Dear international students and valued Partners,
According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine’s decision, from January 8th to 24th, 2021, enhanced quarantine restrictions will be introduced throughout Ukraine. Among other restrictions, the ban also applies to visiting educational institutions at this time.
Our learning experience and living on campus during Fall semester 2020 has shown that by providing proper compliance with sanitation and protocols, wearing a mask, and reducing physical contact, we can avoid sudden outbreaks and spread of the COVID-19. In case of mitigation of conditions and the relevant epidemic situation (orange zone), from February 1st to May 21st, UCU will hold a spring semester in a hybrid model (offline and distance learning).
Please, check the Academic Calendar for Spring semester 2021.
In order for us all to meet together on campus next semester, we need to provide several organizational conditions:
- UCU has taken the decision to continue with incoming long-term(semester) student exchange programmes under Erasmus+, bilateral, multilateral and self-funded programmes as long as our international guests follow UCU health and safety rules and are ready to adapt the circumstances: UCU campus life and access to facilities (library, UCU Trapezna etc) will not be the same as in normal circumstances; UCU cannot rule out that a temporary lockdown might be necessary at some point during Spring semester 2020-2021 if the epidemiological situation goes worse. Our university is ready to go 100% online again if required by the authorities and circumstances; Due to some restrictions in the number of seats in classrooms and social distancing, registration in certain courses may not always be guaranteed. Students must be flexible in their choice of courses and have an alternative list or to be ready to follow the course online if necessary.
- As long as the partner institution agrees, our intention is to keep outgoing long-term mobilities as much as possible. We will closely monitor the situation with each Partner and follow all sanitary recommendations and guidelines. When necessary, we will accept mobilities starting in virtual mode, with physical mobility starting later on during the semester.
- UCU recommends to suspend all the short term (less than three weeks) incoming and outgoing physical student/teaching/staff mobility exchange for the academic year 2020 – 2021 (study tours, Erasmus+ teaching/training, seasonal schools, short-term internships). If and when new information may lead to a different risk assessment regarding mobility and/or the pandemic, this decision will be revisited.
- In the Spring semester 2021, studying will begin with all courses simultaneously. However, based on the assumption that the number of people in the classrooms will be still limited to 20 people, educational programs must determine in advance the list of disciplines that will take place offline on campus and in distance format (online). At the same time, in each course of each academic program, the number of disciplines that take place in person at UCU must be at least 30% of the total number of disciplines. The number of disciplines held remotely must also be at least 30% of the total number of disciplines.
- The study process will be organized in two shifts: 1st and 2nd year of study ( BA programs) and 1st-year students of master’s programs will study in the first shift (1-4 classes), and the 3rd and 4th year of study students of bachelor’s programs and 2nd year of master’s programs in the second shift (4-6 classes). Modular programs will be conducted as usual but should arrange a training session schedule not to overlap for the same training week with other modular programs. Please, check the UCU schedule of classes (link)
- A week of Independent work will be held from March 15th to 19. Classes will not be held this week, but students must complete the course program’s tasks and deadlines.
- A new Collegium will open on March 15th!. We plan to settle students during this week of independent work. The process of submitting applications for settlements and selecting students to participate in the College’s formation program will take place before the Christmas holidays. Follow the ads!
UCU International Office is doing its best to make sure to support and communicate to our Partners as much as possible, but due to the situation changing very fast please also make sure to keep an eye on the latest developments here in Ukraine (especially the travel advice), in the host country and at the partner university.
Current situation of COVID-19 in Ukraine
Ukrainian authorities are continuously monitoring the current situation with the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine and in Lviv in particular and will put in place new measures if the number of new cases rises above a certain threshold. Social distancing rules for public spaces, the obligation to wear a mask in public transportation are in effect and will likely be a part of daily life for months to come. Please visit the websites of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for further information: https://covid19.gov.ua/en
Traveling to Ukraine
On the VISIT Ukraine website, you can find useful and practical information for foreigners who plan to visit Ukraine in the near future. The web page provides the necessary and most relevant information on:
- rules for crossing the Ukrainian border
- list of “green zone” and “red zone” countries
- rules of adaptation of quarantine, observation/self-isolation
- rules of conduct at airports
- advice on how to behave in public spaces
- assisting in the installation, authorization and use of the mobile application “Act at home”.
UCU will accurately follow official instructions and regulations regarding the travel and safety procedures.
Please follow this link to see information on Ukraine’s long term visas, visa legislation and application procedure. If you have any concerns about the situation or need any help or advice, please contact the UCU International Academic Relations Office via international@ucu.edu.ua or our FB page.
Here you can read more information on how Ukrainian Catholic University is functioning during the lockdown. We are glad to share our experience on how UCU organizes its work online to achieve the same quality education and still offer community experience and opportunity for the integral human development of UCU students.