National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” is a higher educational, scientific, and methodological institution located in Odesa. The Navy Institute of National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” provides: training of military specialists in bachelor’s and master’s degrees; advanced training of officers; training of officers conscripted into armed forces during mobilization; military training of students of higher education institutions under the reserve officer training programme; scientific and technical activities; military and patriotic education of higher education students and pre-conscription youth.
History
On March 5, 1944, the State Defense Committee of the USSR adopted the resolution “On measures of training command personnel of the naval fleet”: to establish higher engineering maritime schools and closed-type maritime regime schools on the basis of maritime technical schools. In order to implement this resolution, on June 7, 1944, a decree of the People’s Commissar of the Navy was issued, which proposed to reorganize maritime technical schools into higher maritime schools and create a higher maritime school in Odesa. Four specialties were opened at Odesa Higher Maritime School (OHMS): navigation, ship propulsion systems and mechanisms, ship electrical systems and mechanisms, ship radio systems.
The status and prestige of the School, as well as the quality of educational and scientific work, greatly increased. In 1950, the School was awarded the status of a higher educational institution of the II category, and in 1968 it got the status of the I category. OHMS was awarded the 1st degree diploma by the Exhibition of the National Economy Achievements of the USSR. In 1950 the School began training of foreign citizens. In 1958, OHMS was transformed into OHEMS – Odesa Higher Engineering Maritime School.
The year 1974 witnessed a memorable o-board training of the cadets of the School, when “Comrade” together with “Kruzenshtern” took part in the international sailing regatta “Operation” Sail-74” (between Copenhagen and Gdynia) for the first time. Until the beginning of the 1990s, OHEMS met the international standards in terms of its educational base, teaching staff, and scientific potential. On April 26, 1991, the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR adopted Resolution No. 207 on the transformation of Odesa Higher Engineering Maritime School named after Leninist Young Communist League (aka “Komsomol”) into Odesa State Maritime Academy (OSMA).
From 1992, by the decree of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Odesa State Maritime Academy was included in the list of Higher Educational Institutions of the Ministry of Education with the military training of cadets; and corresponding departments, faculties and departments of military training were created. On July 7, 1998, by the decision of the State Accreditation Commission of Ukraine, OSMA was recognized as an educational institution certified by the IV level of accreditation.
By the resolution of June 4, 2014, the Faculty of Naval Forces was established at ONMA, which was later transformed into the Navy Institute of NU “OMA”. According to the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 623 dated June 15, 2015 and the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 500 dated August 25, 2015, dated January 1, 2016 ONMA was reorganized by transforming it into National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” (NUOMA).
University Today
Every year, the National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” graduates from 2,000 to 3,000 specialists of various levels, from a Junior Specialist to a Master’s degree. In the conditions of martial law, the University managed to organize the educational process, provide the opportunity for cadets to undergo practical training on simulators and in laboratories and on ships, to pass graduation certification. Graduates of the University have good job opportunities by profession. The graduate diploma of National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” provides broad career growth prospects, both in the fleet and on shore, in enterprises and companies of the maritime industry.
National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” is an active member of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). Representatives of the University regularly participate in the work of the assemblies, committees and subcommittees of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as part of the official delegations of Ukraine and the International Association of Maritime Universities. The quality management system of the University is verified by the certification body «Bureau Veritas» and meets the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard: for educational, methodical, scientific, scientific-technical and innovative activities; practical training of seafarers. In addition to the university as a whole, the «Academmarine» Medical Center and the University training centers underwent the certification audit: Institute of Postgraduate Education «Centre for Training and Certification of Seafarers», Training Centre «Survival in Extreme Conditions at Sea», Training Centre of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. The training programmes in 4 engineering specialities of the University at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels are accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology of the United Kingdom (IMarEST) to meet the requirements of the highest level of Chartered Engineer in the UK.
The number of cadets and students of the University, including its branches, is more than 7,000 people. In addition, thousands of seafarers undergo upgrading and refreshing training at the University every year. The system of education, training and certification of seafarers in Ukraine is approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which allows University graduates to work on board of ships of various foreign shipping companies, including ships flying the flags of the European Union. International experts note the high level of programmes and courses offered at the University, the quality of the assessment and certification system, the high level of special equipment and simulators, and the highly qualified teachers and instructors of the University.
National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” has all the necessary equipment, methodological support and personnel potential for training graduates in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Bachelor’s curricula and programs include all types of mandatory training for issuing the first Certificate of Competency. The Institute of Postgraduate Education of the University has created conditions for effective improvement of seafarers’ qualifications, for conducting Refresher and Updating Training courses. Master’s training programs and professional development programs provide the opportunity to occupy top positions (Captain, Chief Engineer) on sea-going vessels, provided the relevant sea service is available.
The Institute of Maritime Law and Management, in addition to good professional knowledge and skills, provides in-depth knowledge of the English language, which gives significant advantages to the Institute graduates for employment in international and foreign companies that highly value our graduates.
The presence of scientific schools, postgraduate and doctoral studies, a specialized scientific council for the defense of dissertations, the publication of collections of scientific works of the University provide the possibility of the effective training of highly qualified personnel: Doctors of Philosophy and Doctors of Science.
The cadets have access to a campus, which includes: 4 buildings (dormitories), a canteen, a library, a sports complex, a modern medical center, and its own gas boiler house. The National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” has all the conditions for physical education and sports: an Olympic-class swimming pool, games and gyms, a mini-stadium, and yacht station on the seashore.
Structure
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Navigation
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Engineering
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Automation and Electrical Engineering
- Educational and Scientific Institute of Maritime Law and Management
- Institute of Postgraduate Education “Centre of Training and Certification of Crew Members”
- Center for postgraduate education of transport infrastructure specialists
- Training center “Marine Lingua”
- GMDSS TRAINING CENTER
- Center for survival in extreme conditions at sea
Accommodation
The National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” campus includes 4 dedicated dormitory buildings, known as “crew blocks,” forming a compact and organized student community
Students live in shared rooms, typically housing 2–4 people per room. Each room is furnished with beds, wardrobes, desks, chairs, side tables, mattresses, pillows, blankets, and linens. Each block has its own kitchen area with electric stoves, sinks, and dining tables. Shared bathroom facilities including toilets and showers are also available. Some showers may have water heaters (boilers).
A laundry and bath complex with modern automatic washing machines serves the entire student body, along with canteen-style dining for 1,200 people, a café, and a medical center. The dormitories are part of a campus that includes an Olympic-class swimming pool, sports and fitness gyms, a mini-stadium, and a watersports station on the seafront.
The university administration maintains and strictly supervises the dorms, ensuring they meet sanitary, environmental, and fire safety standards. Maintenance services include furniture and linen provision, regular repairs, cleaning, and upkeep of communal areas.