Ukrainian universities are launching Student Support Centers to provide assistance and resources for their students.
In Ukrainian universities, Student Support Centers are being established – spaces where anyone can receive assistance, regardless of their characteristics and needs. These structural units aim to create an accessible and comfortable educational environment. This is reported by Osvita.ua.
The centers assist in overcoming barriers – be they physical, psychological, or social – and provide support in challenging situations. They serve all students, faculty, and administrative and technical staff of higher education institutions.
The centers aid in key areas:
- Education and Career: consultations on admissions, choosing a specialty, and employment.
- Psychological Support: assistance during stressful periods and adaptation to the university environment.
- Legal Consultations: clarifications on student rights and support in difficult situations.
- Other Support Services at the discretion of the university according to student needs.
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In 2024, the Ministry of Education and Science launched a pilot project for Student Support Centers in 9 Ukrainian universities:
- Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University;
- The educational and rehabilitation institution “Kamianets-Podilskyi State Institute”;
- Poltava National Pedagogical University named after Volodymyr Korolenko;
- Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University named after Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi;
- Western Ukrainian National University;
- Kyiv City University named after Borys Hrinchenko;
- Ukrainian Catholic University;
- Uman State Pedagogical University named after Pavlo Tychyna;
- Mariupol State University.
These universities are working on ensuring barrier-free access (ramps, elevators, etc.) and are also establishing departments for inclusive education (in pedagogical universities) and organizing psychological support for students with special educational needs.
One of the key initiatives is supporting mental health. The centers organize resilience training, art therapy, and consultations with psychologists, including anonymous online requests through an electronic platform for students.
The Ministry of Education and Science plans for such Centers to be established in every higher education institution. In 2025, a directory of centers will be created to help universities organize barrier-free spaces.