HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC THEORY,

MACRO- AND MICROECONOMICS

The present-day Department of Economic Theory, Macro- and Microeconomics of the Faculty of Economics at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv is one of the oldest educational and research units among classical universities in Ukraine. Its origins trace back to the Department of Political Economy and Statistics, established at Saint Volodymyr University in 1842 as part of the first Historical and Philological Division of the Faculty of Philosophy.

The department’s more than 180-year history encompasses the following main stages:

1. Pre-Revolutionary Period (1842–1917): As a Unit at Saint Volodymyr University

From 1846 to 1850, the Department of Political Economy and Statistics was headed by the distinguished economist I. V. Vernadsky. Following him, from 1850 to 1869, the department was led by M. Kh. Bunge—an eminent scholar, organizer of science, statesman, and public figure. Bunge also served as Rector of Kyiv University (1859–1862, 1871–1875, 1878–1880), and later as Minister of Finance (1881–1886) and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Russian Empire (1887–1895).

Thanks to the efforts of M. Kh. Bunge and his successors, the Department of Political Economy and Statistics gradually became a leading center for the advancement of economic science and education. Courses in economic disciplines were taught by prominent Ukrainian scholars such as H. D. Sydorenko, H. M. Tsehanovetsky, M. I. Ziber, A. Ya. Antonovych, V. Ya. Zheleznov, D. I. Pikhno, A. D. Bilimovych, S. M. Bulgakov, K. H. Voblyi, M. M. Tsytovych, and others.

Beginning in 1863, in accordance with the university statute, the Department of Political Economy and Statistics (renamed in 1909 as the Department of Political Economy) became part of the Faculty of Law of the university.

1. The Soviet Period (1917–1991): As a Part of the Faculty of Economics

Before the Faculty of Economics was established at Kyiv University, the Department of Political Economy acted as a university-wide department. In 1944, it became the foundation for the new Faculty of Economics. In 1944–1945, the acting head of the Department of Political Economy was Z.P. Shulha; in 1946–1947, it was headed by D.F. Virnyk; and in subsequent years, the department was led by O.O. Nesterenko (1947–1948) and A.Yu. Shevchenko (1948–1953).

From 1953 to 1971, the Department of Political Economy was headed by Professor L. Kukharenko, Doctor of Economic Sciences. Under his leadership, the department experienced a period of dynamic growth and intellectual vitality. A distinguished scholar, accomplished organizer, and creative thinker, Professor Kukharenko made a substantial contribution to the development of Ukrainian economic science and played a pivotal role in strengthening the academic standing of both the department and the faculty throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Leonid Kravchuk (1934–2022), the first President of independent Ukraine, graduated in 1958 from the Faculty of Economics, for which the Department of Political Economy served as the degree-awarding department.

In 1971–1987, the Department of Political Economy was headed by Professor I. S. Stupnytskyi, Doctor of Economic Sciences—a distinguished scholar, educator, and prominent organizer of economic science and education. From 1967 to 1985, Professor Stupnytskyi also served as Dean of the Faculty of Economics. Under his leadership, the department developed into a major center for economic teaching and research. Among the distinguished Ukrainian economists who worked at the Department were the founders of recognized scientific schools, Professor R. Kh. Vasylieva and Professor H. N. Klymko, both Doctors of Economic Sciences. From 1987 to 1988, the Department was headed by Professor I. S. Yastremskyi, Doctor of Economic Sciences.

 

III. The Period of State-Building and Economic Reform in Ukraine (1991–present): As a Department of the Faculty of Economics

The early 1990s marked a new and significant stage in the department’s development. In 1992, the Department of Political Economy of the Faculty of Economics was reorganized into the Department of Economic Theory and National Economic Management, reflecting the evolving priorities of economic education and research in an independent Ukraine. In 1998, the department underwent a further transformation, becoming the Department of Economic Theory. At that time, it was joined by the staff of the Department of Economic Theory and Business Practice, headed by Professor A. A. Chukhno, Doctor of Economic Sciences – the eminent Ukrainian scholar, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Throughout these years, the department was led by prominent scholars, Doctors of Economic Sciences, whose leadership ensured its academic growth and contribution to the development of national economic thought. The department’s heads were Professor V. P. Nesterenko (1988–1998), Professor P. S. Yeshchenko (1998–1999), and Professor P. M. Leonenko (1999–2003).

