The sources of the University are the aviation courses organized by Kyiv polytechnicians at the end of XIX century, and its independent history began in 1933: by the Decision of the USSR Folk Commissars Council the Kyiv Aviation Institute was founded on the base of Aviation Faculty of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
Later on its name changed: Kyiv Institute of Civil Air Force (1947), Kyiv Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers (1965), Kyiv International University of Civil Aviation (1994), National Aviation University (2000).
During 77-years history more than 70000 highly skilled specialists were trained in the walls of the higher aviation educational institution. Among them are well-known scientists, leaders of aviation companies, enterprises, organizations and establishments, that provide flights of air ships, their service and repair, carrying passengers and loads.
There are things and persons that the University’s team can be proud of. Members-Correspondents of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences М. Golego, О. Aksionov; Meritorious Science and Techniques Worker of Ukraine P. Nazarenko, Lenin Prize laureates, Professors V. Krylov, G. Maikopar, State Prize laureate, Professor Y. Parkhomovskiy, President of aviation company “International Airlines of Ukraine” V. Potemskiy, President of Transport Clearing House of Russian Federation S. Illichiov and other well-known science and techniques workers of many countries studied at the University. University’s pride is its graduate, the outstanding scientist in the sphere of aviation and cosmonautics, General Designer of space-rocket systems, twice Hero of Socialist Labor, Lenin and State Prizes laureate, Academician V. Chelomei.
Powerful scientific schools in the spheres of Management, Mechanics, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science and Computer Engineering are founded at the University. Their founders were Professor T. Bashta, Academicians O. Kukhtenko and G. Pukhov, Members-Correspondents O. Pen'kov, B. Malinovskiy, Professors A. Grokhol'skiy, L. Il'nitskiy and others.
Unique devices, control systems for aviation and space-rocket equipment, advanced technologies, and, as a result, high scientific-pedagogical potential of the higher educational institution are created.
During different years the University was headed by М. Korolko, V. Podporinov, D. Glinchuk, N. Taranyuk, M. Gorchakov, P. Podchasov. In 1954–1975 М. Golego was the Rector. He made considerable contribution to the studying complex construction, creation and development of its material and technical base, organization of the scientific work, forming the scientific pedagogical group. In 1975-1988 the University is headed by О. Aksionov. Since 1988 till 1998 P. Nazarenko manages the University; since 1998 till 2008 the University is headed by V. Babak; since
Taking into account national and international confession of activity results and considerable contribution to development of national higher education and science, in September, 2000 the University was given the National status by the Decree of President of Ukraine L. Kuchma.
Today NAU is one of most powerful aviation higher educational institutions in the world with over 50 thousand students, among which are 1200 foreign students from 49 countries of the world.
Powerful scientific-pedagogical schools enable to prepare not only the specialists of engineering profile but also economists, lawyers, environmentalists, interpreters, psychologists, sociologists, etc.
The educational process is provided by the highly skilled scientific pedagogical group, consisting of 15 Academicians and Members-Correspondents of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 270 Doctors of Sciences, Professors, and over 900 Candidates of Sciences, lecturers. The leading specialists of airline companies and industrial enterprises are brought to the educational process. 80 Meritorious Science and Techniques Workers and State Prizes laureates are among its lecturers.
National Aviation University’s motto, which to great extent determines its life, is
VIVERE! VINCERE! CREARE! — LIVE! WIN! CREATE!