The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) appeal to the Federal Government: a support programme for German universities to accept and support Ukrainian students and researchers must be launched now.
"Three weeks after the start of the Russian war of aggression, the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate. As the fighting continues, the refugee numbers predicted by the European Union of up to seven million people become increasingly likely. German universities therefore need immediate support to massively expand their existing commitment to the integration of Ukrainian students and researchers," said DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee.
"The universities and also we as the HRK are currently receiving urgent enquiries from Ukrainian students and academics on a daily basis. We want to do everything we can to ensure that they can continue their studies and their careers in Germany," said HRK President Prof Dr Peter-André Alt. "In terms of language and subject-related preparation and integration of students, the universities can fall back on proven structures, but for this they need the appropriate financial support."
The DAAD previously called for a support programme for German universities at the beginning of March, as up to 100,000 Ukrainian students and researchers could be expected to come to German universities. The proposed programme comprises five pillars that have already proven their worth in other conflicts:
• Supporting German universities in the language and subject-related integration of refugee students and prospective students into universities
• Scholarships for Ukrainian students, doctoral candidates and academics who will be coming to Germany in the coming weeks and months, as well as the unbureaucratic extension of funding for those who are already in the country
• Supporting German universities in the development and provision of digital resources for their Ukrainian partner institutions as long as they can continue to operate
• Leadership programmes for future leaders who can take on leadership roles in Ukraine after the situation stabilises
• Supporting German universities in the further qualification of academically pre-qualified individuals with a view to entering the German labour market
At the request of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK) and supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the DAAD will also expand its online resources for German universities on Ukraine and for Ukrainian students and researchers into a National Contact Point Ukraine. The HRK supports its member universities and the DAAD in bringing support services together and making them visible.
HRK webpage on the impact of the war in Ukraine on the higher education system (in German)
Information relating to Ukraine on the DAAD website
Press contacts
HRK
Susanne Schilden
Head of Communications, Press Officer
+49 228 887-152
schilden@hrk.de
DAAD
Michael Flacke
Head of Press and Communications Office/Press Officer – SB03
+49 228 882-454
presse@daad.de
