has focused extensively on developing and coordinating academic mobility programs, leading to a steady increase in participation. Through programs such as MEVLANA, ERASMUS MUNDUS, the FULBRIGHT PROGRAM, and inter-university agreements, more than 500 students, postgraduate researchers, and staff members have studied, interned, or conducted research abroad.
By 2019, NU 'OLA' had over 50 active agreements with universities in Europe, the United States, Turkey, Taiwan, Mexico, Kenya, Azerbaijan, and China, as well as 13 memoranda of cooperation with international organizations.
NU 'OLA' Leadership with Scholar Jarosław Turlukowski from the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw at the Diploma Ceremony for Students Specializing in Polish Law
As a result of the efforts of the university administration and the International Relations Department, the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' received an award in the category 'Leaders in International Activities' at the III International Exhibition 'Modern Educational Institutions'. Additionally, at the end of 2016, NU 'OLA' was honored with the prestigious award 'People's Recognition 2016'.
Moreover, according to rankings conducted twice by the Ukrainian magazine 'Focus' in 2011 and 2013, the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' secured first place in the field of international cooperation among Ukrainian higher education institutions specializing in legal studies.
The President of NU 'OLA', Sergiy Kivalov, together with students, attended the 107th session of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) in 2016. It was a vivid example of the university strong internationalization. Future lawyers and political scientists from Odesa Law Academy had the opportunity to complete pre-graduation internships at this advisory body and other institutions of the Council of Europe. They also engaged with leading experts in constitutional and international law from PACE member states and diplomatic representatives of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Milan.
NU 'OLA' students gained insight into the organizational structure of the Venice Commission, the decision-making process on crucial European legal matters, and had the unique opportunity to attend the European Commission meeting as observers. Notably, one of the key topics discussed at this session was the evaluation of Ukraine electoral legislation.
Impressions of Law Academy Students from Their Internship in Switzerland
Impressions of Law Academy Students from Their Internship in Switzerland
Impressions of Law Academy Students from Their Internship in Switzerland
Impressions of Law Academy Students from Their Internship in Switzerland
Impressions of Law Academy Students from Their Internship in Switzerland
Year 2016: NU 'OLA' President Sergiy Kivalov together with students at the 107th session of the Venice Commission in Milan
October 2017. NU 'OLA' President Sergiy Kivalov alongside International Criminal Court Judge Anita Ušacka and Vice President of the International Association of International Criminal Law Piotr Wilkitzki
In 2017, following Ukraine recognition of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' welcomed Judge Anita Ušacka, a member of the first composition of the ICC, and Peter Wilkitzki, Vice President of the International Association of Penal Law. These distinguished guests participated in the scientific and practical conference 'International Criminal Justice in a Turbulent World', held at the university.
The President of NU 'OLA', Serhii Kivalov, had met Sang-Hyun Song, President of the ICC, and Philippe Kirsch, the court first president. During these meetings, they discussed key issues regarding Ukraine accession to the ICC system, the ratification of the Rome Statute, and the obligations Ukraine would need to undertake as part of the international criminal justice system.
That same year, the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' (NU 'OLA') signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Patent and Trademark Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as a meeting of University staff with the President of the Institute of International Education, Alan Goodman. Moreover, during this period, Odesa Law Academy welcomed several distinguished guests on working visits, including four judges of the European Court of Human Rights, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, Morten Enberg, the personal attorney of U.S. President Barack Obama, Richard Rosenthal, the OSCE High Commissioner, Astrid Thors, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Ukraine, Guillaume Scheurer, the Director of the Institute of Europe at the University of Zurich, Professor Andreas Kellerhals and many other representatives of the international legal community.
Furthermore, in January 2017, the President of NU 'OLA', Sergiy Kivalov, was invited by the Administration of the President of the United States to attend the inauguration of the 45th President, Donald Trump.
June 2019. International Scientific and Practical Conference: 'European Court of Human Rights Jurisprudence in the Digital Era', attended by ECHR judges, Supreme Court justices, Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine representatives, prominent lawyers, and scholars
January 2017. Sergiy Kivalov at the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump
Renowned TV Host and Showman Oleksandr Pedan Undergoes a Polygraph Examination at NU 'OLA'
At the same time, rapid development was characteristic not only of NU 'OLA' international activities. Thus, in February 2016, the Polygraph Testing Center was established at Odesa Law Academy. The university had been waiting for the purchased polygraph for nearly two years. It was ordered from Lafayette Instrument Company, based in Lafayette, Indiana (the USA), which is the undisputed global leader in the production and sale of lie detectors. Representatives of the university underwent specialized training and obtained the necessary certifications to open the center.
