Munk School and the Kyiv School of Economics partner to bring Ukrainian students to Canada
The University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) are partnering to allow up to 30 Ukrainian graduate students, many of whom had their studies disrupted by war, to get back to school in September. In addition to welcoming this group of students to its programs in Toronto, the Munk School will host a number of KSE faculty as visiting professors or fellows providing them with opportunities to continue teaching and engaging in collaborative research.
Qualified applicants will apply through the standard Munk School admissions process and, if accepted, will be offered a spot in either the Master of Global Affairs or Master of Public Policy programs. In addition to completing these two-year degrees, students will also complete additional courses with KSE, earning both University of Toronto and KSE degrees.
“The Munk School is delighted to be partnering with KSE,” said professor and Munk School director Peter Loewen. “Together, we can train future experts and public and private sector leaders in Ukraine. This partnership will ensure that these students continue their studies, complete world-class degrees at both institutions, and gain relevant work experience as part of our internship program and professional development activities.”
Students will receive full tuition support from the University of Toronto and will be eligible for financial support through Mitacs, a Canadian non-profit research organization.
“Mitacs is proud to provide financial support to assist these students coming to Canada to study at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy,” said John Hepburn, CEO of Mitacs. “This announcement is part of a broader effort that we have taken to help students from Ukraine gain important research opportunities despite Russia’s illegal invasion. We will continue to stand with Ukraine.”
For Tymofii Brik, rector of KSE, the partnership offers an opportunity for students to develop the skills they will need to lead Ukraine into the future. “Our country will need professionals who can lead efforts to rebuild post-war Ukraine,” said Brik. “We are incredibly grateful to our partners at the University of Toronto and the Canadian government for providing this opportunity.”
The Munk School, part of the Faculty of Arts & Science, is home to the renowned Centre for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (CERES) and the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine. “The program has been committed over many years to advancing research and teaching on Ukraine,” said Loewen. “My colleagues from the Centre have been instrumental in working with KSE to help make this initiative possible and we look forward to opportunities to collaborate with KSE faculty.”
The Munk School-KSE partnership is one of a number of important initiatives underway across the Faculty of Arts & Science aimed at supporting students affected by the war in Ukraine. “The Faculty of Arts & Science is focused on helping students, staff and faculty from Ukrainian universities continue their studies and scholarship while staying connected with one another,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science. “In addition, this year we will welcome over 100 students from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (KMA) as well as a number of faculty.”
