Kerala students rank first among International students in Ukraine

Ukraine educational institutions are emerging as potential destinations for Indian students to pursue global cost effective education without any proficiency tests. Ukraine Universities are offering market centred courses catering the need of the industries. All the Universities are promoting advanced technologies and skill development programmes to facilitate the competencies of students. Universities are involved in international collaborations with more than 50 counties. China and India rank first among other countries with regard to international collaborations. Of the international students, 45 percent are from India. Among the students from India, more than 50 percent are from Kerala. Doctor of Medicine, B. Tech in Aerospace engineering, Avionics, aircraft maintenance engineering, Manufacturing, Robotics, Computer Science engineering and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine are the most sought after under graduate courses by Indian students. All the Universities are offering masters and doctoral programmes.

Cutting edge technologies, industry tuned skilling, affordable fee structure & hostel facilities, global acceptance and academia interface are some of the strengths of Universities. All the Universities are public universities. Some of the educational providers from India are facilitating Indian food to students.

Medical Universities are offering Doctor of Medicine under graduate programs of six-year duration. Eligibility for admission to Indian students are NEET eligibility conducted by National testing agency. Duration of the programme is 6 years. Sumi state medical University, Odessa state National Medical University and Vinnytsia perogov National Medical Universities are some of the most preferred public universities in Ukraine. All the Medical schools have all the facilities including super speciality hospitals and diagnostic centres. Students after completing the programme are required to write Foreign Medical graduates exam for accreditation by National Medical Commission in India. From 2023 onwards there will be uniform National exit test for medical graduates from India and abroad. Of the 4000 students pursuing higher education in Ukraine more than 3400 students are pursuing medical education.

Universities opened veterinary education for Indian students since 2017. Sumy National Agrarian University is offering agriculture and veterinary medicine programmes. Government of Ukraine is promoting veterinary services at both public and private sectors. Courses related to advanced technologies in agriculture includes precision farming, climate resilient agriculture, dairy technology, food processing technology, agribusiness management, livestock production technologies, organic farming and food safety & hygiene.

National Aerospace University based at Kharkiv has aerospace institute which offer engineering programmes in the areas of advanced aviation and aircraft technologies. Students after completing B Tech programmes used to work in European countries and Canada. Ukraine facilities EU credit transfer system for students. Capital of the country Kyiv hosts Indian Embassy in Ukraine. Ukraine is under European council and ranks first in agriculture and livestock production. Country is giving more emphasis to value addition, processing and export.

As part of visit, I could interact with Rectors, Deans and international programme Directors of respective Universities faculty members and Indian students. Students suggested that they are getting better exposure in the campuses and happy with their academic programs. Universities suggested that Indian students especially from Kerala excel in their academic performance and competencies when compared to students from other countries. Universities are offering all the international programmes in English.

National Aerospace University is in the process of offering one-year advanced certificate programme for engineering graduates from Malaysia and India to improve the employability of students. The programme includes both skill development and industry tuned internships. Mechanical, electrical electronics, aerospace, aeronautical, computer sciences and automobile engineering graduates can explore this potential. Programmes will be offered in aircraft technologies, avionics, aerospace engineering, control systems, computer engineering, manufacturing, design and cyber security.

Dr T P Sethumadhavan, Education and Career Consultant from India is travelling EC countries to assess the impact opportunities for higher education in Ukraine from September 26 to October 5, 2021.