Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs celebrates 20 years since the Decree of the President of Ukraine № 125/2001 of March 2, 2001 granted the University of Internal Affairs the status of a National University. On this occasion, the University hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs: 20 years as a National University".

The conference was opened by the Rector of the University, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, Professor, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, General of Police of the Third Rank Valerii Sokurenko. He noted that “over the period of 20 years the university has come a long way, full of achievements and victories, fruitful and persistent work in training for law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, in scientific activities, strengthening the material and technical base of the university and bringing the educational process closer to world standards. The university has a lot to be proud of. We have trained more than 50,000 specialists who serve faithfully in various law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, hold senior positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police of Ukraine, public authorities and leading institutions of higher education contributing greatly to the development of science. Their honest and dedicated work increases the prestige of law enforcement agencies and the state of Ukraine in the world.

To have the status of a national university also means for us a high level of national consciousness, a true citizen of our country, a patriot and defender. Our university is not just a university that trains police officers, but police officers for Ukraine. And this plays a decisive role in our activities." Valerii Vasilyevich wished success, creative inspiration and fruitful work to all the participants of the conference.

The initiator of the university, the first Rector of the University, Academician of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, Professor, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, Colonel-General of Police Oleksandr Bandurka made a historical excursion into the history of creation of the first university of law enforcement training in Ukraine.

Greetings from the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the University Candidate of Law, Associate Professor Irina Efremova were conveyed to the conference by the first Vice-Rector of the University Doctor of Law, Associate Professor, Honored Educator, Colonel of Police Dmitro Shvets: “I am proud that from the first day of its foundation until today the university confidently holds the title of the leader of law enforcement education of our state, justifying the high trust of the state and the people of Ukraine."

The conference was attended by over 200 representatives of higher educational institutions of Ukraine and abroad, public authorities, institutions and organizations.

The university has a glorious past, a dignified present, a promising future. All its activity is a relentless movement forward. The university paves the way to new achievements and victories by its persistent daily work.