Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University (ONU), founded in 1865, is one of the oldest universities in Ukraine and the largest one in the Southern Ukraine. It is a comprehensive university, which supports educational program and research in fundamental sciences, while constantly renovating its approach, methodology and span of study programs. ONU currently have more than 7000 students on undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels as well as doctoral studies.

Guarding its rich heritage ONU continue to be an important educational and scientific hub of the Southern Ukraine, extending its partnership networks both nationally and international. It annually hosts several scientific conferences in various areas ranging from history to astrophysics. It is founder member of Magna Carta Universitatum a proud member of several educational and scientific alliances, like European University Association and European University Foundation.  The international partnership network includes more than 150 institutions worldwide. The University successfully contributes to numerous international projects including ones within Erasmus framework.

ONU has 12 faculties, and also several research centers. It offers more than 50 study programs for bachelor level and for master level and more than 20 PhD programs. The academic staff reaches the number of 900 people. The quality of its educational programs is confirmed by national and international rankings, including QS World University Ranking and Times Higher Education World University Ranking, which places ONU in top 10 higher education institutions in Ukraine.