Mechnykov Odesa National University stands as one of Ukraine’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Holding the highest level of accreditation, the university boasts a rich history of academic excellence and global recognition. Over the years, it has received numerous rewards, including the honorary title “Leader of Modern Education” five times between 2005 and 2009. In 2010, it was awarded the Grand Prix for educational excellence. From 2011 to 2014, ONU was recognized as the “Leader of Scientific and Technical Activity,” receiving accolades for its research effectiveness.
Mechnykov Odesa National University is home to over ten thousand students and one and a half thousand faculty members, including more than 20 academicians and corresponding members of state and branch academies. The university’s faculty includes 18 honored figures of science, education, and culture, along with 12 laureates of state awards. With nearly 120 doctors of science and professors, and over 600 candidates of science and associate professors across nearly 100 departments, ONU is a hub of academic expertise. The university offers training in 20 areas and more than 40 specialties, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience for its students. ONU is known for its prolific research output, hosting numerous international conferences annually and publishing hundreds of monographs, textbooks, and scientific articles.
University’s History
Mechnykov Odesa National University established in 1865, is a prestigious educational and scientific center in Ukraine. It traces its origins to the Richelieu Lyceum founded in 1817, which transitioned into a university system under the reforms of D.M. Knyazhevych in the 1830s. The Imperial University of Novorossiysk, which opened in 1865, encompassed faculties in historical-philological, physical-mathematical, and legal fields, later adding a medical faculty in 1900. The university played a significant role in the region’s social and academic life, housing educational and auxiliary institutions such as libraries, museums, and observatories.
The university’s faculty included renowned figures such as microbiologist I.I. Mechnikov, mathematician Oleksandr Lyapunov, and physicist Fedir Shvedov, among others. After the February Revolution of 1917, the university underwent several transformations and reorganizations, eventually becoming the Odesa Institute of Public Education. Higher education faced a crisis in the 1930s, but the university in Odesa resumed its activities in 1933. During World War II, the university was evacuated and continued its operations in various locations. A separate university was established by the Romanian authorities in occupied Odesa, which operated in the buildings of the original university.
Odessa State University, renamed after I.I. Mechnikov in 1945, resumed operations in 1944 as a symbol of post-war renewal. Recognized for its excellence, it expanded its faculties and infrastructure, receiving prestigious awards like the Order of the Red Banner of Labor in 1965. In 1991, amid Ukraine’s independence, the university embarked on a path of global integration. Successive rectors implemented reforms to enhance autonomy and adaptability, leading to national recognition in 2000. Engaging actively with international bodies such as UNESCO and EUA, the university forged partnerships worldwide, reflecting its commitment to excellence and global cooperation in education and research.
Faculties
- Faculty of Biology;
- Faculty of Geology and Geography;
- Faculty of International Relations, Political Science, and Sociology;
- Faculty of Economics and Law;
- Faculty of History and Philosophy;
- Faculty of Journalism, Advertising, and Publishing;
- Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Information Technologies;
- Faculty of Psychology and Social Work;
- Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology;
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy.
Accommodation
At Mechnikov Odesa National University, student accommodation is provided in comfortable dormitories located on or near the campus. The dormitories offer a range of amenities to ensure a pleasant living experience for international students. Each room is equipped with the necessary furniture, including beds, bedside tables, a table, and chairs. Additionally, there are common areas such as lobbies, kitchens, and study rooms where students can relax and socialize. The university prioritizes accommodation for out-of-town students, foreign students, and student families, as well as those from underprivileged backgrounds. The university strives to create a supportive and conducive environment for student life, ensuring that students have access to adequate living conditions while pursuing their academic goals.