At that time, the National University 'Odesa Law Academy' was the only higher education institution in Ukraine that had obtained a license to use such a polygraph and integrated it into its educational programs, particularly in criminal procedure, forensic science, legal practice, legal psychology, and many other disciplines.
Odesa Law Academy once again became the first educational institution in Ukraine in 2018, this time by opening the Cybersecurity and Information Technology Center. This Center, established within the Faculty of Cybersecurity and Information Technologies at NU 'OLA', features spacious, European-style classrooms equipped with modern computer technology and the latest software necessary for training specialists in software engineering, cybersecurity, and IT law.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Roman Greba, Head of the State Service for Education Quality, Ruslan Hurak, Vice-Governor of Odesa Region Serhii Koleboshyn, Head of the Main Territorial Department of Justice in Odesa Region, Ruslan Sauliak, as well as the President of Odesa Law Academy, Sergiy Kivalov, who initiated the establishment of the Center attended this significant event for the technological development of the country.
Year 2018: Opening of the Center for Cybersecurity and Information Technology
Year 2018: Opening of the Center for Cybersecurity and Information Technology
Year 2018: Opening of the Center for Cybersecurity and Information Technology
Year 2018: Opening of the Center for Cybersecurity and Information Technology
Year 2018: Opening of the Center for Cybersecurity and Information Technology
Year 2018: Opening of the Center for Cybersecurity and Information Technology
August 2018: Students of the Faculty of Psychology, Political Science, and Sociology of NU 'OLA' conduct the largest social survey in Ukraine
August 2018: Students of the Faculty of Psychology, Political Science, and Sociology of NU 'OLA' conduct the largest social survey in Ukraine
In August 2018, the team of Odesa Law Academy once again became record holders. Sociology students of NU 'OLA' conducted the largest public survey in Ukraine. A total of 573 students simultaneously took to the busiest streets of the city to ask residents whether it was true that Odesa is a city of happy people. Despite the simplicity of the question, the survey had an extremely important goal – to provide students with practical experience in conducting large-scale sociological research, processing, and analyzing statistical data and public opinion. The record for the largest public survey was officially registered by Dmytro Yaits'kyi, a representative of the National Register of Records of Ukraine.
Despite the simplicity of the question, the survey had an extremely important goal, namely, to provide students with practical experience in conducting large-scale sociological research, processing, and analyzing statistical data and public opinion. The record for the largest public survey was officially registered by Dmytro Yaits'kyi, a representative of the National Register of Records of Ukraine.
The administration of NU 'OLA' has also focused on the spiritual development of students following a tradition established during the time of the Richelieu Lyceum. The Primate of the Alexandrian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Theodor II of Alexandria and All Africa visited the university on September 28, 2018. The Supreme Judge of Orthodoxy participated in a meeting of the University Academic Council, where he discussed key legal issues concerning the status of religious organizations and institutions in Ukraine with the professors and staff members of Odesa Law Academy. He also gave his blessing to the university community for their good deeds.
An important event in the religious life of NU 'OLA' was the addition of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God to the student church of Saint Martyr Tatiana. The icon was specially commissioned by Sergiy Kivalov and created on Mount Athos.
September 2018: NU 'OLA' staff together with Patriarch Theodor II of Alexandria and All Africa, as well as Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail
September 2018: Patriarch Theodor II at the Rare Book Museum of the National University 'Odesa Law Academy'
Year 2015: Addition of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God to the student church of Saint Martyr Tatiana, created on Mount Athos by order of Sergiy Kivalov.
October 2019 :NU ‘OLA’ staff together with the first President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk.
October 2019: First President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, donates his personal book ‘The First About Power’ with a handwritten signature to the NU ‘OLA’ Rare Book Museum.
October 2019: Leonid Kravchuk on a tour of the Law Academy campus.
October 2019: Leonid Kravchuk with NU "OLA" students
On October 18, 2019, the National University ‘Odesa Law Academy’, recognized as a center of legal education and legal science in Ukraine, held a solemn meeting of the Academic Council in honor of the visit of the first President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk. During the event, President Kravchuk was awarded an honorary distinction, the mantle of an Honorary Doctor of Odesa Law Academy, ‘Honoris Causa’.
During his meeting with Sergiy Kivalov, Leonid Makarovych, as the head of the All-Ukrainian Peace Council, emphasized the high recognition of the Law Academy not only in Ukraine, but also far beyond its borders.