From 2003 to 2015, the Department of Economic Theory was headed by V. Bazylevych – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Honoured Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology, Laureate of the Tuhan-Baranovskyi Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (2003–2017).

Under the leadership of V. Bazylevych, a powerful scientific school of theoretical economists was formed. This school focused on developing and implementing the latest methodological approaches in the study of macro- and microeconomics, the principles of economic system transformation, the metaphysical essence of economic knowledge, the contradictions of globalisation, the theoretical aspects of the intellectual property market’s development, the economic nature of insurance, and new paradigmatic approaches in historical-economic research. Professor V. Bazylevych was the founder and scientific editor of the modern educational series Classic University Textbook and the scholarly monograph series Illustrious Figures.

In 2014, the Department of Economic Theory was renamed the Department of Economic Theory, Macro- and Microeconomics. From 2016 to 2022, it was headed by N. Hrazhevska – Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology, and Laureate of the Tuhan-Baranovskyi Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Now, the department’s staff reflects its strong scientific, intellectual, and educational capacity. Never before has it had such a highly qualified and accomplished team. The department includes 21 members, among them eight Doctors of Economic Sciences, one Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, ten Candidates of Economic Sciences, and two Doctors of Philosophy (PhD).

This academic unit takes pride in its distinguished scholars, including four Laureates of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology (Dr Econ. Sci., Prof. T.V. Haidai; Dr Philos. Sci., Prof. V.V. Ilyin; Dr Econ. Sci., Prof. A.O. Maslov; Dr Econ. Sci., Prof. O.P. Nesterenko); a Laureate of both the State Prize of Ukraine in Education and the M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Dr Econ. Sci., Prof. T.V. Haidai); an Honoured Economist of Ukraine (Dr Econ. Sci., Prof. A.I. Ihnatiuk); and an Honoured Worker of Education of Ukraine (Dr Econ. Sci., Prof. V.L. Osetskyi).

The results of the department’s educational, scientific, and pedagogical work testify to its powerful human resources potential, which enables it to creatively address new, forward-looking challenges in classic university education and to meet the demands of the modern globalised educational environment.

Since 2023, the Department of Economic Theory, Macro- and Microeconomics has been headed by Professor Alina Khodzhaian, Doctor of Economic Sciences and a distinguished graduate of the Faculty of Economics. Under her leadership, the department continues to strengthen its research potential and academic reputation.

Professor Khodzhaian’s research interests focus on pressing issues of state economic policy, national economic competitiveness, economic security, and the de-shadowing of the economy. Her scholarly achievements are reflected in more than 150 scientific, educational, and methodological publications, including eight monographs and two textbooks, which are widely used in academic and professional community.

Professor Khodzhaian brings extensive experience in managing the educational process and coordinating methodological work. She has served as the guarantor of the International Business educational programme (2017–2019), the guarantor of the Economics and Economic Policy educational and scientific programme at the Master’s level (since 2024), a member of the Scientific and Methodological Commission of the Faculty of Economics (2019–2023), and an expert in the accreditation of educational programmes for the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (since 2021).

Today, Professor Khodzhaian applies her scientific, pedagogical, and managerial expertise to developing a strong talent pipeline and advancing the department’s research potential. She remains committed to upholding high standards of educational quality, honouring the distinguished traditions of Kyiv University while responding to the evolving challenges of our time.

The department’s activities over its 180-year history demonstrate the growing realization of its creative, educational, and research potential. The academic staff have made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian economic science and education, the dissemination of economic knowledge, the training of highly qualified specialists, business practice, and the reform of socio-economic relations.

The Department of Economic Theory, Macro- and Microeconomics continues to play a leading role within the structure of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and its Faculty of Economics, as well as in the broader system of Ukrainian theoretical economic science and classical university economic education.

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