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The Presidential Board of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has decided to suspend all current cooperation agreements with Russian partners in research and teaching until further notice.
In concrete terms, this means:
- Cooperation and mobility programmes with Russian universities will be suspended.
- business trips and excursions to Russia will not take place
- Procurements and orders of research equipment from Russia will be halted.
- Cooperation in joint research projects is suspended
Humboldt-Universität distinguishes between institutions and individuals. This means: For Russian students in Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral programmes at HU, these measures have no consequences - they are students at HU. However, the decision does have an impact on joint doctoral and double degree programmes. Individual solutions will be worked out for students and doctoral candidates enrolled in such programmes, as well as for programme students from Russian partner universities who are currently in Germany.
"In view of the dramatic developments in Ukraine, we are forced to send such a signal," says Peter Frensch, Acting President of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. "This war in the middle of Europe threatens peace, freedom and democracy and thus also the foundations of academic freedom and academic cooperation." The Presidential boars notes with great respect the statement by hundreds of Russian academics against the war of aggression in Ukraine. "Humboldtians see themselves as bridge builders between countries and cultures. This applies - particularly in view of our own history - especially with regard to Eastern Europe," says Peter Frensch: "We will resume cooperation with our partner institutions in Russia as soon as the conditions for this have been created. That means above all: an end to Putin’s war against Ukraine."
Support for students and academics
Humboldt-Universität’s solidarity goes especially to the people in Ukraine. On Friday, 4 March, all Humboldtians are invited to join together in making a statement against war and violence. In addition, Humboldt-Universität is offering concrete support to Ukrainian students and researchers.This includes the following measures:
- Humboldt-Universität will set up an emergency fund for Ukrainian students.
- Within the framework of "Refugees Welcome @ HU" and "Scholars at Risk", Ukrainian academics and students will receive comprehensive advice on residence issues and social concerns.
- Ukrainian HU students and researchers as well as faculties with research collaborations in Russia and Ukraine receive a separate advisory service.
- Humboldt-Universität endeavours to enable Ukrainian academics and students to advance and complete their studies and their own research projects in Berlin within the framework of sponsorship programmes.
"We will not leave our fellow Ukrainian students and colleagues alone," says Dr. Yoan Vilain, Presidential Commissioner for International Affairs and Europe. "Our offers of assistance are closely coordinated with the German Academic Exchange Service and the Alliance of Science Organisations. In addition, we want to bundle joint efforts even more in the Berlin University Alliance in the future."
Currently, several doctoral students and research assistants from Ukraine are conducting research at HU. Humboldt-Universität also cooperates with the Ukrainian universities Taras Shevchenko University Kyiv and Ivan Franko University Lviv and runs three exchange programmes with these universities.
A total of around 200 students with Ukrainian citizenship are currently studying at Humboldt-Universität. Around 460 students with Russian citizenship are enrolled at Humboldt-Universität.
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