Christian Open University of Economics and Humanitarian Sciences (COU)

Rector - Rostyslav O. Kryzhanovsky

The COU was founded in Odessa in 1997. The founders were scientists and leaders in the Christian community. The university is registered at the Department of Law in the City and State of Odessa as an inter-denominational, spiritually defined higher educational institution. Its intention is to provide full-time, correspondence and distant learning for everyone who is interested in higher education. Every curriculum of the COU is built on Christian values. Students have the possibility to study subjects as Christian World View, Christian History and Philosophy, the Study of the Bible etc.
In the history of our country the COU is the first Ukrainian higher educational institution that offers students a high level professional education on a purposefully chosen spiritual background. With professional expertise our instructors prepare the students for their future successful work as multi-language interpreters, NGO and business administration managers, marketing specialists, PR managers, computer and vector graphics designers etc. The COU is the first public university in our country that is successfully introducing modern and state-of-the-art higher education concepts of other countries without getting into conflict with the Ukrainian law.
According to its statutes the COU is financed by donations and the generous sponsorship of friends and members of the institution. Teaching staff and students come from almost all Christian confessions and denominations.
The students come not only from every corner of the Ukraine but also from many other countries of the world.
During the last decades Christian universities obviously take the first three places in the world rating of higher educational institutions. Only to name some of the most prominent ones: Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Yale and Columbia. It seems to be symptomatic that also representatives of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine teach at the COU. The well balanced combination of Classical and academic education at the COU seems to be the ideal approach.
Already today it has an outstanding position and responsibility in the Center of Humanitarian Education of the Academy of Science of Ukraine. Among the lecturers of our institution there are seven members of academy, more than 25 professors, 59 doctors of science, and a big group of post-graduate students and talented practical workers. Thanks to signed agreements with the Moscow Humanitarian and Economy Institute, as well as with the Vienna International University, our university is focusing on world standards in higher education. Not only Ukrainian and Russian but also Western standards are guaranteed. Additionally it seems important to mention that our Master's and Bachelor's programs in Theology, Law, Economics, Psychology, and Journalism are accredited by the International Council of Higher Education in Zurich, Switzerland. As part of a group of higher educational Ukrainian institutions the COU had the privilege to participate in EDUCATION 2002 at the World Exhibition in Paris.
The subjects for students of the Institute of International Business at the COU and Vienna Department, as well as several subjects at the Philological faculty of the university are taught in English on a Western quality level. Several are taught by mother-tongue instructors.
Besides the educational departments the COU can also be proud of some scientific research institutes. Among them there is the Institute of Complex Problems of Marine Management and Scientific-Technological Progress. The institute can look back to more than twenty years of history.
For significant contributions to the revival of spirituality, sciences and culture our university has been awarded with the St. Sofia Order. For extraordinary services and achievements in the field of humanity and the preparation of professionals we also received the internationally highly respected Oxford «Millennium Award».
Nine graduates of our institution today work as specialists and masters in government, public, religious and commercial structures. Their professional and moral preparation for the job makes a big difference in our society. We believe that many others will follow.