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The University of Freiburg’s position on the war in Ukraine

Please note

If you have any questions or need support, please contact: ukraine@zv.uni-freiburg.de.

Fundraising campaign of the University of Freiburg to support Ukrainian students and researchers in Freiburg.

Перегляньте ці сторінки українською мовою – View these pages also in Ukrainian.

Statement
In general
Studies
Research
Support Services
Events
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Statement

The University of Freiburg condemns Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine. As a community, it stands by the Ukrainian people who are fighting for their freedom, their country and for democracy. The aggression emanating from Russia contradicts the values we stand for as a university. With the possibilities at our disposal, we would like to help Ukrainians and people who oppose the government in Russia.

The University of Freiburg supports the statements of the Alliance of Science Organisations and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) as well as the joint statement of the Presidents of the HRK and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

To the complete statement of the Alliance of Science Organizations [de]

220225-statement-allianz-ukraine-data (23 kB), 27. May 2024

On February 24, 2022, Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), emphasized on behalf of the HRK, among other things, “Our solidarity is with the entire Ukrainian population and especially with our higher education partners. We are very concerned about the lives and well-being of Ukrainian academics and students.”

The Eastern European historian Dietmar Neutatz rejects Vladimir Putin’s falsification of history to justify a war of aggression

“Universities are places where xenophobia, nationalism and exclusion have no place, even in times of international conflict. Differentiated perspectives, diversity of opinion and international exchange are the foundations of research and teaching at our universities. Especially in times when war is once again being waged in Europe with frightening brutality, universities are called upon to stand up for these values together.”

HRK-Präsident Prof. Peter-André Alt und DAAD-Präsident Alt Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee

Statement of 10 March 2022.

To the complete statement

In general

The Ministry of Research, Science and the Arts (MWK) Baden-Württemberg has addressed the universities in the state with a decree on how to deal with students, researchers and scientific institutions from Ukraine and Russia. The following decisions and considerations of the University of Freiburg regarding studies, teaching and research are based on this decree, which is also in line with the approach of the major scientific institutions in Germany. The university has also set up an interdepartmental working group to deal with further open questions. These include, for example, examining humanitarian and financial support options for students and researchers from Ukraine, as well as general support options for students and researchers currently fleeing Ukraine; or questions about a joint degree program with Russia. In addition, a joint fundraising campaign by the University’s booster associations and the Studierendenwerk Freiburg is underway.

We will keep you regularly informed about these and other issues.

Studies at the University of Freiburg

Перегляньте ці сторінки українською мовою
For the Ukrainian version, click here.

Students from Ukraine who are enrolled in Freiburg (degree-seeking and short-term students) can extend their stay even if it should have ended this semester. If you as a Ukrainian student have questions or need support, please contact: study@uni-freiburg.de

The following information on studies also apply to students from Ukraine with non-Ukrainian citizenship, who on February 24, 2022, have resided legally and not only temporarily (at least 90 days) in Ukraine and cannot safely and permanently return to their country of origin, i.e. already had a protection status in Ukraine (§ 24 Residence Act).

Applications as degree seeking students for undergraduate programs are possible if the students have already successfully completed one academic year in Ukraine and have the necessary German language skills (C1). If you have any questions, please contact us at study@uni-freiburg.de. Questions regarding the degree programs offered at the University of Freiburg should be directed to the Student Advisory Service of the Student Service Center: studium@uni-freiburg.de.

Tuition fees, already approved scholarships and Bafög

Students from Ukraine who have a residence title according to § 24 of the Residence Act and who take up studies in Baden-Württemberg are exempt from the obligation to pay tuition fees for international students starting with the summer semester 2022 (§ 5 paragraph 1 number 5 Landeshochschulgebührengesetz – LHGebG). The exemption is valid until February 25, 2025. Applications are being accepted by International Admissions and Services (IAS): study@uni-freiburg.de

his includes Ukrainian nationals, stateless persons or nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who have enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine prior to February 24, 2022, and are unable to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin.

