Over 400 students from all over Ireland sat the Ukrainian national multi-disciplinary test (NMT) at Munster Technological University. The university hosted the examination at its North Campus in Kerry in collaboration with North East West Kerry Development Programme (NEWKD). The test is essential for Ukrainian students intending to use their Ukrainian high school certificates to access third level education in Ireland or in Ukraine.
Olya Maryntseva, a support worker with NEWKD, explained that “while hundreds of Ukrainian teenagers are taking the Irish Leaving Certificate, many also study simultaneously for the Ukrainian NMT. The exam provides a possible pathway to progression to third level education. We became aware that there was no institution set to host this year’s examination and, in the event that there had been no Irish location, the only option for these students would have been to go to other European countries to do the test there, which few could have afforded. In addition, beneficiaries of temporary protection can only be absent from state-funded accommodation in exceptional circumstances, so arranging to attend these exams outside of the State would be additionally stressful on those families.
Recognising this obstacle, we approached MTU. The university understood the importance of the NMT and immediately agreed to be the national host. Following acceptance by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education of MTU’s application to host the exam, a team of NMT coordinators and supervisors underwent intensive training with the Ukrainian Centre for Educational Quality Assessment so as to administer the examinations. Just like the Leaving Certificate and university examinations, security and the integrity of the examinations are so important.”
She added, “Students travelled from all over the country to sit the NMT at MTU. They were very grateful that they could do the exam in Ireland.”
Dr. Michael Hall, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department in MTU North Campus in Kerry, who oversaw the examinations from an MTU perspective, commented that “given its importance to the students’ continuing education and the enormous challenges already faced by Ukrainians students, MTU was ready, willing and able to provide the facilities to enable them to do the NMT examinations, and we were happy to make an application to the Ukrainian Ministry of Education to do so. Students from international backgrounds are a great addition to the third level sector in Ireland and we have already seen how hard they are willing to work at their university studies. The Irish economy needs greater numbers of graduates with qualifications in computing, business, entrepreneurship and STEM than the domestic population can provide, and many Ukrainian students are keen to study these disciplines, so there is potential for mutual benefit.
MTU’s engagement with local and regional community and industry partners is central to its mission. The collaboration between MTU and NEWKD is a great example of this. MTU provided facilities and ancillary support services while NEWKD assembled a team of Ukrainians who were appointed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education as exam centre coordinators and supervisors who engaged with students to ensure that the NMT experience was as free from undue stress as it could be under the circumstances.”
Layrsa Gerasko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland, extended her thanks to MTU for hosting the examinations.
