College making efforts to support Ukrainian students
Niagara College is letting Ukrainian students and their families know they are “not alone” as their country is at war.
In a news release, the college highlighted a number of efforts it is making to financially and emotionally support international students impacted by the conflict.
One is a global emergency relief fund, established in 2020 to provide financial assistance to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, the college expanded the fund to assist Ukrainian and Russian students impacted by the war in Ukraine. The fund provides students with scholarships and bursaries to help cover tuition or living expenses, which are distributed on a case-by-case basis, as needed.
“During these challenging times, we won’t let our students fall behind due to global circumstances they cannot control. We are stepping up our supports to help ensure that they succeed,” said Sean Coote, vice-president of international at the college.
Another support involves staff members from the college’s international division reaching out to students impacted by the war who are experiencing financial hardships incurred due to loss of bank transfer abilities. They’ve been offered assistance as well as flexible payment options.
In addition to assisting with financial challenges, they continue to work with students to ensure they have access to mental and emotional supports or resources.
“As a college community, we provide more than just an education to students while they are with us. In their time of need, we become their security blanket and their main source of support and care while away from their family and other loved ones,” said director of international Gary Torraville.
To assist Ukrainian visitors who have recently arrived in Niagara and may benefit from advancing their language skills, the college is offering scholarships to its English for academic preparation program.
Twenty full scholarships have been offered to recently arrived Ukrainian visitors, to attend the program’s May start, and more opportunities will also be available during the months ahead, the college said.
For information about opportunities for recently arrived Ukrainians, contact international@niagaracollege.ca or call 905-7352211 ext. 7152.
Niagara recently joined 18 colleges across Ontario, along with Colleges Ontario, and the Ontario College Application Service, with a joint donation of $200,000 to UNICEF’S Ukraine Emergency Fund.
People interested in helping the college’s international students may donate at the website donate.niagaracollege.ca.