The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to merge the National University “Odesa Law Academy” with the Odessa National University named after I. I. Mechnikov, IZ writes. This decision is part of the overall strategy for the consolidation of higher education institutions in Ukraine, the press center of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine reports.
The Ministry of Education and Science explained that the key reason for the merger is the demographic situation, which affects the number of students in higher education institutions. Over the past 15 years, the average number of students per university has decreased from 6.5 thousand to 3.5 thousand, which necessitated the need to optimize the network of universities. The department also emphasized that the merger is aimed at improving the quality of education, strengthening the material and technical base of institutions, and attracting additional investments in scientific and educational infrastructure.
The Ministry of Education assured that the reorganization will not affect the conditions of students' education. All students will continue their studies according to their programs, budget places will be preserved, and the cost of contract education will remain unchanged. At the same time, the rights of teachers and scientists will be protected, with the exception of the management of the academy, which included the president, rector, and vice-rectors.
The process of integrating the law academy into the Mechnikov ONU will continue throughout 2025. A special reorganization commission will be created to transfer property and resolve personnel issues, which will be headed by the rector of the ONU. The Ministry of Education and Science reminded that until 1997, the Law Academy was already part of Mechnikov University, and now its return to the structure of a classical university corresponds to European educational practice.
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