A $40 million project: why the Kyiv School of Economics needs a golf club

29 April 14:10

The Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) has acquired a complex of golf club buildings on Obolonska embankment in Kyiv. This was reported by the university’s press service, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.

The purchase of the entire complex of golf club buildings cost $18 million, and the total project budget is $40 million, according to KSE. The rest of the funds, partially provided by international donors, will be used to transform the complex and equip laboratories.

Why does a university need to buy a golf club?

According to KSE President Tymofiy Mylovanov, this is an investment in national education. The golf club will be replaced by a new university campus, which will obviously attract talented young people.

“By creating an intellectual and innovative hub in the new campus, we are giving talented Ukrainians the opportunity to study and launch their own projects without having to go abroad. This is a direct contribution to the future competitiveness and sustainability of Ukraine,”

– milovanov said.

He hastened to assure that the territory will be used exclusively for noble purposes.

“There will be no skyscrapers, no residential complexes, no cars driving around the park, no kebab shops and no alcohol. There will be Harvard. For people. It will be open. There will be development and quality, something that should have been there a long time ago, but wasn’t. There will be small sailing boats and academic rowing like in Boston at MIT,”

– milovanov promises.

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What will be done with the golf club

A phased transformation of the facility into a modern university campus for training mathematicians, engineers, and high-tech specialists is planned.

At the first stage, the buildings of the complex will be adapted for classrooms and research laboratories. There will also be spaces for summer schools, international forums, and joint R&D programs with businesses.

“The new campus will allow us to double the number of STEM programs, increase the scholarship fund, and expand international partnerships,”

– said KSE Rector Timothy Brick.

At the same time, KSE plans to preserve the sports and recreational elements of the territory by integrating green areas and opening up space for community events, STEM Olympiads, and local community initiatives.

“We are not going to give up the past activities of the Golf Club, we will support this sport. We will not fence ourselves off and open this part of the park to all residents. What used to be available only to the elite will be available to everyone. We are working with the Obolon community and plan to restore the summer cinema,”

– assured KSE President Tymofiy Mylovanov.

What exactly did Mr. Milovanov buy?

The total area of the territory is about 6 hectares, stretching along the Dnipro River on Obolonska embankment

The central building of the complex is a two-story structure with an area of 2,680 m², built in the 2000s. It is equipped with modern engineering systems: ventilation, air conditioning, autonomous heating, fire and burglar alarms. Inside, there is a restaurant, kitchens, offices and conference rooms.