Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- Flemish Minister of Education Ben Weyts (N-VA) gives Ukrainian refugees the opportunity to take entrance exams in Brussels this summer that give access to higher education in Ukraine. In this way, young people do not lose their chance of a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The N-VA minister wants to respond to a call from the Ukrainian government. Flanders will provide a location and all the necessary equipment: the Ukrainians will take care of the supervision themselves during the entrance exams.
In Ukraine – as in many other countries – students only get access to a bachelor’s or master’s degree if they first pass an entrance exam. Before the Russian invasion, these written entrance exams were organised in May and June in various exam locations across the country, said BRUZZ.
However, due to the war in the country, the entrance exams cannot now be organised in their normal form. Moreover, many young people who would like to go on to higher education next year are currently abroad, for example because they fled with their parents.
Flemish Education Minister Ben Weyts is now giving Ukrainian refugees residing in Flanders the opportunity to take their higher education entrance exams in Brussels this summer. Weyts is responding to a question from the Ukrainian Minister of Education Serhiy Shkarlet. Countries such as the Netherlands, France and Germany are also responding to this question.
In concrete terms, Ukrainian youngsters residing in Flanders will be able to take their entrance exams in the Conscience building in Sint-Joost-Ten-Node during the summer months. The Flemish government provides the location, computer equipment and IT experts to quickly resolve any defects.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Education provides exam supervisors, who ensure orderly conduct during each session. The entrance examination for the bachelor’s programs will focus on knowledge of the Ukrainian language, mathematics and the history of Ukraine. The entrance exam for the master’s programs assesses more advanced knowledge.
“The Ukrainians are doing everything they can to provide as much continuity as possible to young people, even in these terrible circumstances,” says Weyts. “Flanders is happy to help. This entrance exam means hope for a better future for many young people.”