About Comenius University
Description of the University:
Comenius University in Bratislava is the oldest and largest university in the Slovak Republic. It was founded on June 27th, 1919 and follows the university traditions of one of the first universities in Europe, the Academia Istropolitana, which was established in Bratislava by the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus in 1465. Comenius University is named after Johan Amos Comenius (in Slovak language Ján Amos Komenský, 28 March 1592–15 November 1670), teacher of nations, and an outstanding personality of world history. Establishment of the university has had exceptional importance regarding the progress of education, science and culture in Slovakia. It was the first institution that offered the highest possible education in the Slovak language. Since its creation, the university has been among the best universities in Slovakia and has become an internationally recognised centre of science and research.
The basic missions of the university are to acquire, develop and disseminate knowledge, as well as to facilitate access to it, especially for younger generations; to preserve and strengthen the position of the university as a scientific and educational institution of the highest international quality and to form high professional and human qualities of its graduates in the spirit of European democracy, humanism and tolerance, which are major values of a person of the 21st century.
As the most complex university of the classical type, it has always maintained the position of a national university. Comenius University has 13 faculties, many of which offer courses or even complete study programmes in English, as well as some in French and German too. Altogether, you can find more than 28000 students studying in the Bachelor’s, Master’s or Postgraduate programmes and nearly 1800 international students from 80 foreign countries. Every year, the university accepts nearly 8000 new students who can choose from 1300 study programs. Comenius University hosts the highest number of foreign students among all universities in our country.
Comenius University Mission Statement:
Comenius University’s fundamental mission is the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and its understanding.
As a UNIVERSITY, it is a scientific institution in which research opens new horizons, and at the same time enhances the transfer of knowledge.
As a UNIVERSITY, it distinguishes itself from other research centres by its autonomous statement of problems, by the indifferent character of fundamental research, by its focus on education and by the fact that it encompasses almost every scientific discipline within its walls.
As a UNIVERSITY, it distinguishes itself from other educational institutions by the fact that its teaching is based on and nourished by its own research and world-wide scientific knowledge, as well as by its interdisciplinary approach to solving problems.
As a UNIVERSITY, it defines its tasks and priorities autonomously, and the members of its academic community enjoy academic freedom in the practice of their duties.
As a UNIVERSITY, it is a guarantee of freedom and democracy, not only within its walls. One of its fundamental duties is to broaden and disseminate this mission in the outside environment as well.
As a UNIVERSITY, it is its duty to defend its academic freedom and autonomy.
As a higher education institution which aspires to be a member of leading European centres of academic excellence and as an INTERNATIONALLY ORIENTED UNIVERSITY, the university's core strategic objectives are:
· to sustain and develop its identity as a research and teaching institution of the highest international quality;
· to provide an outstanding educational environment, supporting study across a broad range of academic disciplines;
· to produce graduates, not only with high personal and professional achievement, but also with high human qualities;
· to enhance the scientific and cultural vision of society as well as its economic well-being.
As a CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE, the University pays special attention to the steady evaluation of its research and teaching to ensure that its students are led by outstanding experts - researchers and lecturers.
As the greatest, oldest and most outstanding NATIONAL UNIVERSITY of the Slovak Republic, Comenius University values its intellectual and universal relationship with the Slovak nation where it has its roots, and at the same time provides the foundation from which it will continue to look toward the widest international horizons, enriching both itself and Slovakia.
Chronology:
1919 | Foundation of Comenius University, foundation of the Faculty of Medicine |
1921 | Foundation of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Philosophy |
1939 | Comenius University renamed The Slovak University |
1940 | Foundation of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and incorporation of the Catholic Faculty of Theology into the framework of the University (1940−1946) |
1946 | Foundation of the Faculty of Education (1946−1953) |
1952 | Foundation of the Faculty of Pharmacy (pharmacy had been studied at the Faculty of Medicine from 1939) |
1952 | Foundation of the Faculty of Geology and Geography (1952−1959) |
1954 | Comenius University returned to its original name |
1960 | Foundation of the Institute of Physical Education and Sports (since 1965 the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports) |
1964 | Foundation of the Faculty of Education in Trnava (transferred to Bratislava in 1986) |
1969 | Foundation of the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin |
1980 | Foundation of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics |
1990 | Incorporation of the Evangelical Theological Faculty and the Roman Catholic Theological Faculty |
1991 | Foundation of the Faculty of Management |
2002 | Foundation of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences |
