National University of Ostroh Academy

National University of Ostroh Academy

Національний університет «Острозька академія»
Type	Public
Established	1576, 1994
Rector	I. D. Pasichnyk
Location	2 Seminarska Street, Ostroh , Ukraine
Website	www.oa.edu.ua

The National University of Ostroh Academy (Ukrainian: Національний Університет Острозька Академія, translit.: Natsional'nyi Universytet Ostroz'ka Akademiia) is a Ukrainian self-governed (autonomous) research university that was established in 1994 by the Presidential Decree of April 12, 1994. The university considers itself a continuation of the historic Ostroh Academy which was the first East-European higher school (dates back to 1576).^[2]

Ostroh is an ancient town. The first mention of it dates back to 1100; however, its fate was determined in the 14th century. It was then that the princes Ostrozkyis took possession of the town.

Representatives of this dynasty became famous as renowned political, cultural and religious figures. Over time, the town turned into a strong fortress that hosted centres of crafts and trade within its walls. In the 16th century, Ostroh became one of the largest Ukrainian cities. As a large and important city, Ostroh was marked on most Western European maps. At the same time, it began to be perceived as a key centre of cultural, educational and religious life.

Ostroh is called "The Volyn Athens" and mainly it is because of Ostroh Academy. The poet Penkalsky wrote in 1600: “The muse lodged in jail, even the god of art Apollo has left the island of Delos and moved to Ukraine”.^[3]

Ostroh Academy occupies the buildings of the former Rococo Capuchin monastery (built in 1779).^[4] This higher educational institution is the only elite university of Ukraine that is not located in a regional capital.