Regulations on Conferring the Title of Honorary Doctor «DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA»
of National Aerospace University
«Kharkiv Aviation Institute»
Approved:
by the Academic Council
of National Aerospace University
«Kharkiv Aviation Institute»
Minutes No. 10 dated April 22, 2026
Enacted by Order No. 187 dated April 22, 2026
QMS KhAI-AC-P/002:2019
Date of Introduction: April 22, 2026
Revision No. 2
1. General Provisions
1.1 In order to preserve the historical traditions of the University and taking into account the experience of foreign universities, the National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» (hereinafter - the University) confers the most honorable awards of collective recognition for special merits of citizens of Ukraine and other states in the development of science, culture, education, and democracy.
These Regulations govern the conferral of the honorary title «Honorary Doctor DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA of National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» (hereinafter - Honorary Doctor);
1.2 At the University, the title of «Honorary Doctor» may be conferred upon:
- outstanding Ukrainian and foreign scientists, state and public figures, leaders of higher education, heads or representatives of international organizations, domestic or foreign universities, enterprises, and institutions for significant achievements in education and science within the aerospace sector;
- persons whose achievements are of major importance for the development of world civilization, the growth of national wealth, intellectual potential, and prestige of Ukraine, as well as for the development of the University and the training of specialists and scientists in the aerospace sector;
- persons whose direct personal participation and assistance constitute a significant contribution to the development of the educational, intellectual, and material resources, as well as enhancement of the University's prestige.
1.3 The title of «Honorary Doctor» is conferred by decision of the Academic Council of the University.
1.4 The conferral of the honorary title is carried out taking into account the conditions of the legal regime of martial law in Ukraine, the requirements of the current legislation of Ukraine, as well as state policy in the field of national security, defense of sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
1.5 The title of «Honorary Doctor» cannot be conferred upon persons:
- who are citizens of a state recognized by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine as an aggressor state or an occupying state;
- who have publicly supported or support armed aggression against Ukraine;
- who cooperate or have cooperated with the authorities of the aggressor state or occupational administrations;
- against whom sanctions have been applied in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine or international sanction regimes.
2. Requirements for Candidates for the Honorary Title
2.1 Candidates for the title of «Honorary Doctor» may include:
2.1.1. A state or public figure well-known in Ukraine, whose activity is aimed at the development of science and education or has contributed to the training of scientists in the aerospace sector, as well as to the growth of the prestige of the University and Ukraine;
2.1.2. A head or representative of an international organization, a domestic or foreign university, a ministry or department, as well as a state institution or corporation that acts as a customer of intellectual services, which have contributed to a significant growth in the prestige of the University and Ukraine;
2.1.3. A patron or benefactor whose assistance constitutes a significant contribution to the development of the educational, intellectual, and material resources, and enhancement of the University's prestige.
2.2 A candidate for the title of «Honorary Doctor» must:
- adhere to the principles of academic integrity;
- have no facts of participation in activities that undermine the national security of Ukraine;
- recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine;
- not be associated with the promotion of totalitarian regimes or the aggressor state.
3. Procedure for Conferring the Honorary Title
3.1 Discussion of the proposed candidacy is conducted at a meeting of the Academic Council of the University. The Chairperson of the Academic Council of the University announces information regarding the personal contribution of the nominee and their compliance with the requirements of these Regulations. The discussion of the candidacy at the Academic Council of the University may be preceded by a discussion at a meeting of the academic council of the faculty, department, scientific unit, etc.
3.2 The decision to confer the title of «Honorary Doctor» is adopted by a majority vote of those present at the meeting of the Academic Council of the University by open vote after an appropriate discussion.
3.3 The diploma «Honorary Doctor DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA of National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute»» is signed by the Rector and the Academic Secretary of the University, and a registration number is assigned to the diplomas.
3.4 Information regarding the conferral of the honorary title is published on the official website of the University.
4. Honoring the Awarded Persons
4.1 A person who has been conferred the honorary title is presented with the Diploma of Honorary Doctor DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA of National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute», as well as the gown (mantle) of the Academic Council of the University.
4.2 The presentation of the Diploma and gown takes place ceremonially at an extended meeting of the Academic Council or at the Conference of the Labor Collective of the University. The recipient of the honorary title is given the floor for an inaugural address.
4.3 An Honorary Doctor DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA of National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» is granted the right to be elected as an honorary member of the Academic Council of the University.
4.4 Profile information about the honored persons and their photographs are published in the Book of History (Chronicle) of the University, which is kept at the University.
4.5 The Assistant to the Rector carries out further correspondence with the laureates who have been conferred the title of «Honorary Doctor DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA of National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute»» to inform them about events and developments at the University (brochures, greeting cards, invitations to holidays and ceremonial events).
5. Grounds for Deprivation of the Honorary Title
5.1 A person may be deprived of the title of «Honorary Doctor» by decision of the Academic Council of the University.
5.2 Grounds for deprivation of the title are:
- establishing the fact of providing false or misleading information when nominating the candidate;
- committing actions that discredit the title or damage the reputation of the University;
- public support for aggression against Ukraine or actions of the aggressor state;
- cooperation with the authorities of the aggressor state or occupational administrations;
- falling under the sanctions of Ukraine or international organizations;
- violation of the principles of academic integrity;
- participation in activities that threaten the national security of Ukraine.
5.3 The decision to deprive a person of the title is adopted by a majority vote of the Academic Council of the University after appropriate consideration and discussion.
5.4 Information regarding the deprivation of the title shall be published on the official website of the University.
6. Final Provisions
6.1 The Regulations on Conferring the Title of Honorary Doctor DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA of National Aerospace University «Kharkiv Aviation Institute» are approved by the Academic Council of the University and enacted by order of the Rector.
6.2 Changes and/or additions to these Regulations are made in the manner established for its adoption.
6.3 In case of changes to the legislation on higher education that regulate the relations defined in these Regulations, the norms of the legislation shall apply until corresponding changes are introduced into these Regulations.