Ukrainian refugees: a national solidarity effort in higher education and research

In a circular sent to all heads of institutions, the Minister of Higher Education mentions the "temporary protection" available to Ukrainian students in the form of residence rights, housing, social security and financial aid. A brief overview of these various initiatives for Ukrainian students already in France and for those who could be welcomed in the future.

Practical initiatives for Ukrainian students already in France

As a result of this general governmental framework, the institutions themselves are organizing solidarity initiatives. As an example, we will mention a few initiatives identified by France Universités (Conference of University Presidents) throughout France.
 

First of all, various universities in France are already providing assistance to Ukrainian students:

• The Universities of Nantes and Angers, with the help of CROUS, are providing material assistance (including rent payments);

• Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University approved an emergency aid plan for its students affected by the war in Ukraine, which provides for an emergency aid fund to pay a renewable allowance of up to 500 euros per month to the students concerned;  the University of Lille has also released an emergency fund for its Ukrainian students;

• Paul Valery University Montpellier is supporting its students who are affected by the conflict in Ukraine by setting up a listening, assistance and counseling point at the Student Information Center, as well as a collection point for donations;

• The Universities of Bordeaux have set up a crisis unit offering psychological support and special follow-up, including financial help.

In addition to the universities, the Grandes Écoles are also getting involved:

• Skema Business School has appealed to its community to offer solidarity and support for the victims of the war in Ukraine, in the form of a solidarity fund with an initial fundraising target of 200,000 euros;

• Sciences Po Paris has reached out to students of Ukrainian nationality to offer them its help with material and psychological difficulties, in cooperation with the Paris City Hall and government services.

Finally, at the end of February, in Paris, Cité Internationale Universitaire (CIUP) took initial steps to support students affected by the war in Ukraine and to support Ukrainian students and researchers living on campus. The CIUP is providing logistical support for administrative procedures and solidarity initiatives, as well as an exceptional system of free and partial rebates on rent and one-euro meals (courtesy of CROUS).

Local projects to welcome displaced students

Other projects, which are beginning to take shape, are intended to welcome refugee and displaced students in the near future. Some of the institutions involved in these efforts are:

• The University of Lille where, together with its foundation, the university is launching a call for donations to finance scholarships for students and to welcome scientists in exile;

• ESCP Business School is launching ESCP4U (short for ESCP for Ukraine) a program for Ukrainian refugees that involves supporting and training a total of 300 refugees starting in April on each of its European campuses. A second project will provide scholarships to Ukrainian students that will include a full tuition waiver;

• PSL University has set up a Ukraine Solidarity Plan to help students, researchers and scholars impacted by the crisis;

• The University of Rennes is ready to welcome Ukrainian students, doctoral students and teachers at the two Universities of Rennes 1 and 2 and at the five Grandes Écoles of Rennes. It will offer French courses and a degree program specifically designed for students in exile.

Programs and institutional networks for welcoming researchers

Beyond these specific initiatives, there are a number of institutional programs already underway to welcome Ukrainian researchers in France:

• The PAUSE Program which, in response to the urgent situation facing the scientific and cultural communities affected by the war in Ukraine, is launching two special PAUSE - Solidarity Ukraine funds, one for scientists and another for artists and creators. This program for researchers provides emergency assistance to finance the stay of a Ukrainian researcher, and his/her family if necessary, for a period of three months in a volunteer institution;

• The European Research Area for Ukraine portal, available on the EURAXESS website, is a one-stop shop for information and support services for established researchers based in Ukraine who are fleeing the country. The portal, which lists EU-wide initiatives, aims to help researchers find accommodation and employment opportunities and to promote the recognition of their diplomas;

• The MenS Network (Migrants in Higher Education) brings together French higher education institutions who are committed to welcoming and supporting exiled students and researchers. The MEnS Network will provide all of the French language training, academic integration and retraining programs already available at its 42 member universities and schools;

• The Science for Ukraine collective coordinates the reception of Ukrainian students and researchers and lists on its website the places available and the aid, such as housing, employment and scholarships, offered to refugees by universities and higher education institutions worldwide.