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How Are Universities Helping Ukrainian Refugees?

Over 2.5 million people have already fled the war in Ukraine, creating the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since the beginning of the Second World War. As a result, the European Union (EU) has granted Ukrainians the right to stay and work throughout its 27 member nations for up to three years. They will receive social welfare, access to housing, and medical treatment. Just as importantly, schools, and universities are making sure these refugees have the right and access to education. It means they can continue their studies or begin new courses, giving them the skills, knowledge, and confidence to build better lives for themselves and their families. Here's a look at how universities and colleges around the world are supporting refugee students from Ukraine.

Mar 25, 2022
  • International News
How Are Universities Helping Ukrainian Refugees?

Fast-tracked visas for Ukrainian students

Many of Ukraine's universities have closed, leaving tens of thousands of young Ukrainians facing an even more uncertain future. Germany is one nation offering them a chance to continue their education in safety.

The University of Jena now fast-tracks visas and applications for refugee students escaping the war zone. Course options include bachelor and master programmes. There's also a special initiative to help former PhD refugee students continue their research.

“War is terrible and dreadful, but it need not destroy the future of young students from Ukraine,” states the University of Jena. "Every individual needs a purpose, a goal to pursue, and a future to believe in.Despite their personal circumstances, we firmly believe that these students should not be deprived of their future opportunities. We are ready to help these students bridge this difficult time by obtaining an adequate academic degree in Germany/Jena. It will help them to shape the future of their home country."

Also, many, many other universities in Germany are providing financial aid and support to Ukrainian students, researchers, and academics.

Europe comes together

The University of Jena isn't the only school supporting Ukrainian students. Six more German Universities, including the Technical University of Munich and The Free University of Berlin, have volunteered to assist incoming Ukrainian students. Support includes financial assistance and a dedicated team to manage visa applications.

In Poland, the Medical University of Gdansk has started an initiative called "Midwives for Ukraine." It's helping incoming Ukrainian pregnant women find the medical and financial support they need.

The University of Lodz has volunteered its vacant student dorms to Ukrainian refugees, created a special form for Ukrainians to fill out to determine what kind of help is needed, offered tuition fee exemptions, and more. Meanwhile, students from the University of Warsaw are collecting medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to send to Ukraine. Law students at The University of Warsaw are also providing free legal aid for Ukrainians who want permanent residency in Poland.

Estonia is stepping up amid the crisis

Estonian institutions are supporting Ukrainian students and preparing to welcome refugees. Impressively, all Estonian universities are ready to enrol Ukrainian youth in the forthcoming academic year. All of the 274 current Ukrainian students, at 10 different Estonian universities, are exempted from tuition fees for the spring semester 2022 and many universities will have the same exemption for the autumn semester. Also all universities in the nation have implemented scholarship funds, funded by universities, alumni and other Estonians. Some universities also offer the possibility of academic leave to current Ukrainian students.

100 students responded to Estonian Academy of Arts' (EKA) call for students from Ukrainian art colleges ravaged by war to continue their studies at the institution. As of Tuesday 15 March, 17 Ukrainian art students had arrived at EKA and were in the process of settling in.

"They have chosen the majors they want, and the faculty to whom we have directed them are currently doing incredibly good work and have agreed to put everything else aside and focus on them in order to help them adjust here," EKA Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Anne Pikkov told ETV.

France steps up for Ukrainian artists

The French government launched a support fund of €1 million to help Ukrainian artists and arts professionals. Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, the minister of culture, says, "We want Ukrainian artists to be supported. We want them to continue their important creative work in France. The funds we're offering will be in the form of research grants and funding for artistic projects, but also for organizing exhibitions."

Some of the money will also fund a secure telephone service to help dissident artists trapped in Ukraine communicate with the rest of the world. The French Ministry of Culture also introduced an additional €300,000 for Ukrainian art students who want to enroll at French colleges and universities.

Financial aid to study in Denmark

To show their solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Denmark has also allocated significant funds for Ukrainian refugee aid programs. Moreover, Danish ministers are working on plans to offer free education to all incoming Ukrainians. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks, although commentators are confident that the outcome will be positive.

"It's the moral thing to do," said Mattias Tesfaye, the Danish minister for foreign affairs and integration. "When there is war in Europe, and a European neighbor is exposed to what we see in Ukraine, there is not the slightest doubt in my mind: We must help in all the best ways we can."

Japan takes in refugee students

Earlier this month, three Ukrainian refugee students arrived in the western Japanese prefecture of Fukuoka. They came from Lviv in Western Ukraine and the capital city, Kyiv.

The three students are now enrolled at the Japan University of Economics in Dazaifu City, where they will study marketing and business administration. Staff and students from the school welcomed the new arrivals with flowers, Ukrainian flags, and placards displaying messages of support. "Japan stands with all the students of Ukraine," read one sign.

The university's president, Tsuzuki Asuka, confirmed that another 70 students would arrive from Ukraine over the next few weeks. The Japan University of Economics is providing dormitory accommodation and teaching materials free of charge, as well as free Japanese language lessons and mental health services. Many local businesses are offering paid internships to help the students pay for their living expenses.

Jobs, houses, and education for refugees

Hungary has taken in around 140,000 Ukrainian refugees since the start of the conflict. Many are being housed at unused university accommodation blocks.

Hungary is offering jobs to the trained medical staff coming from Ukraine. The government also announced financial support to employers giving jobs to Ukrainian refugees. Eligible companies will receive €160 ($176) per month for each Ukrainian refugee they employ and an additional €32 ($35) for each of their children.

In addition to these measures, Hungary is sending huge amounts of food and fuel to Transcarpathia, a western Ukrainian region with a large ethnic Hungarian population.

How to get more schools involved

Jake McGrew is an international researcher based at the Central European University School of Public Policy. A Ukrainian speaker who spent five years in the country as part of the Peace Corps, Jake has created a template letter and email urging schools to accept Ukrainian students during the conflict.

Jake put a link to the letter on his Linkedin page. Anyone interested in helping can download a template, fill in a few details, and then forward a copy to the director of admissions at their current or former school.

Ireland is helping too

The Education Ministry in Ireland has offered reduced tuition fees for Ukrainian students fleeing the conflict. Additional support includes free English language courses and mental health services.

A group of students from Trinity College Dublin has created a dedicated support network for the new arrivals. The National University of Ireland in Galway is finalizing plans to develop new scholarship programs for Ukrainian student refugees. The University of Limerick is also playing its part. A team of students, tutors, and staff came together to collect medical goods and essential items. They are now on their way to overwhelmed hospitals in Ukraine.

These initiatives ensure that, amid an awful situation, thankfully many Ukrainians will still have the opportunity to pursue their ambitions and fulfill their true potential.

Ashley Murphy

Author

After graduating with a degree in English literature and creative writing, Ashley worked as a bartender, insurance broker, and teacher. He became a full-time freelance writer in 2016. He lives and writes in Manchester, England.