Following the increasing number of Nigerian students who apply to the eastern European country of Ukraine annually for university admission, Lugansk National Agrarian University, one of the oldest state-educational institutions in the country, has taken concrete steps to increase admissions for students from Nigeria.

advertisement

The representatives of the university, which specialises mainly in agricultural-related courses, were in Nigeria last week for the maiden presentation of the institution to students and education stakeholders in Abuja and Lagos, during which they unveiled sundry opportunities which abound in the university as well as arrangements already put in place to ease difficulties that are usually associated with visa procurement.

The visit of the university’s delegates to Nigeria came after noticing that the number of Nigerians coming to Ukraine for study have, in recent times, been increasing. Last year, a Nigerian-based company, De-Groom Nigeria Ltd, alone enrolled 30 students from Nigeria at the Lugansk University, with Nigerian students forming a good percentage of the 20,000 students who study at the university.

Among the delegates to Nigeria are the institution’s Vice-Rector, Mr. Ryazanov Alexander and Mr. Zamota Taras, who is the Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the university.

On hand to receive the visitors was the newly appointed Representative of the University in Africa who is also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of De-Groom, Mr. Kolawole Fatai Olayiwola.

The choice of Ukraine by many Nigerian students, particularly Lugansk National Agrarian University, says Olayiwola, is not by accident or mistake but a decision based on the credibility of the institution which has the required facilities needed for the delivery of qualitative education which the nation presently craves for.

The university’s representative in Africa, who has visited Ukraine twice for an on-the spot assessment of the facilities in the university further said that the standard and quality of teaching in the institution is high, adding that lives and properties for foreign students are guaranteed in the country.

As teaching in the university is conducted in Russia language, many stakeholders at the presentation ceremonies were highly impressed by the widely acclaimed brilliant performances of Nigerian students in Ukraine who, on arrival at the eastern European country have to first learn to speak and write in Russian language.

This informed the call by stakeholders at the event for Federal Government to give scholarship to indigent but brilliant students which will go a long way in empowering the youths.

Speaking on behalf of the University’s Rector, Valentina Grigorievna Tkachenko, Mr Alexander said that the state-owned university has the highest level of accreditation with its seven faculties having 18 departments or specialties.

These faculties include Economy, Industrial and Civil Engineering, Farm Mechanization, Food Technologies, Veterinary Medicine, Agronomy and Zoobiotechnology.

On the facilities available in the university, Alexander said there are six academic and laboratory buildings, eight hostels, computer studies, well-equipped workshops, library with the stock of 750,000 books, resort centres at the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, Senatorium and Museum, adding that 70% of teaching staff has scientific degrees, with educational process conducted according to international agreements of Ukraine and national programs.

The Vice-Rector explained that visa procurement to Ukraine by foreign students has been easier upon the presentation of the invitation letter issued by the university, notarized copy of a birth certificate, attested and legalized graduation certificate from secondary school attended by the candidate, a medical certificate issued two months before departure to Ukraine, the certificate confirming AIDS absence, and a return ticket with an open date valid during one year.