THE CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT Mission of the University The University in the Changing World The University as a Regional Center of Culture, Science, and Education Ahead to the New Quality of the University The Group of Authors

Taurida National University was established in 1918, in the turmoil of the Civil War. Since then, it has had a difficult, but glorious way. The Order of the President of Ukraine of August 26, 1999 changed not only its name, giving the university national status, but also declared its new mission.
First of all, it includes the restoration of the cultural and educational university traditions, forming new image of Ukraine and a new model of living. The entire educational system of the University must be modernized according to the principles of humanism, democratization, practicality, continuity, adaptability.
The main mission of the University today is to grow into the center of communication.

1. International Links. The development of international links ensures the improvement of the scientific and pedagogical potential of the University and also helps in getting financial assistance from different funds and institutions. TNU is to establish its branches in the Black Sea countries, found the Ukrainian and Russian language centers in Istanbul and Jerusalem, take part in the efforts of archeological centers in Athens and Ankara.
We need international legalization of the diploma of TNU.
2. The University in Global Informational Space.The main trend of development consists in building the Virtual University in Internet

1. Preservation, Accumulation and Development of Scientific Potential in the Region. The division between research and development system and educational system should be overcome to make the University open to the needs of society. We need to support both applied researches linked to the regional problems and fundamental researches. One of the major trends of scientific researches in TNU we see in publishing The Crimean Encyclopedia which may combine the efforts of all University departments and subdivisions.
2. Solving Regional Problems. The University is to provide the wide spectrum of educational and associated services to the region and community. We also need create scientific divisions aiming at development of concepts and programs for stable growth of Crimea. It should be borne in mind that the University is an important employer in the community.

1. New Level of Specialist Training. We need open new prospective specialties, use widely modern technologies, encourage studying foreign languages, improve curriculum.
2. Professional Skills. The status of National University set tasks to train specialists due to present-day demands. We need encourage specialists to learn new methods of teaching using modern information technologies, study foreign languages. One of the main criteria of effective work is publications in leading scientific journals, edition and implementation of teaching materials, mastering foreign languages.
3. Consolidation of Material and Technical Basis. It should be favorable for our staff to form various enterprises on TNU basis to develop the University's Material and Technical basis. First of all we are to expand the Scientific Library of TNU and create all-Crimean computer catalogue.
4. Structural Development of the University. Main tasks are maximum compliance of the leaders with their duties, application of self-supporting activity of divisions, introduction of modern managerial technologies.
5. Formation of Cultural Traditions. It is very important to cultivate majors in sports and arts, making them a visiting card and an object of special proud. We also are to implement a wide range of social programs, aiming at assisting of needy among University's students and pensioners, disabled and singles with children.

Nikolay Bagrov,professor, rector of the TNU
Vladimir N. Berzhanskiy, professor
0. A.Gabrielian, doctor of philosophy
V.К.Kalin, professor
F. V. Lazarev, professor
V.P.Kazarin,professor
Viktor Milukov, assistant professor
А.N.Rudyakov, doctor of philology
V.F.Sharapa,professor
А.D. Shorkin, doctor of philosophy