The University College of Applied Sciences in Chełm

The University College of Applied Sciences in Chełm was established on the basis of the Prime-Ministerial Decree of July 24th, 2001.

In its first academic year, 210 students were enrolled in The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, offering two specializations: Teaching of Mathematics, and Mathematics with Computer Science. In October 2002, the number of students reached 600 people, and at present, the School comprises approximately 3000 undergraduate students.

Every year has witnessed a consecutive growth in student numbers and programs offered. As a result, in 2002, The Institute of Modern Philology was established with two departments: English Philology and German Philology. In 2008, The Institute was expanded by American Studies and Slavic Studies, offering Russian and Ukrainian. In October 2003, The Institute of Technical Sciences was inaugurated, having initially The Department of Civil Engineering, and in 2005, The Department of Electrotechnology came into being.

The aim of the School authorities has been to create in Chełm an academic institution for all, those who are linguistically gifted and humanities minded as well as for those with technical skills and scientific orientation. Hence, in October 2004, a newly created Institute of Humanities launched studies in two specializations: Polish Philology and History. Two years later, in 2006, The Institute of Agricultural Sciences came into being offering a wide range of courses in agriculture and agriculture related studies. Further, on July 31st, 2007, The State School of Higher Education was granted entitlements to conduct studies in Education. Additionally, the School has now expanded its offer to post-graduate studies.

The first two years of the School operation were tough. In the academic year of 2001/2002, the School faculty began their work teaching in rooms rented from the Technical High School in Chełm as well as in rooms which were part of the Chełm Public Library. In the following year, The Institute of Modern Philology started its work in a rented part of the Relax Hotel. One year later, the Institute moved to a newly refurbished building in Wojsławicka Street, which was handed over to the School by the town authorities. General renovation has also been undertaken to the building in Pocztowa Street, where the President’s Office now is, neighboring a new gymnasium and library.

In the last few years additional buildings in Depułtycze Królewskie were obtained where the Academic Trans-border Cooperation Center has its location. There, the School was also given land for an airfield. In 2004, the School also became the owner of a building in Nowy Świat Street, where after a general renovation The Institute of Humanities and The Institute of Agricultural Sciences started to operate.

As early as 2002, The University College of Applied Sciences in Chełmprocured state funds for the installation of a new computer room. The next step was the installation of a language laboratory and a further three computer rooms were then opened, one with 64 work stations. Technical laboratories were also newly equipped. Apart from the funds obtained from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the School also received grants from the EU. Thanks to the funding, construction and equipping of The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science was undertaken. This funding also enables special attention and effort to be paid to The Center of Engineering Studies, the School’s airfield, a center of sport and recreation and a dormitory.