University of the People is providing Ukrainian students with access to all of its courses following the Russia-Ukraine war. This would enable them to continue their studies uninterrupted online, it said in a press release.
The accredited distance learning university based in the US has begun accepting enrolment of Ukrainian students into its wide range of online courses since the beginning of the Spring academic term, starting April 7, 2022.
The tuition-free online university is also offering 1,000 scholarships to Ukrainian students to continue their education, including those displaced by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
The scholarships will cover all costs for associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes at University of the People. Students can apply for the scholarships online.
As Ukrainians Flee, This ‘University Moves With Them’ @insidehighered @UoPeople https://t.co/B2ORSeVCT0
— Shai Reshef (@ShaiReshef) March 22, 2022
In speaking about the initiative, University of the People President Shai Reshef said educational opportunities should be accessible and that a viable educational lifeline should be extended to people in need to sustain their desire and need for continual learning pursuits.
“The people of Ukraine are suffering tremendously due to the Russian invasion, and we want to provide them with educational lifelines so they know they will have a future when the fighting ends,” he said.
“As an online institution, University of the People is like a university in a box that students can take with them anywhere in the world — even if they have to flee their country.”
University of the People is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited online university. It currently serves 117,000 students from over 200 countries and territories. It is known for its low-cost enrolment fees.
Its online courses are flexible; to study, students only need a basic internet connection. No broadband is necessary.
All course materials can be accessed online for free. The university only charges a one-time 60 US dollar application fee as well as a nominal assessment fee of US$120, payable at the end of each undergraduate course, and US$240 for its graduate-level courses.
In a separate report, about 30 higher education institutions in the UK will partner some 28 institutions in Ukraine as part of a twinning initiative that could help Ukrainian and international students studying in Ukraine to continue their education, reported The PIE News.
The scheme aims to support academics, students and university leaders who have been affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Many students enrolled in Ukrainian universities were left in a pickle when the war meant they had to abruptly pause their studies. Issues such as the language of instruction and cost are proving to be an issue for those considering their transfer options.
Other concerns of students enrolled in Ukrainian universities include not having access to their academic transcripts, making it difficult for them to transfer to another university.
