The CYLA project helps students from Temporarily Occupied Territories to apply to Ukrainian universities
Why do youth choose Ukrainian universities?
Supporting internally displaced youth to study at Ukrainian universities is a key aspect of integration. According to a study conducted by the think tank Cedos, most applicants from temporarily occupied territories (TOT) believe that attending a Ukrainian university is a better choice for their future than studying in the temporarily occupied territories or in Russia. Applicants cited their personal preferences, trust in the Ukrainian education system, social guarantees, and specific benefits (i.e., scholarships, reduced housing costs, state loans, etc) as reasons that they chose Ukrainian universities. In 2020, the number of applications from prospective students from the temporarily occupied territories grew, as they were given the opportunity to enroll in any Ukrainian university on favorable terms.
What prevents students from applying?
On their way to the university of their dreams, youth from the temporarily occupied territories encounter plenty of challenges. One of the problems that they face is a lack of accessible information about the application process, as well as about their own rights and potential benefits. Students who took part in the Cedos study noted that even universities themselves can rarely provide up-to-date information about the admissions process, leaving many prospective students confused.
How does the CYLA project help inform potential applicants?
A single state resource containing all relevant information about applying to and enrolling in Ukrainian universities is yet to exist. The main sources of this knowledge are public initiatives like the CYLA program – a two-year project dedicated to furthering the integration of internally displaced youth and providing young people with new opportunities to develop their potential. This summer, CYLA launched an information campaign about the admissions process and created an easy-to-use website to provide applicants with detailed application instructions and links to important sources. Moreover, the CYLA project hosts educational workshops and initiatives that help IDP youth further integrate into their receiving communities, enhance their conflict resolution and leadership skills, and befriend like-minded peers.
The 2021 admissions season is coming to a close, and data on how many young people enrolled in Ukrainian universities, the percentage of new students using state benefits, the universities and faculties that were most popular, and more will soon be available. Next year, Ukrainian universities will welcome new students from the temporarily occupied territories. Every year, the state creates new policies and strategies to persuade youth to study in Ukraine, and public initiatives like the CYLA project help these students feel welcome in their new environments.
This material is made possible by the support of the U.S. Department of State and IREX. The contents are the sole responsibility of the Charity Foundation "Stabilization Support Services" and do not necessarily reflect the views of IREX or the U.S. Department of State.
