New Delhi: Several Ukrainian medical universities have started online classes despite the fierce Russian assault on the country. The resumption of online classes has provided a ray of hope to the Indian students. They were a facing bleak future after fleeing the war-torn country. Some students are, however, concerned about not being able attend practical classes.
Most of the medical universities who have started online classes from Monday are located in western Ukraine. Holding physical classes in Ukraine has become impossible amid continued shelling by Russian forces. Other universities have also planned to resume online classes in the coming days, according to the Indian students.
Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University and Bogomolets National Medical University have started online classes from Monday.
The Indian students said their teachers are taking classes from their home or safe places amid continued shelling.
Kanishk, a first-year student at Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University said he is relieved that the classes have resumed. He was staring at an uncertain future since his return from Ukraine.
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“Something is better than nothing. I am happy that the classes have resumed, finally. We were really worried about what would happen to our future now that Ukraine is engaged in a war with Russia,” Kanishk stated Tuesday.
Kanishk said he and other students received a notice from the Dean’s office about the resumption of classes from March 14. “As of today, the university is working and is ready to resume education online,” the notification read.
Another first-year student Manogya said the classes resumed on Monday and termed it a ‘very emotional’ moment. “Teachers got very emotional. We discussed a little about the war. They have been teaching us from hideouts and safe places. I am glad the classes have resumed,” she said.
Thousands of Indian students had to leave their studies mid-way and flee Ukraine following the Russian offensive. As part of the Indian government’s Operation Ganga, over 20,000 Indian students have already been brought back from Ukraine.
“We know it (online classes) is not enough. But it is still better as finally, we can resume our studies,” Kinjal Chauhan, a Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical student said.
The students have also been informed that their exams will also be held online. “We will have vivas daily with a daily test on a site called Misa,” Manogya informed.
The Kharkiv National Medical University is expected to start online classes from March 21. “Our university has announced that online classes will start from March 21. It is good news that the classes are resuming,” Aousaf Hussain (25), a student of the varsity said.