In Ukraine, students change universities

A few days ago, the new academic year began at universities in Ukraine and Crimea, where over 100 students from Tamil Nadu have been studying, the majority pursuing medicine.

This year, an estimated 30 from the State have gone to the universities there, most of them to Crimea State Medical University, which has now been brought under the Russian system, said an education consultant. However, several students studying in violence-hit regions of Ukraine, such as Lugansk and Donetsk, have had to transfer to other universities in places including Kharkiv and Odessa, parents and students said.

“My son was studying at Lugansk State Medical University, but has now gone to Odessa State Medical University,” said G. Dakshinamurthy, whose son, Kanaga Vikram, is in his fourth year. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine helped with the transfer, Mr. Dakshinamurthy said.

In June, 1,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, were evacuated from Lugansk, when violence between pro-Russian separatists and government forces escalated. Of these, 300 were from Tamil Nadu.

Some students like B. Sasitharan, though, have chosen to remain at Lugansk. “The university has told us he has to finish his studies there. At the moment, we are waiting for his results, and once they are out, the university will call him for the fifth year. The situation there is much better now, so he has no problems going back,” his father said.

At Crimea State Medical University, students said things were proceeding just as they did last year. “Classes began on September 1, and there are hardly any changes. The faculty and syllabus are the same. We have had to submit our Ukranian visas, and have been told we will be given Russian visas within a month or so,” said B. Peer Fathima, speaking to The Hindu from Crimea.

Ever since Crimea voted to break away from Ukraine and join Russia in March, and due to the resultant violence, there has been a drop in the number of students heading to the region, said Suresh Kumar R., of Truematics Overseas Education Consultancy, adding that consultants were not recommending Ukranian universities very strongly.

Up until last year, 2,500 students from India went to Ukraine every year for higher studies. “However, Crimea is still a good option. The Russian visa is easier to obtain, and the university ranking is still good,” he said.