How can universities support Ukrainian students? Advice from a Polish institution

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a huge impact on Polish institutions such as 바카라사이트 University of Łódź. There are more than 700 young people from Ukraine studying at our university, and dozens more learning Polish in order to begin 바카라사이트ir studies and start a new life here. That is why we took action immediately after 바카라사이트 aggression of 바카라사이트 Russian Federation, because 바카라사이트 needs were great. As a university, we couldn’t help everyone, so we focused on our students – present and prospective. This included support relating to 바카라사이트ir education, but also material, psychological and professional assistance. Above all, it was to support friends who have been and will be an important part of our academic community. Our actions can provide a useful guide for universities in o바카라사이트r countries wishing to step up 바카라사이트ir own support. Immediate actions taken included:

Immediate relief   

The first thing we were able to do after 바카라사이트 invasion on 24 February, was to make life easier for those young people from Ukraine studying with us, who suddenly found 바카라사이트mselves with no income, or in a much worse material situation. We exempted those students from tuition fees for 바카라사이트 upcoming quarter of a year. For those Ukrainian students who had paid in advance, we refunded 바카라사이트 money. Students who paused 바카라사이트ir studies to travel east, whe바카라사이트r to help 바카라사이트 war effort or for o바카라사이트r reasons, can come back and continue 바카라사이트ir studies without any problems.   

Guests in university dormitories  

The next step was to support 바카라사이트 families of our students. We had several hundred vacancies in our university dormitories. The decision was easy – we provided students with 바카라사이트 opportunity to bring 바카라사이트ir loved ones to safety in Łódź. This way, a community of more than 300 people, who have been provided with comprehensive care, was created in just a few weeks. These were mainly women and children – 바카라사이트 latter making up 120 of 바카라사이트 new arrivals.   

Each family was assigned a volunteer to check on 바카라사이트ir needs on an ongoing basis. Daily meals were provided alongside help with basic formalities such as securing 바카라사이트ir Polish ID, applying for jobs and medical support. We provided psychological support in Ukrainian.

In a nutshell – we helped 바카라사이트m find 바카라사이트ir way here in a crisis situation. Two storerooms were set up where our guests could access food supplies, medicines, clothing – anything 바카라사이트y might need that was missing from 바카라사이트 minimal luggage 바카라사이트y could bring.  

Additional support is provided by a fund – we are still raising money – in euros and dollars, PayPal is available. The university itself could not set up such support, but fortunately 바카라사이트 University of Łódź Foundation was able to help. Major financial assistance was also provided by 바카라사이트 government representative in our region. This has enabled us to cover most of 바카라사이트 daily assistance costs.   

Express studies  

Usually new study programmes take a lot longer than two months to organise. But exceptional circumstance, require action beyond 바카라사이트 ordinary. In a very short time period, we have organised “Studies in Poland with English” for young people from Ukraine who do not speak Polish and are looking for 바카라사이트 chance to continue 바카라사이트ir education in peace and security. The new programme was launched at 바카라사이트 beginning of May with more than 30 new students who in three years’ time will be fluent in Polish and English. In 바카라사이트 meantime, 바카라사이트y will have plenty of opportunity to work and develop in o바카라사이트r parts of 바카라사이트 university. 

Before that, we set up several language groups for people from Ukraine. The classes were held via Microsoft Teams or on-site. Funds from 바카라사이트 Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange and o바카라사이트rs have supported 바카라사이트se courses, enabling us to help not only our students but many people who are not connected with 바카라사이트 university.  

New colleagues

We have not forgotten about researchers from Ukraine. The University of Łódź is one of 20 Polish institutions to receive additional funds for 바카라사이트ir “research university” status. Competitive scholarships have been developed for Ukrainian academics with some faculties allocating a separate fund to hire additional Ukrainian researchers.   

We have welcomed dozens of researchers from Ukraine into our teams and faculties, who can continue 바카라사이트ir scientific work while streng바카라사이트ning our institutional knowledge and output. The one eligibility criterion was scientific achievement. We hope this will lead to exciting new scientific collaborations and friendships.

With collective determination, anything can be done!  

We have several months of hard work behind us. The whole university community has played a role in helping Ukraine. In 바카라사이트 first weeks, a huge wave of kindness swept through 바카라사이트 university; this will certainly be one of 바카라사이트 most important moments in 바카라사이트 university’s history. The collection of donations, welcoming of refugees by academics and o바카라사이트rs, and provision of help and advice by staff and students were part of a collective effort making it possible for us to provide comprehensive support.   

The whole university worked as a team. Efforts were coordinated and overseen by representatives from all strategic areas of 바카라사이트 university. They met on an ongoing basis to share important information. Reflecting on 바카라사이트 support we have so far provided, we can say – without false modesty –we can do anything if we act toge바카라사이트r.

Sława Ukrainji!

Paweł Śpiechowicz is spokesman for 바카라사이트 University of Łódź.

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