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Ukraine

 

Mainz University of Applied Sciences stands for openness, tolerance and respect toward one another – across all national borders. We strongly condemn the attacks on Ukraine and express our sympathy and solidarity to all those affected.

 

On this page we would like to offer our support, especially to all those who had to flee from the war in Ukraine and are interested in studying at our university.

We will continuously update and add to this page.

A statement from universities of applied sciences (UASs) on the war in Ukraine

We are appalled by the ongoing war waged by Russia against the sovereign state of Ukraine, a war that is in clear violation of international law. We are deeply concerned about the lives and well-being of the Ukrainian people, of students and our colleagues at institutions of higher education. This is as an attack on our shared European values, on democracy and on freedom.
We stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
Many people fleeing Ukraine are expected to come to Germany, about 100,000 from the scientific sector alone. At universities of applied sciences, we are preparing to welcome large numbers of students, teaching staff and researchers. With our practice- and application-oriented focus, our international study programmes and partnerships, and building on experience gained in 2015 and in the years that followed, we can offer them short-term perspectives and – if they wish – a long-term connection to the German labour market.

Additionally, we will use the opportunities offered by digitalisation both to support universities in Ukraine and to establish Ukrainian-German platforms, for example, for collaborative teaching activities. Such teaching activities, in particular, can also provide openings for scientists and science managers: accommodating them on a large scale presents universities with different challenges to the admission of students.

We are counting on the federal and state governments to provide the funds needed to support students and academics from Ukraine and to offer appropriate assistance in a timely and unbureaucratic manner.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine concerns us all. We call on all members of universities to participate in non-violent demonstrations for peace, freedom and democracy. We ask for donations to support the Ukrainian people. We call on people to regularly inform themselves about developments through reliable sources and to spread no inappropriate messages, images or videos. We are committed to our responsibility to ensure peace and freedom and a knowledge-based view of the world. Our universities will continue to be non-discriminatory, liberal-minded places of diversity. We call for the respectful treatment of people from the Russian Federation. All those people who are taking a clear stance against this war at enormous personal risk deserve our great respect and recognition. We would like to thank all universities and university members who, in the past few days, have shown solidarity with Ukraine and with the refugees arriving in Germany, have maintained contact with our partner universities and who are preparing to continue their efforts in the long term.

The UAS’s joint website www.unglaublich-wichtig.de. provides information about the services currently offered by individual universities of applied sciences. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is also coordinating the nationwide support services of all higher education institutions through its website.

(The position paper was adopted during the annual meeting of the Bad Wiessee Conference on March 15-16, 2022.)

 

Support/assistance

If you, as a refugee student, need support in dealing with authorities, translations, or orientation at our university, please feel free to contact us. There are volunteers at our university who will be happy to assist you.

 

Administrative steps

Information on various organizational steps after arrival is provided by the city of Mainz here (only available in German).

 

Housing and support: Studierendenwerk Mainz

Refugee students can apply for a placement in a student dormitory at Studierendenwerk Mainz here. Questions about support can be sent by email ukraine (at) studierendenwerk-mainz.de or you can call 06131/39-24732.

 

Psychological counseling

The war in Ukraine weighs heavily on all of us and causes anxiety. We are all worried, we have fears, and we feel anger and sadness. Our psychological student counseling service offers all students the opportunity to contact them safely and with complete confidentiality. You can find the contact information here:

 

You want to get involved and actively participate in the near future?

Currently, we see two main possibilities for you:

1. Donate

You can always make a valuable contribution by supporting established relief organizations. Here are some links for fast, direct and effective aid:

For those who would still prefer to donate goods:

2. List of volunteers

Mainz University of Applied Sciences is compiling a list of volunteers who will be helping out in various settings in the near future. Please feel free to contact the International Office if you are interested in getting involved: gabriel.belinga (at) hs-mainz.de.

     

Who to contact

For general questions, contact the International Office headed by Gabriel Belinga Belinga.