Ukrainian Medical Stomatological : Commitment to European traditions and values

dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Academy Historical background • Founded in 1921, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy (UMSA) is one of the oldest of Ukraine, training physicians and dentists. • The Academy started its activity as the odontological faculty of Kharkiv Medical Academy. • In 1967, Medical Stomatological Institute moved to Poltava. • In 1994, Poltava Medical Stomatological Institute received the highest IV accreditation level and the status of Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy. • Nowadays, it is the leading Ukrainian University with extensive clinical bases and strong scientific potential. OUR MISSION: • Training of highly qualified specialists for the health care system, development of fundamental and applied , provision of professional medical care to the population. Formation of highly educated, free, democratic and nationally conscious people.

OUR VISION: • Leadership in medical , research, training of highly qualified professionals in the field of health care, competitive in Ukraine and abroad, acquisition of practical skills of the highest quality, international cooperation programs and academic mobility. Visual identity and symbols of European universities

• European universities have their own symbols since the Middle Ages. • The emblem represents the Academy both in Ukraine and in the international arena. • Another important symbol is anthem, which is a solemn, sublime musical piece to honor state, international and national public organizations, educational and research institutions. • Apart from "Gaudeamus Igitur" (Latin: "So Let Us Rejoice"), which is a popular academic song in many European countries, often used as a formal graduation hymn, each university also has its own anthem, and the Academy is no exception. The Academy’s anthem always opens official meetings and ceremonial events.

International initiatives • The Academy sets the primary objectives to foster global outlook and commitment to international expertise among students and staff, as well as to create benign environment for intellectual, cultural and linguistic diversity. • The Academy is a full member of European University Association (EUA) and International Association of Universities (IAU). • The European University Association represents more than 800 institutions of higher education in 48 countries, providing them with a forum for cooperation and exchange of information on higher education and research policies. • The International Association of Universities comprises more than 650 higher education institutions and organizations in 130 countries. Its goal is to encourage cooperation among institutions of higher education worldwide.

Fundamental values of European universities

• Institutional autonomy as a core principle of university governance and advocating academic freedom as the single most important basis for meaningful academic research and teaching. • Research integrity and ethics as a key to strengthening universities’ credibility and consolidating their role in society. • Addressing societal challenges and contributing to sustainable development. • Nurturing a culture of openness, tolerance and dialogue by promoting diversity among students and staff.

Aims and priorities

• Promoting common European values as enshrined in article 2 of the Treaty on European Union: The EU is “founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of and respect for human rights” • Fostering a strengthened European identity by bringing together a new generation of Europeans, who are able to cooperate and work within different European and global cultures, in different languages, and across borders, sectors and academic disciplines. • Reaching a substantial leap in quality, performance, attractiveness and international competitiveness of European higher education institutions and contributing to the European knowledge economy, employment, culture, civic engagement and welfare. The Bologna Process

• The Academy follows the Bologna Process standards of education, successfully implementing the European Community Course Credit Transfer System in the academic process. • The Bologna declaration is committed to harmonizing the of the European higher education system. It enables academic mobility and cultural exchange. Academic mobility

• In 2013-2017, the Academy was a member of the Consortium “Alliance Medical Universities (MEDEA)” within the framework of Erasmus Mundus program. • The program ensured the academic mobility between 20 European medical universities. • In the frame of this project, students from UMSA studied at the leading universities of Europe: Paul Sabatier University (Toulouse, France), Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales, UK), Aristotle University (Thessaloniki, Greece), University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). • During and after the project period, the Academy developed effective cooperation with MEDEA partners, which enables further academic mobility of students, PhDs and staff at Paul Sabatier University (Toulouse, France), Aristotle University (Thessaloniki, Greece), and University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Magna Charta Universitatum

• The Magna Charta Universitatum (Great Charter of Universities) is a document to celebrate university traditions and encourage bonds among European universities. • It defines the key philosophical concepts of a university: academic freedom and institutional autonomy. • The charter was established by the University of Bologna and the European Rectors' Conference (now EUA) in 1988, to mark the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna, with 388 original signatories. • As of 2018, it has been signed by 889 universities from 88 countries, with Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy among them.

• In 2018, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy signed the Magna Charta declaration at the conference in Salamanca (Spain), celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum. • On September 18, 2018, Vice-Rector for Research and Development, Professor Igor Kaidashev attended this historical event and signed the Magna Charta declaration on behalf of Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy. • By joining the number of more than 900 signatories, the Academy testified its commitment to the fundamental principles and core academic values of European educational setting. • Academic dress is an integral part of official events and ceremonies at higher educational setting. The wearing of academic dress is a tradition that has persisted since the Middle Ages, when the first universities were founded. • Academic dress generally consists of a (also known as a robe) with a separate , and a (generally either a square academic cap, a tam, or a ) with a tassel.

• University members wear academic dress at graduation ceremonies and official meetings. • The assignment of colors to signify certain faculties is deeply symbolic and has an ancient history. For example, green, the color of medieval herbs, was adopted for . Some colors associated with the different academic disciplines at Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy are as follows: • Biology – Mustard • – • Medicine – Green For the Doctor’s degree, three bars of velvet are used across the sleeves. There are also velvet lapels along the entire length of the front of the gown, as well as the hood edging. The velvet trimmings represent the color of specialty. The inner lining of the hood also reflects the official colors of the University. • The Rector’s gown and cap are unique since their colors correspond to the official colors of the University. The Rector’s gown also has the fourth bar on each sleeve. • The official colors of the Academy are red and . • Red and gold (in heraldry termed in French as “gules” and “or”, respectively) are considered the most noble of all colors. They belonged to royalties since ancient times. • Red symbolizes victory, courage, bravery, valor, strength, and generosity. • Gold personifies the sun – the source of life and spiritual wealth. It traditionally symbolizes such qualities as Christian virtues, modesty, justice, mercy, philanthropy, and benevolence. • These colors vividly represent the noble mission of the Academy’s graduates: to help others, to combat diseases and save lives. • Academic dress is an indispensable element of graduation ceremonies at European universities and worldwide. • Bachelors and masters wear without a hood. • The tassel on the cap is golden for doctoral gowns; for bachelors, it is black; for masters, it is the color appropriate to the academic subject. • Master’s gown is trimmed along the collar with the specific color of the graduate’s specialty. • PhDs wear gowns with a hood and velvet trimming with the corresponding color of specialty. • By adhering to the abovementioned traditions, the Academy aspires to celebrate and encourage the fundamental values of the European scholarly community, when universities brought light to many. • It is essential to ensure the intellectual and professional continuity between the alma mater and generations to come; to foster genuine respect for the culture and of the University setting, developed for centuries and bestowed on us to cherish and preserve.