Students from Ukraine with already approved scholarships can extend their stay. For questions, please contact International Admissions and Services (IAS) at the University of Freiburg: study@uni-freiburg.de

Ukrainian refugees who have taken up or are taking up studies in Germany can only receive BAföG if they themselves or one of their parents have resided in Germany for several years and have been legally employed. For students who have now fled, financial security during the first 18 months is provided by benefits under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act, for which a residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act is a prerequisite. This residence permit is issued by the responsible foreigners authority; those affected can apply at central contact points or at the nearest foreigners authority.

As of June 1, 2022, residence permit holders pursuant to § 24 AufenthG or a corresponding fictitious certificate pursuant to § 81 paragraph 5 in connection with paragraph 3 or 4 AufenthG, can receive BAföG if they have proof of having an appropriate language level and the subject-related requirements for university studies.

Students from Ukraine with non-Ukrainian citizenship

Non-Ukrainian third-country nationals who have resided lawfully and not only temporarily (at least 90 days) in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and who cannot return safely and permanently to their country of origin, i.e. who already had a protection status in Ukraine, are also granted protection (§ 24 Residence Act).

MWK contact point for students from Ukraine

The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK) has set up a central contact point for students from Ukraine. From now on, refugees from the war zone can obtain information about studying in Baden-Württemberg. Further information on the contact point can be found in the MWK press release.

Central Contact Point of the MWK

Press release of the MWK

Online course for Ukrainian and Freiburg students

University College Freiburg offers the “Digital Interdisciplinary Mini Academy” for Ukrainian and Freiburg students. The offer, which is carried out with Ukrainian partner universities, is funded by the DAAD.

Further Support

For further support, such as accommodation or psychosocial support, please use the help services listed on our website.

We also encourage all students and employees of the University to support existing relief initiatives, like the city’s housing initiative you find on our website.
All institutional teaching and study collaborations with Russia and Belarus are suspended, as are joint courses (including digital) with Russian institutions. Individual contacts and study projects may continue for the time being.

Studying abroad to Ukraine, Russia and Belarus for University of Freiburg students is not possible until further notice.

Information from the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg

Research

Перегляньте ці сторінки українською мовою
For the Ukrainian version, click here.

The MWK also addresses the area of research in its decree.

Cooperation with Russian and Belarusian research institutions and companies will be suspended and no new cooperation will be entered into until further notice. Here, too, individual contacts and research projects can continue.

Research guests from Russia and Belarus are currently no longer invited. Already existing offers to visit that have been extended to invited guests will be postponed indefinitely. Existing guests may remain for the duration of their funded stay.

Memberships of Russian and Belarusian scientists in committees at the University of Freiburg are suspended and new memberships are not offered until further notice.

The preparation of new publications with the participation of Russian and Belarusian research institutions will be suspended.

Until further notice, no more joint events (including digital ones) with Russian and Belarusian institutions will be held.

Request from the Ukrainian Young Scientist Council

The Young Scientist Council, an advisory body of young scientists to the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, draws attention to the situation of scientists in Ukraine with a publication. According to a survey conducted by the Young Scientist Council, researchers in Ukraine are mainly asking for support in the context of “remote research work”, for example, through the preparation of joint publications, access to data/archives, virtual participation in scientific conferences or as virtual guest lecturers for courses..

The University of Freiburg encourages scientists in Freiburg to maintain contacts with researchers and teachers in Ukraine as far as possible and to be open to networking.

Support Services

The war in Ukraine has evoked great compassion and solidarity. Anyone who would like to help or needs help themselves can find an overview of various offers here.

Fundraising campaign by the University of Freiburg to support Ukrainian students and researchers in Freiburg

To the fundraising campaign

Those who wish to help

Offering help for refugees

City of Freiburg on aid to Ukraine

Support services of the DFG support services for refugee research

Those who require assistance

Events

Events at or with the participation of the University of Freiburg that deal with the war in Ukraine can be found here at a glance and will be added to on an ongoing basis.

