You're reading: Yanukovych to raise student aid in March

  Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has instructed the government to take a number of measures to address the role of young people and students in the development of a democratic civil society.

The relevant order published on the president’s Web site instructs Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to revise by March 1, 2013 academic stipends so that they meet modern needs.

According to the document, the prime minister should ensure the involvement of students in the development of national youth policy, including into the discussion and completion of a new bill on higher education, and the introduction of new organizational, financial and credit mechanisms for providing young people with housing.

The prime minister should also finalize by the same deadline the draft strategy of the development of the state youth policy until 2020 with the participation of young people, including student, non-governmental organizations and representatives of student governments.

Azarov and Kyiv City State Administration Head Oleksandr Popov are also to resolve by April 15, 2013, the issue of the provision of premises in the capital city for the Youth House of Ukraine, and the formation of the International Youth Center on its basis.

In addition, the president instructed the prime minister of Ukraine and Prime Minister of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anatoliy Mohyliov to decide by March 1, 2013 together with Ukrainian NGO Student Republic and other youth and students organizations on the establishment of the International Student Center in Crimea.