HSE University Situation Centre Assists Over a Thousand Students
HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov met representatives of the HSE Situation Centre to discuss the results of its volunteers’ efforts. The meeting focused on new forms of support and the problems faced by students.
At present, nine coordinators and 72 volunteers are involved in Situation Centre’s activities. Over 600 applications have been processed over the last three weeks, and the Centre has contacted over 500 students to find out whether they are experiencing any difficulties or need any help. More than a thousand students have received help from the Centre’s coordinators and volunteers.
Many of the applications (41%) are requests to switch from on-site to online learning. Some students are abroad and cannot return to Russia due to flight bans, while others plan to leave due to various circumstances. Another reason given for switching to online learning or taking a leave of absence was a difficult emotional state. The second most-common reason for applications was the need for financial (19%) or psychological (10%) aid.
The HSE Situation Centre has become a role model for ten partner universities, including FEFU, Tomsk State University, and others.
Other topics discussed at the meeting with the Rector included the expansion of the Centre’s activities and the implementation of new forms of assistance. Student representatives said that HSE University had managed to improve and expand the scope of psychological help available, but there is room for further development. Last week, the university finished collecting applications from HSE psychology students for the first wave of a course to train volunteers in peer-to-peer counselling. Over 50 applications were processed. Successful applicants will go on to take a course at the HSE Centre for Psychological Counselling, after which they will be able to offer pre-counselling. Students will be able to spot volunteers on campus by their corresponding badges or find them via a dedicated Telegram bot. This will ensure that students get the necessary support, and that those who need specialist help will be referred to the Centre for Psychological Counselling. Plans are underway to expand the team of volunteer psychologists and create support groups administered by students.
Another innovation is prepaid lunches, which appeared in university cafeterias last week. Any staff member or student can buy a coupon for a set meal and hang it in a dedicated place so that students who are having financial difficulties can take the coupon and get a free lunch. There is no limit on the number of coupons that can be purchased. Set meals at HSE cafeterias currently cost 180 roubles, and the new initiative allows students in financial difficulty to save money.
The Rector praised the Situation Centre’s activities and urged them to keep up their team spirit.
To apply for a consultation, please contact the Centre via email at help@hse.ru or call +7(495) 628-53-20.
See also:
Research Results from HSE University Form Basis of UN Report on Volunteering
The first Regional State of Volunteering in Central Asia Review was presented at the UN Headquarters in New York as part of the annual High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The preparation of this document included the research conducted by the HSE Centre for Studies of Civil Society and the Nonprofit Sector (CSCSNS), with Viacheslav Ivanov, the Chief Expert of the Centre, serving as the lead author of the review.
‘The African Students Association Believes in Fostering an Inclusive and Diverse Atmosphere’
Russia is becoming an increasingly popular study destination for African students, and HSE University is actively seeking to attract more students from African countries. Bakary S. Sonko, from Gambia, is a master’s student at the Graduate School of Business and an active member of the volunteering community both at HSE University and beyond. In this interview, Bakary recounts his achievements as a volunteer and talks about how African students at HSE have built a supportive and welcoming community for each other.
‘Summer in Russia Has Been the Most Adventurous Holiday in My Life’
Sheripher Dinala, from Malawi, is a student of the Master’s in Political Analysis and Public Policy at HSE University in Moscow. With her busy summer over and the new academic year in full swing, Sheripher shares her stories of moving into a university dormitory, volunteering at international conferences, and nighttime dancing by the Moscow River.
‘Volunteering Is in Every Healthcare Worker’s Blood’
From August 7 to 9, the annual All-Russian Forum of Medical Volunteers took place at HSE University’s Cultural Centre. The event was held for the seventh year in a row. This year, 300 medical volunteers from all over Russia took part.
‘Earth Is Our Only Home; We Must Preserve It’
The Green HSE student organisation recently held the ‘Green Conversation’ festival at the Cultural Centre on Pokrovsky Bulvar. At the event, participants discussed the planet’s main ecological problems and the steps required to start building a green future today.
‘The Club Offers People with Mental Disabilities Something They Lack—Communication’
HSE University is known for its active extracurricular life. There are many student organisations at the university, so everyone can find something for themselves. Anna Lulikyan, fourth-year bachelor student in Sociology, told the HSE News Service about the Best Buddies HSE volunteer club.
Why Volunteers Keep Coming Back
HSE University researchers together with colleagues from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and the University of Pennsylvania examined the determinants of episodic volunteer satisfaction and its impact on the motivation to continue volunteering.
‘We Are Trying to Change Attitudes Towards Homelessness’
HSE University graduates and the Nochlezhka charity organisation have launched a social media project called ‘Gde-to ryadom’ (‘Somewhere Nearby’) about volunteering to help homeless people. The project offers a look at volunteer work from various perspectives through personal stories, expert opinions, and interactive cases.
Researchers from HSE University Compare Motivations of Volunteers at Winter Olympics in Sochi and Beijing
The Sochi 2014 Olympics volunteer programme involved 25,000 people. It was the first such volunteer project in Russia and was organised with support from the government, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Charity Festival Held by HSE University
HSE University Student Development Office held its traditional Charity Xmas festival from December 1th to 5th. The event was open to HSE University students, staff and graduates, and anybody else who wished to attend. This year for the first time, it was online, but nonetheless brought together a large number of guests and speakers. The HSE News Service spoke about volunteering and charity in the Coronavirus era.