The institute of professorial scholars as a form of training academic and pedagogical staff in Ukrainian universities in 1917-1920

The purpose of this article is to investigate the key aspects of training professorial scholars in state universities of Ukraine during 1917–1920, based on archival sources, scientific works, and periodical materials. The methodological foundation of the study includes general scientific principles of historicism, objectivity, comprehensiveness, integrity, systematicity, reliability, and criticality, along with interdisciplinary quantitative-analytical and statistical methods. The scientific novelty lies in focusing on the study of the institute of professorial scholarship as an important segment of university activity, a function that has not yet been thoroughly examined in the context of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1920. Additionally, the article introduces and analyzes a range of little-known archival materials into the scientific discourse. Conclusions. In the years 1917–1920, a well-tested and generally effective classical organization for training academic staff through the institute of professorial scholarship was maintained in the established universities St. Volodymyr, Novorossiysky, and Kharkiv as well as in the new Ukrainian state universities – Kyiv and Kamianets-Podilskyi. According to our calculations, during this period, a total of at least 170 individuals were preparing for professorial titles across the faculties of these institutions, with the humanities as the primary field of academic preparation. The majority of scholarship holders were young men under the age of 30. Despite the traditional prevalent gender inequality, a trend toward eliminating gender restrictions was evident, with cases of female graduates from higher women's educational institutions and European universities being accepted as scholarship recipients. The funding for these scholarships was predominantly provided by the state, with university funds used only in exceptional cases. In their commitment to developing national academic and pedagogical staff, Ukrainian governments took measures to admit talented Ukrainian-speaking youth as professorial scholars in both classical and newly established universities, offering them increased scholarships and opportunities for internships abroad.