For a quarter of a century, students have been studying at the Ukrainian Humanitarian Institute, a Christian higher education institution, in a resort area near Kyiv. Founded in 1999, UHI began its operations on October 3 with three licensed programs and fifty students. At that time, they could study Foreign Economic Activity Management, Finance, and English Language and Literature. UGI became the first Christian university in Ukraine.
In 2000, it received international accreditation from the Adventist Accreditation Association. Also, the number of specialties increased at the university. Students were able to study Marketing. However, this program is now closed.
In 2001, the institute received a license for the specialty “Philosophy (Religious Studies),” but enrollment in this specialty took place only four years later. Nevertheless, it was this specialty that allowed pastors to receive formal higher education. And since student life is also very important, the same year the theater under the direction of Olga Styrova began operating. Although its leaders and members have changed since then, the theater continues to operate today.
In 2003, the first bachelor’s degree program was held in Foreign Economic Management, Finance, and English Language and Literature. The University also received licenses to train specialists in the same specialties. Macroeconomic analysis courses were also organized under the guidance of Igor Makarenko in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.
In 2005, the institute was reorganized into a private educational institution, and five years later, the Ukrainian Humanities Institute and the Theological Seminary merged to form the Ukrainian Adventist Center for Higher Education.
Throughout its activities, the UGI team has been constantly working to improve its programs and to respond to requests from applicants. Thus, in 2012, the specialty “Journalism” was opened to train specialists, including those for the Nadiia media group. A year later, students majoring in Physical Education and Economic Cybernetics began their studies. And in 2018, the Design and Psychology study programs were opened. The following year, Primary Education and Rehabilitation and Massage were added. Today, the Ukrainian Humanitarian Institute offers 12 specialties.
Over the past twenty-five years, living conditions on campus have also improved significantly. We built a dormitory for girls and a multifunctional complex with two thousand seats. The administrative complex, central building, library, and men’s dormitories were reconstructed. A separate building for the Wisdom Academy school is currently under construction.
A separate page in the history of the UGI was 2022, when Bucha was under occupation. The students were evacuated in the first days of the full-scale invasion of Chernivtsi and the training was organized in a remote format. More than a hundred adults and children from neighboring towns found shelter on the territory. Thanks to God’s guidance and the dedication of the team, we managed to evacuate everyone to safety. Subsequently, after Bucha was liberated from the Russian occupiers, the educational institution resumed its activities and students returned to full-time education.
The celebration of the UGI anniversary began with a solemn Saturday service, where those present could pay tribute to God for what the staff of the educational institution has been doing over the years. The celebration was attended by representatives of the Board of Founders and honored guests. In particular, Stanislav Nosov, the head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ukraine, wished that the institute would become a university next year. He also noted that science, combined with faith in God and reliance on His will, is the best foundation on which to establish an educational institution.
The leaders of the Adventist Church in the regions also congratulated the UGI. In particular, Lviv Vertilo, head of the SDA church in eastern Ukraine and former vice-rector for social and educational work, wished that the potential for spiritual and professional growth available to the institute be used to the maximum.
In his sermon, the secretary of the Adventist Church in Ukraine, Volodymyr Velechuk, compared the 25-year history of the UGI to the completion of the wall around Jerusalem after the Israelites returned from the Babylonian captivity. After all, these two events marked a certain milestone that has been overcome and now it is time to summarize the results. Volodymyr also thanked those who initially obeyed the call of God and founded the educational institution and emphasized that without God’s will, UGI would not have started its activities. Therefore, he wished the entire team to continue to follow this path.
After the spiritual instructions, the audience had the opportunity to enjoy music. The student choir under the direction of Dana Domanska performed the cantata “Sanctuary” by composer Joseph Martin. Through the songs that sounded from the stage, more than fifty young people expressed their desire and hope that very soon they would be at home – in a place where there will be no evil and grief. The choir’s activities began in 2000, and since then, the glorification of God through choral singing has been an integral part of the students’ lives. Currently, in addition to the mixed choir, the school also has a men’s choir, which is also directed by Dana Domanska.
In the evening, the guests were treated to a festive program, where they were introduced to the history of the school. Greetings were delivered by the former leaders of the UGI: the first rector Anatoliy Zhalovaha, as well as the heads of the educational complex Volodymyr Tkachuk and Vasyl Kostiuk, who are currently abroad.
The event was attended by the mayor of Bucha, Anatoliy Fedoruk. He congratulated the staff and students and presented them with a special commemorative sign. He also joined the wishes of UGI to become a university as soon as possible. It is worth noting that it was thanks to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Institute that Bucha once received the status of a city. Throughout this time, employees and students have been actively involved in various city initiatives and volunteering. Also, many UGI graduates have become residents of Bucha and apply their professional skills to the development of the city.
At the celebration, UGI teachers were also presented with letters of appreciation from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. A cooperation agreement was signed between the Institute and the Kyiv Baptist Seminary, which became a new level in chaplaincy ministry in Ukraine.
Currently, the campus offers education at all levels. There is a kindergarten called Mudriyko, a private school called the Academy of Wisdom, and the Ukrainian Humanities Institute.
We are grateful to the Lord for His protection and guidance over the years. We are also grateful to our defenders, thanks to whom we can continue to educate the younger generation. The Ukrainian Humanitarian Institute is currently doing its best to improve the quality of the educational services it provides. And according to UGI Rector Lyudmyla Shtanko, the global goal for the next year will be to reorganize the institute into a university, which is the dream of the institution’s staff.
Photo by Angelina Kidan
