Text 1. The National Aviation University
The National Aviation University (NAU) is one of the largest aviation higher educational establishments in the world. Dozens of thousands of specialists working both in Ukraine and more than 100 other countries were trained there. Among them there are well-known scientists, industry leaders, state and military figures. They are at the head of airlines, factories and design bureaus, various organizations and services, without which neither aviation nor other sectors of economy can function successfully. At present the university provides training to 26 thousand students including foreign students from 40 countries of the world. Scientific and pedagogical schools established at the university make it possible to train not engineering specialists only, but economists, lawyers, environmentalists, translators, psychologists, sociologists as well.
The university dates back to August 1933, when the Aviation Faculty separated from Kyiv Polytechnical Institute and Kyiv institute of Civil Air Fleet emerged. During the years of its existence this educational institution has become a real cradle of aviation specialists, having trained thousands of aviation specialists for both Ukraine and other countries of the world. Powerful scientific schools in the Fields of management, mechanics, electronics, electrical engineering, material science, computer science, etc. have been created at the university. The university takes pride in its graduates, who include the welt-known scientist and designer of space-rocket systems V. Chelomey, a twice Hero of Socialist Labour, professor T.Bashta, academicians O.Kukhtenko and G.Pukhov, corresponding members of the Academy of Sciences O.Penkov and B.Malynovsky, professors A. Hrokholsky and L.Ilnytsky and others. Many graduates continue working at their native university, adding to its glory. Owing to the creative work of their teams, unique devices, control systems for air and space-rocket engineering and other advanced technologies have been developed testifying to the high scientific and pedagogical potential of the university.At present the university is led by N.Kulick, a doctor of engineering sciences, a professor.
During its history the university has changed several names: Kyiv Institute of Civil Air Fleet (from І933 till 1965), Kyiv Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers (from 1965 till 1994), Kyiv International University of Civil Aviation (from 1994 till September 2000). Because of the national and international recognition of the university's achievements and its great contribution to the development of national higher education and science, the university was awarded the status of National Higher Educational Institution by the Decree of the President of Ukraine L.Kuchma in September 2000.
NAU is the only higher educational establishment in Ukraine where two successfully operating European Regional Centres of ICAO intended for training state inspectors in flight safety, aircraft airworthiness and aviation security personnel are based. The university is guided by the ICAO standards and recommended practices in its activities.