Ukraine to attract more students from India

Online, May 4, 2010 (Newswire.com) - New Delhi, May 4, 2010: Over the years, Ukraine, owing to its world-class education system, infrastructure and universities has emerged as one amidst top 10 countries that attract maximum number of international students. Ukrainian State Centre of International Education under the aegis of Ministry of Education and Science, Government of Ukraine - the authority which regulates and coordinates enrolment of international students into higher educational institutions has now appointed Proactive Group, an active member of International Chamber of Commerce and respected partner of 30 leading Ukrainian universities with offices in Kyiv and New Delhi managed and run by Ukrainian nationals, as their official and licensed educational consultancy to assist Indian students.

According to a research study conducted by ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India), over US$ 13 billion is spent every year by about 450,000 Indian students enrolled in higher education abroad. Over 90% of students desirous of admission in premier institutes like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) are rejected due to capacity constraints and as per the estimates available, the top 40% pay to secure admission abroad.

The number of Indian students studying in Ukraine today stands at 3000 however this number is poised to grow significantly in the days to come. As of now, Indian students opting for education programs in Ukraine were assisted by independent agents who offered limited service like document preparation only. Buoyed by the huge potential that the Indian students have come to represent, the Government of Ukraine issued an initiative to appoint an officially licensed and authorized consultancy, the Proactive Group, which shall assist Indian students willing to study in Ukraine on a turnkey basis.

Exhaustive services offered by Proactive Group to Indian students include consultation in choosing the right education program and university, place to live etc.; preparation and filing of required documents; negotiation on behalf of students with universities, embassies, ministries and other official authorities; training and orientation for students and parents on aspects like legal issues, European lifestyle etc.; visa and travel support; reception at the airport in Ukraine; assistance with required registrations; social and legal support; employment in Ukraine; support to parents intending to visit their child in Ukraine.

Ukraine is a part of the Bologna process (European Higher Education Area) which stands for uniform academic degree standards and quality assurance standards with 46 participating countries. Therefore, Ukrainian degrees are recognized globally (even by UNESCO, European Association of Universities and European Union) and accepted as equal with degrees of other participating countries. What's more, nine Ukrainian medical universities are recognized by Medical Council of India (MCI). Indian students can choose English as their medium of instruction. The process for admission is very simple and entails only an interview, no entrance exam is required. Besides, there are hundreds of student exchange programs available as well which allow them to opt for any European university while completing their education. Besides, Ukrainian universities often invite professors from Canada, USA and Great Britain to deliver lectures, thus giving students a chance to gain knowledge from both local and foreign specialists

Tuition fee starts from Rs 8,000 per month and varies from course to course. Average monthly cost of studying medicine in Ukraine is approximately Rs 14,000; Rs 13,500 per month for technology and engineering and about Rs 15,000 per month for studying aviation or hotel management. This is highly affordable in comparison to tuition fee for similar courses in other international study destinations, especially Western Europe. Even the cost of living is highly reasonable and ranges between Rs 4,400 to Rs 17,600 per month (meal at fast food restaurant - Rs 132, vegetables and fruits - Rs 88 per kg) depending on the city sans any compromise on social life which is at par with any metropolitan in the world.

According to Mr. Viacheslav Tymokhin, Director, Ukrainian State Centre of International Education (Ministry of Science & Education, Government of Ukraine), "Ukraine offers truly endless educational opportunities. We have established a well developed and ramified system of education recognized globally. Those who attain education in Ukraine are evaluated and paid well across the world. Not to forget the fact that many Indian graduates from Ukrainian universities prefer to remain and work in Ukraine."

"Supported by the Ukrainian government, Proactive Group guarantees transparent process of enrolling into the university and clear fee policy. Every Ukrainian university has limited number of seats for international students however, as Proactive Group works closely in association with Ukrainian State Centre of International Education, there is always a greater possibility that the student gets accepted if he/she comes through it," says Mr. Yuri Gorokhovskyi, CEO, Proactive Group.

Being the officially licensed and authorized educational consultancy in India for Ukrainian education, even the universities and government departments in Ukraine are more eager to work with Proactive Group as compared to individuals and other agencies. Proactive Group has expert consultants for each of the streams - medicine, aviation, engineering, hospitality etc., who are aware of all possible aspects of their respective domains and are personally acquainted with the deans of Universities.