Academic Board Meeting: Festivities to Mark 211 Years the University

To mark the 211th foundation anniversary, Karazin University has held a grand meeting of the Academic Board with the Administration, Deans of the Schools, faculty members, representatives of the Student Self-Government and friends of the University participating.

University President Vil Bakirov told about the history of founding the University and Vasyl Karazin’s significant contribution to the development of Kharkiv as a scientific, educational and cultural center. “Kharkiv University has been bearing the name of the famous scientist, public figure, science enthusiast Vasyl Karazin since 1999. Thanks to his incredible efforts and personal energy, the University appeared in Kharkiv that used to be a small city at that time. Generally, about 10-15 people knew the word university in the early XIX century, but Mr. Karazin strongly promoted the idea of establishing the University in Kharkiv. Vasyl Karazin appealed to Emperor Oleksandr I with the request to endorse the initiative of the members of the nobility as to the project financing on founding the University. After receiving the ruler’s consent, the scientist immediately addressed the nobles on behalf of the emperor and persuaded them to support the project and appeared as patrons. So, thanks to great inspiration of educator Vasyl Karazin, the University was founded in 1804“.

The year 2015 bacame a jubilee for Karazin University — On January 29, it marked 210 years since its official opening. During the year, the University community has been celebrating the anniversary date oganizing scientific, educational and cultural activities, opening socially significant projects. In particular, there was held the Academic Boards Assembly with the participation of high-ranking guests who expressed their gratitude to the representatives of Karazin community for preserving many years educational and scientific traditions and augmenting achievements of the University what makes it a leader among national higher educational institutions; a charitable auction University. Art. Peace aimed at collecting funds to support wounded soldiers from the ATO zone; anniversary editions on the founder of the University and the history of Ukraine’s independence; opening of a memorial plaque and Art Gallery in honor of the famous painter, alumnus of the University, Henryk Siemiradzki.

An important event for the University and Ukraine in general became an opening of the new exhibition hall of the Museum of Archaeology — a unique ground for historical science in Ukraine. The idea of creating the project belongs to University President Vil Bakirov, and the Dean of the School of History, Serhii Posokhov.

During the Academic Board meeting, Vice-President Anatolii Udod, the Dean of the  chool of History, Serhii Posokhov, the Director of the Museum of Archaeology, Iryna Shramko, Chief Engineer Volodymyr Pakharenko, the Head of Technical Teaching Aids, Anatolii Yatskov, were awarded the honorary diplomas for their significant contribution to the Museum’s establishment. The highest University decoration — V. N. Karazin Medal was awarded to the author of the project of the Museum, designer, Olena Fondorko, an artist, the author of wall panel pictures and art paintings, Nataliia Sukhanova, the Dean of the School of International Economic Relations and Travel Business, Vadym Sidorov.

The meeting also included the report Contribution of Kharkiv University Scientists to the Development of Archaeological Science delivered by Iryna Shramko, that focused on the University scientists’ considerable role in the development of archaeological activity on the territory of Kharkiv oblast, the organization of large-scale archaeological expeditions by the results of which it was possible to collect a unique collection being stored at the University Museum of Archaeology today.

Throughout the history of its existence, the University has enriched and developed the scientific picture of the world, classical educational traditions, harmoniously combined the fundamental research with the education of the intellectual elite. Today, it fairly remains a flagship of educational and scientific vectors of the development not only of Kharkiv region, but also Ukraine in general.

Congratulations to the representatives of Karazin community on the holiday and wishes of prosperity! May the University keep on enriching educational, scientific and cultural space of Ukraine!