Introduction
This policy confirms that the University recognizes the importance of supporting socially vulnerable participants in the educational process at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute as a primary priority in ensuring an adequate standard of living and equal access to quality education for all students. The University understands that material support is crucial for successful learning, personal development, and social integration of students.
The purpose of the policy supporting socially vulnerable participants in the educational process at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is to create conditions that ensure all participants, especially students from disadvantaged groups, receive adequate support to meet basic needs, such as food, accommodation, access to educational resources, and other essential conditions for successful learning..
The main objectives of the policy on supporting socially vulnerable participants of the educational process of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute are as follows:
1. Control the current situation, which includes monitoring the level of material support for students through surveys, data collection, and cooperation with the administration of faculties/educational and research institutes and student organizations.
2. Financial support. State payment of social scholarships, expansion of cooperation with university business partners, foundations, and charitable organizations to provide support, funding scholarships, grants, and financial assistance programs for students from vulnerable groups.
Implementation of crowdfunding and other initiatives aimed at attracting additional financial resources.
3. Psychological assistance and counselling support. Providing psychological assistance to students suffering from stress or other difficulties as a result of financial problems through the appropriate university service.
Organising regular consultations on financial planning and personal financial management for students experiencing difficulties.
4. Providing access to leisure and material resources. Establishing programs for access to reduced-price meals for students with difficulty.
Organizing food banks or other forms of material support (clothing, stationery, educational supplies) for students in difficult situations.
5. Providing access to leisure, cultural, educational, and other resources. Providing access to libraries, computer laboratories, internet resources, and educational materials.
Providing access to university clubs, sections, sports activities, and cultural events that enabled students to take an active part in the extracurricular life of the University.
Developing programs for access to recreational and health activities that will improve the psycho-emotional state of students.
6. Work with external partners and public organizations. Involving partners in establishing and supporting student support programs, such as food banks and clothing banks, social services, and counselling centres.
Expanding cooperation with local authorities to integrate students into social programs operating at the community level.
7. Information support and outreach. Providing regular training and seminars on financial literacy, budgeting, meal planning, and healthy lifestyles.
Informing students about available assistance and support programs through the University's electronic resources, interaction with student organizations, and other communication channels.
Key Policy Principles
1. Equal access. The University undertakes to provide equal access to all support programs regardless of social status, ethnic origin, and nationality, level of higher education of the applicant, or any other characteristics.
2. Confidentiality. Ensuring the confidentiality and protection of personal data of students seeking support in order to preserve their dignity and privacy.
3. Responsiveness. The University is committed to responding promptly to students' needs and to providing individualised support and solutions.
4. Inclusiveness. All activities aimed at supporting socially vulnerable participants in the educational process at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute should be inclusive and accessible to all students upon request.
5. Transparency. The university is committed to ensuring full transparency in all aspects of the implementation of this policy. This includes the regular publication of reports on the use of financial resources, the results of activities and programs, and decision-making processes. Transparency helps to build trust among the University's students, staff, and partners of the University and ensures that aid is distributed fairly and effectively.
Commitments of the University
1. Commitments in the area of nutrition. Organizing free or subsidized dry meals or one-time meals for students from vulnerable groups, as well as providing access to food packages in cases of emergency.
2. Housing commitments. Give priority to low-income students for halls of residence.
Ensuring regular convening of the Council on Accommodation of Applicants to consider each case individually.
3. Commitments in the area of financial support. Informing applicants about funds for scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance for students in financial difficulty.
4. Commitments in the area of psychological support and counselling. Providing access to psychological support, individual counselling on financial literacy, and psycho-emotional stability of students, prevention of suicide and alcohol and drug addiction.
5. Commitments in the area of access to educational and cultural resources. Providing access to libraries, educational materials, clubs, sports events, and other leisure activities
6. Commitments in the field of information. Regularly updating information on official web resources, conducting information campaigns, and using social media to maximize awareness among students about available support programs.
7. Commitments in the field of cultural and educational activities. Organizing, supporting, and conducting lectures, seminars, exhibitions, film screenings, and other cultural events that contribute to the development of students, and strengthen their social consciousness, as well as integration and mutual support in the academic community.
Final Provisions
The effectiveness of the policy to support socially vulnerable participants in the educational process at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is contingent upon the active collaboration of all stakeholders, regular monitoring of the situation, and prompt responsiveness to the emerging needs of students.
The implementation of the policy is contingent upon the university's reporting and evaluation of its effectiveness, which will be based on student feedback, statistical data, and other relevant indicators.
The responsibility for the implementation of this policy lies with the management, relevant departments, and structural units of the University. In order to ensure the continued improvement and optimisation of the policy, it will be subject to regular review and update in line with changes in the socio-economic environment and student needs. The policy will be made available on the official website of the University and all students and staff will be made aware of its existence.