Models for the future

A few years ago the university built a model dormitory building that upholds standards accepted in the West. This hotel-style dormitory differs appreciably from the present buildings. Its lodgings consist of apartments with two or three rooms, with a separate kitchen and other amenities. Why not provide all the students with this type of housing?

One answer, of course, is the cost to the students. The monthly payment for students here is 70-80 hrv (under $20), which is still cheaper than renting a private apartment, even one far from downtown Kyiv, which can go for $80 to $100 per month.

We were curious about whether students had thought of moving out of their dormitories into more Western-style student housing or even into private apartments.

Many students' answers were similar to that given by a second-year student named Yurii: "Because I am not a Kyiv resident, I am required to live in a dormitory, as are many of my friends. I am sure that only a small number of non-residents can afford to rent an apartment for $100 a month. To be honest, I am not thrilled with the conditions of life on campus, however, I can afford it given my financial resources. Besides I have friends here whom I do not want to leave. Living alone can be lonesome and boring; it is more difficult to find help, support and even good times.

"But if the decrees that the Ukrainian government handed down in November 1998, concerning the social welfare of students had been implemented, my monthly stipend would not be 13 hrv to 16 hrv a month, but 40 hrv to 50 hrv. Then, I would have willingly moved to the new Western-style dorms, to a one-bedroom apartment with a separate bathroom and kitchen."

2. Compare the University life in Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

3. Write 10 – 15 sentences about your own life in the University.

4. Read and translate the text.

17Th November - International Students Day

On November 17th 1939 students resistance in the streets of Prague against Nazi occupation inspired the establishment of an anti-Nazi students coalition. In 1941 November 17th was declared International Students Day by the International Students Council in London which became the starting point of the founding of the International Union of Students - IUS.

We will never forget the Nazi atrocities. Given the significance of the alliance which defeated the Nazis, the courage that was taken by our predecessors in resisting nazism and fascism, the IUS has maintained the tradition of marking 17th November each year as the International Students Day.

The IUS throughout its history has consistently fought against all forms of discriminations, oppression and intolerance. Education has been placed at the centre of the struggle for democracy, the eradication of poverty, human as well as women's rights, sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.

As we celebrate 17th November in 1997 on the eve of the 21st century racism and xenophobia are still prevalent while religious intolerance and ethnic conflicts are costing lives of many people. Still poverty is a daily reality.

This years Human Development Report (HDR) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that "the number of people with incomes of less than $1 a day increased by almost 100 million to 1.3 billion between '87 and '93 - and the number appears to be still growing."

Although poverty has fallen in the past 50 years more than in the previous 500, a quarter of the world's people remain in severe poverty. "In a global economy of US$25 trillion, this is a scandal - reflecting shameful inequalities and inexcusable failures of national and international policy." Children, the aged and particularly women are disproportionately poor.

Neoliberal policies make it possible that the profits of transnational co-operations increase when simultaneously state budgets decrease. Subsequently education is under the thread of being privatized or commercialized to the disadvantage of the majority of people.

Therefore the HDR calls for a pro-poor growth where "Education for all" is a key priority which "needs to be achieved soon, not postponed for another generation".

This was and still is the key demand of the IUS being always part and parcel of this process.