Precarpathian National University

Precarpathian National University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Western Ukraine. Its history dates back to March 15, 1940, when Stanislav Teacher Training Institute was established. Later, in 1950, it was renamed Stanislav (since 1962 - Ivano-Frankivsk) Pedagogical Institute. In January 1971, the institution was renamed after a famous Ukrainian writer Vasyl Stefanyk by the decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR.

After the dissolution of the USSR, the Precarpathian University was founded on the base of Ivano-Frankivsk State Pedagogical Institute on August 26, 1992. On September 14, 2004, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine awarded the University the national status, by its decree # 204.

Currently, the University is a modern and powerful educational and scientific complex, which unites eight educational institutes, six faculties, three educational and consulting centers, one college, eleven research centers, Postgraduate Educational and Pre-university Training Center, Information Technology Center, the Center of Distance Learning and Knowledge Control, Teaching Management, Scientific and Research Department, Dendrological Park (Arboretum) and Botanical Garden.

The history of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University is the history of progress towards independence, national, cultural and spiritual revival. To some extent, it reflects the history of our country on the way to its statehood.

Galicia became a part of the USSR in September 1939. The positive outcome of this historical event was the unification of all Ukrainian lands in one state. It enabled the development of public education. At that time the Precarpathian region faced a severe shortage of teaching staff. Therefore, local authorities asked the government of URSR to establish a Teacher Training Institute and in January 1940 preparations for its opening began. As a result, on March 1 that year a new educational establishment opened its doors.