Past events

May 4, 2023: The War in Ukraine – Perspectives and Analyses from Russia
February 18, 2023: Kein Ende in Sicht? Putins Krieg gegen die Ukraine – eine Zwischenbilanz
December, 19, 2022: With Your Help: Humanitarian responses to the War in Ukraine
November 17, 2022: Erosion und Zukunft des Völkerrechts: Der Krieg in der Ukraine
Oktober 27, 2022: Humanitäres Völkerecht: Anmerkungen zum Schutz der Opfer des russisch-ukrainischen Krieges
July 21, 2022: The War in Ukraine – a “turning point” for China as well?
June 30, 2022: Belarus and Ukraine: Mutual and seperate paths to freedom
June 2, 2022: Identity Building and Sense of Belonging in Ukraine
May 30, 2022: Panel Discussion: Model or Burden? Rapallo and the difficult history of German-Russion relations (Focus Ukraine, Part 2)
May 19, 2022: The Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Gorbachev Era and the Policies of Perestoika and Glasnost (Focus Ukraine, Part 1)
May 16, 2022: German Studies Research at the University of Lviv
May 12, 2022: Ukrainian Language, Politics and Identity
May 10, 2022: Online information event for refugees from Ukraine
May 4, 2022: Informal networking meeting for researchers who are refugees
April 28, 2022: Ukrainians and Russians – Historical Classifications
April 27, 2022: Under the Mark of (Anti)Imperialism. On Recent Developments in the Post-Soviet Space
April 26, 2022: Discussion panel about Russia`s invasion of Ukraine
March 13, 2022: Four benefit concerts in the Freiburg Konzerthaus
March 11, 2022: Putin’s war in Ukraine and the Plight of the People
March 9, 2022: Return of the Empire? Putin’s war and its global implications

Videopodcast: Researchers address the war in Ukraine

In a series of video podcasts, Freiburg researchers will examine Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine from their different scientific perspectives

The war of aggression on Ukraine has evoked great compassion and solidarity at the University of Freiburg. At the same time, the war in the middle of Europe has triggered a feeling of insecurity and has raised many questions. With their expert knowledge, researchers at the University of Freiburg shed light on these questions. In a series of video podcasts, they will analyze the war from different scientific disciplines and perspectives.

Andreas Rauscher on social media attention

October 25, 2022

Social media play an important role in the war against Ukraine. Dr Andreas Rauscher from the Institute for Media Cultural Studies explains, among other things, how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj uses them.

Andreas Gelz on France’s position

August 16, 2022

“The country is indeed experiencing watershed moment,” says Prof. Dr. Andreas Gelz about the new political majority in France. The Romance philologist explains France’s position regarding the war in Ukraine, talks about Macron’s efforts to reach a ceasefire and about the security of France’s gas supply.

Anke Weidlich on the energy crisis in Europe

August 11, 2022

Anke Weidlich, Professor for Control and Integration of Grids, assesses the energy situation in the coming winter and explains, among other things, what role European networks play in the energy crisis. She also talks about what we can do to contribute to energy security in the coming winter and believes “both industrial consumers, commercial consumers and we as household consumers have a duty to make sure we can reduce consumption to cope with this crisis.”

Stefan Kaufmann on German Civil Defense

July 27, 2022

“The specific thing in Germany is that the bunkers were dismantled,” says the sociologist Prof. Dr. Stefan Kaufmann. He explains the peculiarities of German civil defense and draws comparisons to preparations made by other countries to protect the population in the event of war.

Sieglinde Lemke explains the role of the USA

July 19, 2022

“We’re already seeing rising prices in Europe and in the USA,” explains the American studies professor. She describes what the war means for the US economy and what position the USA is taking on the invasion of Ukraine.

Clemens Jürgenmeyer on India’s political stance

June 30, 2022

“India’s situation is rather uncomfortable. India is trying to keep its independence,” analyses Clemens Jürgenmeyer, a staff member at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute in Freiburg. The South Asia expert explains India’s political balancing act between its ally Ukraine and military dependence on Russia.

