Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Founded in 1834, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) is Ukraine’s largest national higher education institution and recognised as one of its most prestigious. For almost two centuries, the University has combined quality education and modern science, tradition and innovation. The university has a long history of achievement and excellence, and is the university of choice for the many gifted students who in turn receive the opportunity to become leaders in their fields, professions and in public life.

Currently, Shevchenko University encompasses 13 faculties, 7 educational and scientific institutes, 3 educational institutes, 1 educational and scientific center, 2 colleges, 1 lyceum, and preparatory departments. More than 25,000 students, about 2,000 foreign students, and approximately 2,000 educators are engaged in more than 600 training and scientific programmes in 25 fields and 59 disciplines.

KNU occupies leading positions in international rankings among higher education institutions in Ukraine and is among the TOP 50 universities in Eastern Europe.

Among the graduates of Shevchenko University are well-known scientists and statesmen, including two presidents of Ukraine.

Some highlights:

• Renewal of the medical training direction at the University on the basis of the Educational and Scientific Center “Institute of Biology and Medicine”. A University Clinic was established that provides the basis for the completion of an internship for students of medical courses and to meet the needs of students and university staff for medical services. Since 2019, the clinic has operated a consultative and diagnostic department, a laboratory diagnostic department, and a centre for psychiatry and psychological help for adults and children.
• Combination of the University’s different field of academia and science within the Corporation “Science Park of Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv”  provides a unique opportunity to initiate an effective innovation process - the promotion and commercialisation of intellectual R&D and technological projects in the field of theoretical and applied sciences. The Corporation organises events aimed at developing and improving relations between science and business in Ukraine and the world. Within the framework of the KNU Science Park, the KNU Business School - a platform for young businesses that brings together young scientists and students to solve applied business problems through the implementation of innovative start-up projects - is permanently operated.
• The Shevchenko University museums are among the most unique university museums in Europe and house some of the most interesting scientifically important collections. In particular, the Zoological Museum, founded in 1834, whose scientific collection includes about 700,000 objects and is listed in many world catalogues of zoological collections. The large collection of insects contains about 668,000 specimens. The collections of birds (17,000) and mammals (7,800) are particularly valuable. The Linguistic Educational Museum is the first and only of its kind in the world. The museums of the University are an important part of the scientific and educational process and are often included in excursions to Kyiv.
• Five unique scientific objects of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv have been included in the State Register of Scientific Objects as National Treasures: the horizontal solar telescope of the Astronomical Observatory; the collection of introduced plants and the collection of tropical and subtropical plants of the O. Fomin Botanical Garden, the fund of early printed rare and valuable book collections of the M. Maksymovych Scientific Library, and the geological landscape, plant and animal complex of the Kaniv nature reserve.
• #Naukaprosto (science is simple) – is a KNU art project aimed at popularising science, scientific discoveries and achievements of the University, as well as encouraging scientific activities. The goal of the project is to convey to ordinary citizens, in an understandable language, the scale of Ukrainian scientific achievements and their practical significance for everyone.