Foundation of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

petro mohyla, benefactor of kiev collegium.

the predecessor of today s national university of kyiv-mohyla academy 1 of oldest academic , theological schools amongst orthodox christian countries of eastern europe. academy first opened in 1615 school of kyiv bratstvo ( brotherhood ). when, in 1632, kiev pechersk lavra school , kiev brotherhood school merged formed kyiv s, , extension ukraine s, first institution of higher education. newly formed collegium , located in polish-lithuanian commonwealth given polish name mohylańska (latin: collegium kiyovense mohileanum) in honour of petro mohyla), key figure in bringing institution s foundation , proponent of modern western educational standards @ academy.

in 1658 under terms of treaty of hadiach collegium obtained status of academy , similar kraków academy - @ time polish-lithuanian commonwealth s premier university. later, in 1694, recognised academy russian tsar ivan v; later reaffirmed brother , successor, peter great. subsequently, during 17th , 18th centuries academy known education of russian , ukrainian political , intellectual elites; highly acclaimed throughout eastern europe , accepted students of classes , backgrounds territories of modern day ukraine, russia, poland, belarus, romania, serbia, bulgaria , greece. in particular hetmans – military leaders of famed zaporozhian cossacks – benefactors of , actively supported kyiv-mohyla academy. school flourished under term of hetman ivan mazepa, alumnus, , later able support foundation of number of other colleges built on model, such vasilian college in moldavia.

due exceptional quality of language program many of kyiv-mohyla academy s students continued education abroad, @ time meant many of them required convert orthodox faith roman catholicism. despite this, many returning alumni readopted orthodox religion, necessary in order attain positions in clergy or academia. sending many of graduates abroad kyiv-mohyla academy played vital role in facilitating transfer of knowledge eastwards cross europe , popularising renaissance both in ukraine , russia.