Our History

1948

The creation of a higher polytechnic institution in Sumy is connected with the development of the Sumy Machine-Building Plant. At that time, most engineering management positions were held by specialists with secondary special education. In July 1948, a Training and Consulting Center was founded on the basis of this enterprise. It led to future construction of a powerful institution. In September, the first 30 students started correspondence classes.

1958

In 1958, in connection with the organization of the Ukrainian Correspondence Polytechnic Institute, the training and consulting point was transferred to its structure.

1960-1971

In May 1960, the Sumy General Technical Faculty of the Ukrainian Correspondence Polytechnic Institute was established. Vasyl Popov was appointed its first dean. Since 1962, the faculty was headed by Oleksandr Korol (PhD), and since 1965 – Oleh Inozemtsev (associate professor). On 11 November 1965, the general technical faculty was transferred to the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. In 1966, it was reorganized into the Sumy Branch of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute as part of two faculties with the first full-time enrollment. Since 1967, the educational institution was managed by Volodymyr Maliushenko (PhD, associate professor). The first graduation took place in 1971. From June 1971 to March 1972, Oleksandr Movchan performed the duties of the branch director.

At that time, the Educational Building and Dormitory 1 were put into operation, and soon – two laboratory facilities (A and B).

1972-2004

Since March 1972, Ihor Kovaliov (PhD, professor) was the branch director, later its rector (till 2004). Under his leadership, the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute branch turned into a modern educational institution with a wide range of scientific and educational activities, developed infrastructure and a deepened humanitarian component. By the academic council decision, I.O. Kovaliov was awarded the titles “Honored Professor of Sumy State University” and “Honorary Rector of Sumy State University”.

The institution acquired a systematic development of its infrastructure. The general development plan was approved, the funds of the branch ministries were attracted for the creation of a material base. In 1981, 2 buildings of Technical School 1 (now – the T and M buildings) were handed over to the branch from the Khimprom Plant. Also. a two-story dining hall was built.

In 1984, the main 14-story educational and administrative building (H), Dormitory 2, garages and warehouses, a ski base were constructed. Dormitory 3 (1986), Central Building (1988), a rowing base, library (1989) were completed.

Scientific work has developed. In particular, the staff of the Department of Chemical Production Machines and Apparatus under the leadership of Borys Kholin (DSc, professor), at the level of the best world samples, developed and for the first time in the country implemented granulators for the production of complex mineral fertilizers at several chemical plants.

Wide recognition of results in dynamics and vibration reliability of centrifugal machines, hermetic engineering had the scientific school of Volodymyr Martsynkovskyi (DSc, professor).

A group of scientists led by Oleh Balatskyi (the Department of Economics, DSc, professor) developed the first methodology for determining the economic efficiency of environmental improvement.

The student movement also developed. Polytechnic construction crews worked on new buildings in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Siberia, and Central Asia.

By Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR №299 as of 08.10.1990, the Sumy Physical and Technical Institute was established on the basis of the Sumy Branch of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. It became a higher educational institution of engineering and technical direction with the ideology of prioritizing the fundamental component of specialist training. The entity aspired to transformation into a classical university.

In 1991, the first economic and specializations opened. In 1992, we have the Faculty of Economics and its own postgraduate course. In 1994 the doctoral course appeared too. The training of foreign students began.

In 1992, a separate campus of the Faculty of Medicine was put into operation. Dormitories 4 and 5 were created. The first admission of medical students took place.

By Resolution №646 of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers as of 13 August 1993, Sumy State University was established.

In 1993–2004, we launched new curricula: IT, mechanics and mathematics, translation, law, journalism, marketing, ecology, chemical technology, material science, energy management, power engineering, quality, standardization and certification. The Shostka and Konotop Institutes were created. Four technical schools, colleges, and the Military Institute for Missile Troops and Artillery were included.

2004-2020

In August 2004, the university was headed by Anatolii Vasyliev (PhD, professor). The institution developed as a scientific, educational and industrial complex. It became a high-tech university. It aims at international research and advanced computer technologies.

Teaching of certain specialties in English was been introduced. The training of specialists was significantly expanded. New curricula emerged: Administrative Management, Business Administration, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, Public Service, Intellectual Property, Information and Communication Technologies, History and Archeology, Cybersecurity, Media Communications, Medical and Preventive Care, Nursing, Management of Socio-Cultural Activities, International Economy, International Law, Pediatrics, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Stock Market Activity, Psychology, Advertising and Public Relations, Secondary Education (Physics), Social Work, Sports, Dentistry, Telecommunications, Management of Innovative Activities, Project Management, Management of Financial and Economic Security, Physical Rehabilitation, Chemistry. Postgraduate and doctoral studies were significantly developed.

