"The attack on Ukraine affects the whole of Europe and reaches into all areas of everyday life. Many people have lost everything and are now on the run. Ukrainians throughout the country are looking to their homeland with concern and fear for the lives of their relatives or friends. Many people, especially young people at the country's universities, are facing an uncertain future. Rhineland-Palatinate stands by the side of Ukrainian students and researchers who have fallen on hard times due to the war in their home country," said Science Minister Clemens Hoch. Together with the Rhineland-Palatinate Scholarship Foundation and his ministry, an emergency aid fund has been set up for Ukrainian students.
Through the Rhineland-Palatinate Scholarship Foundation, the state is providing funds amounting to 150,000 euros to support students at universities and colleges in Rhineland-Palatinate in financial emergencies caused by the war in Ukraine. The main aim is to support students with Ukrainian citizenship, but in individual cases also other international students who are directly affected by the effects of the war. It is aimed at students who are already enrolled at universities and colleges in Rhineland-Palatinate, but also those who have fled and would like to continue their studies here. Financial support is available in the form of short-term scholarships and one-off payments. It can be applied for immediately. For example, the loss of previous other support or additional costs can be covered and unplanned stays at our universities can be supported. The funds can be applied for unbureaucratically at the relevant colleges and universities at which the students are enrolled or planning to enrol. For this purpose, the emergency situation and the resulting need for support must be briefly described. Proof of enrolment, nationality and residence status must also be provided for approval. "There will be an uncomplicated and swift approval process as well as rapid provision of funds," said the Minister.
"The universities in Rhineland-Palatinate have reacted quickly at their locations. In the short term, the main focus is now on providing help in special emergency situations. Many discussions have already taken place with students from Ukraine, who are very worried about their families and friends in Ukraine. The same applies to academics from Ukraine who are guests here," says Prof. Dr. Michael Jäckel, Chairman of the State University Presidents' Conference (LHPK), describing the measures taken by the state's universities and colleges. "The situation is very stressful. Psychosocial counseling services have already been initiated. If necessary and feasible, offers for students and/or academics from Ukraine are also being prepared at short notice. The counseling and support network that has been established in recent years is helping a lot in the current situation. And the student representatives are involved in many ways," says the LHPK Chairman and President of Trier University.
Rhineland-Palatinate universities are currently suspending institutional cooperation with state institutions in Russia until further notice. "Science knows no national borders and thrives on international cooperation. The Russian president has broken international law with his war in Ukraine. He does not care about international elements and cooperation. We must oppose this with a very clear stance," emphasized Science Minister Hoch. Rhineland-Palatinate universities and research institutions were therefore currently reviewing existing collaborations in all areas.
Contact persons and detailed information on the procedure for the emergency aid fund can be found on the corresponding websites of the state's colleges and universities, which can be found here: www.stipendienstiftung-rlp.de/hochschulen/
Questions about the program can be directed to the office of the scholarship foundation: www.stipendienstiftung-rlp.de/geschaeftsstelle/
(Press release of the Ministry of Science and Health RLP from March 8, 2022)
The statement by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD "Ukrainian students and researchers in Germany: Universities need support now" from 18.03.2022 can be found here.
The statement of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) "Solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian universities" of 24.02.2022 can be found under the following link:
https://www.hrk.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/pressemitteilung/meldung/solidaritaet-mit-der-ukraine-und-den-ukrainischen-hochschulen-hrk-verurteilt-russischen-angriff-488/
