The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, also known as Mohyla Academy, is one of the oldest educational institutions in Eastern Europe and its history dates back more than four centuries. Find out about the uniqueness, periods of restoration, and interesting facts about the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

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Attention to historical heritage and educational institutions has always played an important role in the development of Ukraine's culture and national identity. One such prominent institution with a long and rich history is the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (KMA). September 19, 1992 is marked as an important day in its history, as it was on this day that the Academy resumed its activities after decades of restrictions and interruptions in its functioning.

We are going to tell you about the foundation, education, and important academic achievements of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Foundation of the Academy

The Academy was founded in 1632 during the reign of Petro Mohyla, an Orthodox metropolitan and prayer leader. It became one of the first educational institutions in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The Academy played a key role in spreading education and religious culture among the Cossacks.

The KMA also played an important role in preserving and developing the Ukrainian language, literature, and culture. It was a center where literary and religious works in the Ukrainian language were created and disseminated, contributing to its development.

In 1701, the KMA was granted the status of an academy by Pope Clement XI, which gave it the right to grant doctoral degrees. This made the KMA one of the first higher education institutions to grant doctoral degrees in Europe.

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The architectural beauty of the college

One of the main architectural gems of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is the central building called the Collegium. This building was erected in the Baroque style in the 18th century and is the oldest academic building in Kyiv that has survived to this day.

The Collegium impresses with its grandeur and beauty. Its façade is decorated with many ornamental details, and every single visitor can find something interesting and unique on it. The Baroque complexity and elegance of the architectural forms make this building a true masterpiece of art.

Syncretic education

The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was a unique educational institution of its time, combining Orthodox theology and philosophy with the humanities and natural sciences. This contributed to the development of many sciences and the creation of an educated intellectual elite.

Mohylianka was famous for its academic activities and research, which contributed to the dissemination of knowledge in Ukraine and abroad.

The academy educated many prominent scholars, writers, and public figures who made significant contributions to culture and science, including Hryhorii Skovoroda, Pavlo Halynskyi, and others.

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The history of restoration 

On September 19, 1992, a new chapter in the history of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Ukraine, began. After decades of repression and restrictions associated with the communist regime, the Academy reopened its doors to students and scholars, heading toward an independent future.

Founded in 1632 by brothers Petro and Ivan Mohyla, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy served as a center of higher education and spiritual development in Ukraine for centuries. However, in the 1920s, under Bolshevik rule, the academy was closed and its activities were severely restricted.

With the advent of Ukraine's independence in 1991, the opportunity to reopen the KMA opened up. On September 19, 1992, this historic university resumed its activities on the basis of the former Institute of Culture. This was an important step in preserving Ukraine's academic and cultural heritage.

Since its reopening, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has become one of Ukraine's leading educational institutions, providing quality education at the level of international standards. It is known for its academic reputation and contribution to the development of Ukrainian science, culture, and society.

Having cemented its role in a newly independent Ukraine, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy continues to be a symbol of free thought and education that contributes to the development of the country and its youth.

The importance of the Academy

The specificity of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was that it combined Orthodox religious education with humanities and science. This integration provided students with an understanding of both the spiritual and rational aspects of life, fostering deep and versatile figures within its walls.

Throughout much of its history, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was a place of formation for the spiritual and cultural elite. Graduates of the Academy became teachers, writers, church leaders, and civic leaders, making a great contribution to the development of Ukrainian culture and education. 

Today, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy remains an important center of education, science, and culture in Ukraine. Its educational programs meet modern requirements, integrating traditional and modern approaches to learning. 

The history of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and its contribution to the development of education and culture make it significant for the Ukrainian and world heritage. This unique educational institution has contributed not only to the preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage during the periods of its thousand-year history, but also to its active development and dissemination throughout the world.

The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy still remains a symbol of spiritual intelligence, a place where the best deep religious values, humanitarian education, and scientific achievements are found. It testifies to Ukraine's powerful and multifaceted contribution to the global heritage of education and culture.

We remind you! Ukrainian universities are annually included in the rankings of the most prestigious universities in the world. There are a number of well-known educational institutions across the country that are famous for their history and reputation. We tell you about the best universities in Ukraine that are internationally recognized here. 

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