The unit was established in 2002 out of the Theory and Practice of Translation Department which was a Branch of the Institute of International Relations at Kyiv National University named after Taras Shevchenko. At various times in the department’s history, it has been led by the philologist Dr A. Hudmanian (at present Professor and Director of the Institute of Humanities of Kyiv National Aviation University), Dr O. Mochar (1952-2008), as well as E. Esenova, Dr K. Dolhosh and L. Sidun. Since 2013 the department has been headed by Professor I. Zymomrya, Ph. D. and member of the National Union of Writers of Ukraine.

The success of the educational process is ensured by the qualified departmental staff who are constantly improving their skills in various training centres, including those beyond Ukraine. The teaching of foreign languages ​​such as English, German, French and Polish is provided at a high scientific and methodical level. The members of the staff successfully defended their Candidate dissertations– M. Veresh in 2016, N. Kurakh in 2017 and A. Devitska in 2018. In the near future L. Sidun is planning to present her thesis. 

The Theory and Practice of Translation Department is actively involved in training professionals in the field of “International Economic Relations” as part of their degree programs, qualifying them as professional translators in the respective foreign languages (English and German). The educational process at the department adopts a humane approach to the training of experts, seeking the all-round development of a student’s personality, putting in relief all of his abilities, and so providing the opportunity for a deeper and more successful approach to academic materials. This aspect is especially important in the light of contemporary globalization. Today there is a constant need for translation services to facilitate the conclusion of business agreements, the signing of contracts and the implementation of international projects.

 The departmental staff provide the foreign language teaching ​​according to their own concept, maintain close ties with leading scientific and methodological institutions for training experts in international relations, such as: Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ternopil V. Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Lesia Ukrainka Eastern European National University, Yurii Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, Drohobych State Pedagogical University of Ivan Franko,  Freie Universität Berlin (Germany), the University of Warsaw (Poland), Polonia Academy in Częstochowa (Poland), Poznan School of Banking (Poland), Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk (Poland), etc.       

The scientific and research activity of the department is focused upon the area of translation within the sphere of international relations and the understanding of national cultural interaction. The research conducted by the department bears fruit in the form of papers delivered at scientific and methodical conferences at various levels as well as articles published in professional scientific and methodical journals. 

The scientific interests of the lecturers cover a wide range of areas. Among them it would be appropriate to single out the theory and practice of translation (I. Zymomrya, M. Veresh, I. Kalynych, L. Sidun), interlinguistic and intercultural communication, the theory of literature and comparative literature (I. Zymomrya, O. Polishchuk, L. Sidun,       R. Mandzyuk), contrastive and cognitive linguistics (E. Esenova, A. Devitska), lexicology and stylistics (I. Zymomrya), terminology (I. Kalynych), the methodology of foreign language ​​teaching (V. Boitor, O. Polishchuk, L. Ratsiuk, L. Rak), the formation of readiness of the Faculty of International Relations students for their professional activity by means of foreign languages (N. Drabov, O. Polishchuk).

The professional and linguist abilities of members of the department are underlined by the internships they have completed in the countries whose languages are taught by the department (including Great Britain, the USA, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, etc.). The courses offered boast a strong methodical framework embodied in curricula, methodical guidelines, standardized testing and multiple-choice responses, with supplementary materials for video, and linguaphone courses. Students are also involved in scientific research. At the annual Student Conference, “The Theory and Practice of Translation” section is always active, with reports given in foreign languages. The results of scientific research conducted by students and professors are used to improve the quality of the educational process.

The faculty manages translating internships for students of the International Economic Relations Faculty based on the Institute of State Management and Regional Development at UzhNU, the Chamber of Commerce,  the Regional Customs Office, the Department of Investment and Foreign Economic Activity and Tourism of  Uzhhorod City Council, UzhNU Department of Foreign Relations, the Department of Literature and Foreign Languages of the UzhNU Scientific Library, the Transcarpathian Regional Branch of the Federation of Sports for the Disabled with musculoskeletal disorders, private business, joint projects and agencies, etc.      

The departmental staff initiate a variety of educational and extracurricular activities carried out in foreign languages at the Faculty of International Economic Relations such as​​: a) various group projects, b) the celebration of Interpreter’s Day, c) the celebration of cultural events with contests and quizzes, 4) the organization of meetings and tours for guests of the university and foreign students.