The first higher educational establishment
Ukraine has long history of enlightening and education. The first schools appeared in Kiev in the 11th century under the rule of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. The first higher educational establishment – an “Academy” started its activity in Ostrog (Western Ukraine) in 1579, in 1615 one of the biggest in Europe Kiev-Mogila Academy was opened in Kiev; the next one was University in Lviv (1661). Three big Universities were opened in the 19th century: Kharkov (1804), Kiev (1834) and Odessa (1865). All of them greatly contributed to the scientific, cultural and spiritual life of Ukraine.
The red university
Kiev University was the cradle of the most advanced ideas; here the most famous intellectuals were trained. When it was founded it was given a very honorable name of Saint Vladimir – Kiev Prince, the baptizer of Kievan Rus. Since 1939 it bears the name of poet Taras Shevchenko who is often called the “father of Nation”. The dark red color of the building always attracts the attention of the tourists, and Kievans often call it “the red university”. In spite of some legends the color is explained by the classic style in which it was constructed in 1837-1842 by Academician Vikentyi Beretti. When the German troops were leaving Kiev in November 1943 they set fire to the building that ruined its 70%. The University has more premises all round the city, the closest one is the building of Humanitarian department, “the yellow building” round the corner along the boulevard.
Famous names of Kiev National University
To-day there are 14 academic departments and a number of attached institutes and scientific centers, total students enrolment is about 18 000. Among its graduates are many famous names such as: microbiologists Zabolotnyi and Bohomolets, historian Tarle, composer Lysenko, mathematician Schmidt, artist Ge, writer Bulgakov, philosopher Berdyaev , Mikhail Grushevskyi - the head of the Central Council of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (1917-1918), Vladimir Vinnichenko – the first Prime Minister of the Ukrainian People's Republic (1917–1918) and first Chairman of the Directorate of Ukraine (1918-1919), Leonid Kravchuk – the post-independence President of Ukraine (1991-1994), Mikhail Saakashvili – twice President of Georgia (2004-2013) , Peter Poroshenko – the current fifth President of Ukraine and many other notable people.