In 2008, by order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the university was granted the right to implement a large-scale experiment in distance education. Also, Sumy State University was one of the first in Ukraine to create a system of internal assurance of the higher education quality. Blended learning was engaged.

In 2009, the SumDU periodical “Journal of Nano and Electronic Physics” was indexed by Scopus.

In 2012, the university was represented for the first time by students as part of the Olympic team of Ukraine in London (Taras Shelestyuk – bronze medalist in boxing). At the XXII Winter Olympic Games (2014), students of Sumy State University Vita and Valia Semerenko, Yuliya Dzhyma won gold medals in the biathlon race and a bronze medal in the biathlon sprint. The university took the position of the unchanging sports leader among Ukrainian higher education institutions.

In 2012, the N building was created. The Shostka Institute was modernized. The UNIVER recreation facility was established.

In 2013, Sumy State University was the first among Ukrainian institutions to undergo an external audit by one of the most prestigious global QS Ratings (5 stars). In 2014, it was rated in the top group of 701-750 leading world universities and on the 4th-5th position among higher education institutions of Ukraine.

The years 2015-2016 went down in history with the successful process of merging the Sumy State University and the Ukrainian Academy of Banking into a single educational institution.

Since 2015, the journal "Marketing and Innovation Management" has been indexed by Web of Science.

In 2017, the university was included in the Times Higher Education (THE) rating for the first time. In 2018, the Impact Rankings identified Sumy State University among the top 300 universities in terms of socio-economic impacts.

On 16 April 2018, by order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Sumy State Institute of Mineral Fertilizers and Pigments was terminated by joining the university as a structural unit.

In 2019, the second phase of the N building construction was completed. The only powerful beach volleyball complex in Ukraine was created. The first educational and scientific laboratory of augmented and virtual reality in Ukraine was opened.

In 2020, for the first time, Sumy State University was ranked in the main THE Rating on the 501th–600th position (the 1st-2nd place among higher education institutions of Ukraine). Among young universities, the university was rated as the 150th. In Business and Economics, it acquired the top 401–500 position, which is the 2nd place among Ukrainian institutions. SumDU was also highly evaluated according to SCIMago, Webometrics, U-Multirank, GreenMetric, etc.

For the first time, the curricula “Psychology” (bachelor's degree), “Applied Mathematics” (master's degree) and “Economics” (PhD) received the exemplary status.

On the basis of the SumDU Engineering College, a Powerful In-House Production Center for Dual Education was created.

After the end of the rector term, Anatolii Vasyliev was awarded the title “Honorary Rector of Sumy State University” and “Honorary Citizen of Sumy”. Besides, he got a lifetime scholarship “For Outstanding Services in the Field of Higher Education”. His activity at the university continues. He is the Academic Council Chairman, the Chairman of the Council for Ensuring the Higher Education Quality, etc.

2021

Since February 2021, the university has been headed by Vasyl Karpusha (PhD, associate professor). Previously, he had been working as the SumDU First Vice-Rector for over 15 years.

Already in March 2021, according to the results of the state certification of scientific activity in a five-year period, the university entered the highest qualification group in most scientific areas. That is the highest indicator among higher education institutions of Ukraine.

We started preparing bachelors in Software Engineering (Cybersports and Development of Computer Games), Secondary Education (English Language and Literature, History) and Tourism. Also, we have new specialties for masters (Political Science, Organizational Psychology).

The number of curricula with the exemplary status has increased (bachelor – Public Health; PhD – Biology, Journalism, Medicine as well as Finance, Banking and Insurance.

2022

Since the war beginning on 24 February 2022, the university kept working.

The Medicine curriculum received international accreditation. Within the Twinning Initiative, we started a large-scale cooperation with the University of Liverpool, which is one of the top universities in Great Britain. We raised grant projects: Horizon Europe, NATO Science for Peace and Security, etc.

THE ranks SumDU on the first position among higher education institutions of Ukraine. It entered the top group of 401-500 best universities in the world. The SumDU positions in individual branches of this rating are the highest in Ukraine. Business and Economics – the top group of 251-300 among universities in the world. Engineering and Physical Sciences – positions 301-400. In the THE Impact rating, the university holds among the top 301–400 of the best universities in the world and the first among higher education institutions of Ukraine.

2023

The Journal of Engineering Sciences and the East Ukrainian Medical Journal are indexed by Scopus.

For the first time, SumDU entered the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in Social Sciences (top 501-600) and ranks the first among higher education institutions of Ukraine.

Sumy State University topped the ranking table of higher education institutions of Ukraine. It holds the 580th place in the World Rankings of the Best Universities for International Students published by the Study Abroad Aide web portal (South Korea).

The university keeps developing…