Web site: http://profkom.ua/

The University Student Trade Union has protected the rights of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students for more than 80 years. Today it is the most numerous public organization of the University with almost 9 000 members representing their interests at all University Schools.

Any full-time undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate student regardless of citizenship, political or religious beliefs may become a member of the Trade Union.

It has a clear-cut structure and governing bodies, which can directly turn to regional and national authorities with issues concerning the protection of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students? rights.

The Trade Union is governed by an elected body ? the Union Committee comprised of the most active representatives from University Schools. The Auditing Committee controls the financial operations of the Union and its records as well.

The Trade Union Committee represents the interests of the union members in regional and all-Ukrainian youth organizations, actively cooperates with employment centers and a range of Kharkiv Regional Administration departments.

The Trade Union Committee addresses issues of social and economic protection, teaching process, life conditions, leisure, sports, recreation and employment.

The Trade Union Committee has the following tasks:

• to provide assistance to disadvantaged students;
• to encourage students? academic progress, their active participation in the University public life, research and sports achievements;
• to organize students? summer and winter recreational programs (including tours to foreign countries);
• to organize excursion to cultural landmarks of Ukraine;
• to provide discounts for students? recreation at Burevisnyk Recreation Center, as well as at the Fihurovka Sports Training and Recreation Camp;
• to distribute theatre tickets and tickets for entertainment shows;
• to assist in applying for housing subsidies;
• to provide discount fares in the city underground;
• to issue international student?s identity cards ISIC and IYTC;
• to provide for accident insurance;
• to organize Youth Labor Teams (finding work for students during summer holidays);
• to control food quality in University canteens;
• to run international students? exchange and training programs;
• to run annual The University Student Trade Union Cup in volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton;
• to hold sports contests for hostel residents as well as The Best Hostel Room competitions;
• to assist in celebrating School Days;
• to organize events for the World AIDS Day and World Tuberculosis Day;
• to conduct University Beauty Contests and Alma Mater first-year students talent show.

These issues are addressed by the Trade Union Subcommittees on Social and Economic Issues, Organizational Issues, Sports and Recreation, Administrative Issues, Employment, University Food Quality Control. The Trade Union Committee closely cooperates with the University Student Council, Student Scientific Society and Student Councils of Halls of Residence.

E-mail: ppos@karazin.ua