1946 the first foreign student – citizen of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jang So has been admitted to Odessa Medical Institute (previous name of ONMedU).

In general, in the history of education of foreign people in the Odessa State Medical University there are three stages. The first – from 1946 till 1961. – Training of doctors for the people’s democracy.

The second – from 1961 till 1991. – Training of medical personnel mainly to Asia, Africa and Latin America, and the third – since 1991 till now. This period of training on contract basis is interested by all foreigners, including citizens of the CIS. At the first stage of training was carried out on the basis of intergovernmental agreements, on the second – on the basis of intergovernmental, inter-party coordination and communication between NGOs and trade unions, the third stage is associated with the collapse of the USSR and the CIS inability to perform the former arrangement.

At the initial stage, a small number of students from European countries changed hardly the organizational structure of the educational process. Foreign students entered into existing groups and studied together with Soviet students.

The emergence of students from Asia, Africa and Latin America resulted in significant changes in the education of foreign students, so in 1964 has been created the dean dedicated to work with foreign students and later the Department of Russian Language (1969).

In 1979 the position of vise-rector for international relations has been introduced.

In 1990 the faculty is preparing graduates – foreign nationals in the internship, masters, postgraduate, doctoral studies. This year started training courses for foreign citizens.

In 1992 the preparatory department for foreign citizens, where students are trained in Russian and Ukrainian language, improve basic training in physics, chemistry and biology have been created.

After passing the final exams students receive state certificate and can be credited to the first course chosen specialty Odessa National medical university or other institution of higher education in Ukraine.

Since 1996 the university opened training of doctors English and later French study.

Foreign students acquire knowledge and skills of the newest medical technologies: endoscopic, laparoscopic, maxillofacial, plastic surgery, transplantation, tissue therapy, implant dentistry and others.

The priority task of the university at the present stage is to expand direct contacts with foreign countries based on mutual agreements, which is aimed at further integration into European and global health structures to learn best practices in medical education and scientific research development.

Since 1946 the faculty received training over 7,000 foreign citizens from 58 countries worldwide. Many graduates have become leading specialists, heads of medical institutions, regional services, educational institutions.

At present time at the university more than 2500 foreign students have the opportunity to use high-quality and modern information services, new student library, study books that are written by professors of the University and published in ONMedU. Continuing the tradition of educational work with foreign students in ONMedU operates a comprehensive approach to learning and international education fully developed personality, which aims to create a friendly atmosphere, good conditions for learning and a comprehensive and mutually enriching review of our countries, their history and culture. There are more than 7 thousand people with Medical degree.

The current educational work with foreign students has been repeatedly identified Diplomas Office for Youth Policy, Office of European Integration of Odessa City Council, diplomas Department on Nationalities and Religions of the Odessa Regional State Administration, as well as representatives of diplomatic corps in different countries.

• Deputy dean PhD, associate professor Filonenko Olena
• Deputy dean Assist. Vatan Maya
• Deputy dean Assist. Kirchev Vladislav