Jan Henrik Klement on the Protection of Freedom of Information by Law

9. Juni 2022

“It’s about the protection of freedom per se,” says the jurist Prof. Dr. Jan Henrik Klement on freedom of information and explicates how and why it is protected by law. In addition, he explains why it is nevertheless possible to ban Russian media like Russia Today.

Dustin Kubas on Alternatives to Fossil Energy Sources from Russia

May 18, 2022

“If we want to become independent of fossil energy sources in the future – including Russian energy sources – we will have to become more climate-neutral and rely on climate-neutral technologies and green hydrogen,” says Dustin Kubas, doctoral candidate at the Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry. He explains what alternative energy sources are available to replace raw material imports from Russia.

Daniel Leese on the Chinese Position on the War in Ukraine

13. Mai 2022

“The war originally did not suit the Chinese at all. However, they have now dialectically come to terms with the situation and are trying to make the best of it,” says Prof. Dr. Daniel Leese from the Institute of Sinology. The Sinologist explains how to assess the recently proclaimed friendship between China and Russia and why China is now portraying itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.

Tim Krieger on the Economic Consequences of the War in Ukraine for Germany and Russia

May 3, 2022

Economist Prof. Dr. Tim Krieger makes it clear why the economic sanctions against Russia need time to take effect and how the German and Russian economic systems differ significantly. In addition, he explains the European Central Bank’s reluctant stance in the debate on whether to raise interest rates.

Dietmar Neutatz clarifies the role of the War in Ukraine in Putin’s long-term objectives?

April 22, 2022

Prof. Dr. Dietmar Neutatz, Professor of Modern and East European History, also elaborates on Putin’s justification for the war and what the Russian president understands by his “mission” of “denazification.”

Bernhard Spielberg explains the position of the Church in the War in Ukraine

April 13, 2022

“The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has evidently become a very close friend of Putin in recent years,” says Prof. Dr. Bernhard Spielberg from the Faculty of Theology. The theologian also explains what role the Catholic Church is playing in the search for a peace settlement and why the supply of arms to Ukraine is consistent with the doctrine of peace for German bishops.

Felix Ettensperger on software-based prediction of wars and conflicts

April 8, 2022

Doctoral student Felix Ettensperger from the Department of Political Science explains how wars and conflicts can be predicted on the computer and for what kind of conflicts this prediction works well. He is convinced: “These conflict predictions can then be used for preemptive interventions in conflict regions.“

Paulina Starski describes the international law perspective

April 5, 2022

The jurist Paulina Starski explains why the invasion of Ukraine is a war of aggression in violation of international law and why the annexation of Crimea is also illegal.

Elisabeth Cheauré talks about Cooperation with Russian Universities

March 31, 2022

“We are trying to maintain contact on an individual level,” says Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Cheauré, senior professor at the Slavic Department regarding current dealings with Russian partner universities. Cheauré reports on the consequences of sanctioning scientific collaborations with Russia’s research institutions that have been put on hold.

Andreas Urs Sommer: Philosophical Implications

March 29, 2022

Philosopher Prof. Dr. Andreas Urs Sommer talks about his hope that democracies will regard the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to regroup and strengthen themselves. Furthermore, he explains why Ukraine’s surrender to protect lives is not an option at the moment.

Günther Schulze: Economic Interdependence

25. März 2022

“In economic terms, Russia is losing every day,” says Prof. Dr. Günther Schulze. The Freiburg economist describes what economic consequences Ukraine, Russia, and Western countries will face on account of the war. In addition, he explains what importance Russia has as a trade partner for Germany.

Andreas Mehler: The African perspective on the war

March 21, 2022

“The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has evidently become a very close friend of Putin in recent Development policy expert Prof. Dr. Andreas Mehler explains how the war in Ukraine is affecting countries in Africa and to what extent Russia’s involvement on the continent is also playing a role.