10 years of Victor Pinchuk Foundation scholarship programs, over 2000 grantees to change Ukraine: Anders Fogh Rasmussen speaks at Forum to welcome 110 new scholarship holders

On June 17 Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Denmark, will speak at the Forum of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation’s scholarship programs Zavtra.UA and WorldWideStudies (WWS) in Kyiv.

The event welcomes about 400 scholarship holders of the past 10 years, among which 100 new Zavtra.UA scholars who will get support for their studies and implementation of social projects in Ukraine, as well as 7 grantees of WWS program to study abroad at the world’s best universities.

The aim of both programs has been to help create, over the 10 past years, a generation which has an excellent education and skills, as well as the experience of having been exposed to international best practices and ideas, or having lived in open democratic, modern societies. A generation which will think and feel differently and therefore be able to make a strong contribution to building a new country – in line with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation’s mission since 2006: To empower future generations to become the change makers of tomorrow.

In this year, the alumni of the WorldWideStudies program have collected donations to co-finance one of the scholarships – beginning a tradition to give back.

Also, during a three-day workshop, Zavtra.UA grantees will gain practical skills and knowledge from leading Ukrainian experts, representatives of grant-giving organizations and civic activists on how to contribute to building a new Ukraine.

Since 2006, the nationwide scholarship program Zavtra.UA has supported over 2300 young Ukrainians in their studies, and encouraged them to create social projects to change Ukraine. Since 2010, the WorldWideStudies scholarship program has provided grants for almost 100 of Ukraine’s best students to receive a Masters’ degree at the world’s best universities and then return to apply their knowledge to transform Ukraine.

WorldWideStudies is aimed at fostering a new generation of Ukrainian professional elites. The project encourages Ukrainian youth to get Master’s degrees at the world’s best universities to then return to Ukraine and apply their knowledge for their country. Since 2010, 94 young Ukrainians have been granted WorldWideStudies scholarships. The majority has returned to Ukraine and started working by the obtained specialty.

Grants are offered in the following 6 fields which we see as strategically important for the development of Ukraine: public law, public administration, agriculture, environment and ecology, aerospace engineering, alternative energies. The grant amount is based on the needs and merits of each student. Grants can cover up to 60% of the amount required. Students have to find matching funding themselves.

More about the program at: worldwidestudies.org

Zavtra.UA is Ukraine’s first privately funded nationwide scholarship program, aimed at creating a new generation in Ukraine with top education and a strong sense of civic responsibility that will change the country. Since 2006, over 2400 students joined the Zavtra.UA community.

Selecting the most talented students of Ukraine the foundation provides them with financial support to allow them to concentrate on their education. Support is also provided for projects to change society (55 individual and 75 group projects supported up to now); and for developing skills, networking, exchange of experience and information.

Zavtra.UA scholarship holders are selected annually in an open nationwide competition. All years students studying full time in their third to sixth year can participate. Academic excellence, leadership qualities, communication skills and the desire and ability to contribute to transforming Ukraine are among the selection criteria.

Selected WWS and Zavtra.UA scholarship holders also have an opportunity to communicate with international leaders and get infused with their ideas at the Annual Meetings of Yalta European Strategy (YES), and Public Lectures of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation with political, business and thought leaders.

More about the program at: zavtra.in.ua