National University of Mongolia

by Mongol

National University of Mongolia is the oldest University in Mongolia. It hosts twelve schools and faculties in Ulan Bator, and runs branches in the Zavkhan and Orkhon Aimags. Approximately one third of the academically educated Mongolians have graduated from NUM.

During socialism, the University served as a training center for the party elite. Education was paid for and strictly controlled by the state. After democratization it gradually changed into a more modern university. In 1995 it started to offer bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs.

In 2006 there were 12,000 students enrolled, including 2000 graduate students. The University offers over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, mostly using Mongolian language as the medium of instruction.

NUM was established October 5, 1942 in Ulan Bator with teaching faculties for Educational Sciences, Medicine, and Veterinary. Agriculture, Natural Sciences, Mongolian Studies, Foreign Languages, as well as research activities were added shortly thereafter. Part of its operation was supported by staff and materials provided by the Soviet Union.

In 1975, it became the first university in Mongolia to offer courses in Japanese.

Some of the faculties later became universities of their own, such as the Agricultural University in 1958, the Medical University in 1961, as well as the Technical University and the University of Humanities in 1982.