{"id":139721,"date":"2025-01-09T10:53:16","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T09:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cesie.org\/?p=139721"},"modified":"2025-01-09T10:54:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T09:54:52","slug":"freeac-building-bridges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cesie.org\/en\/higher-education-and-research\/freeac-building-bridges\/","title":{"rendered":"Building bridges: how the international academic community is responding to war in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, universities around the world have responded with a range of initiatives to support<\/strong> Ukrainian students, researchers, and academics. Recognizing the devastating impact on higher education in Ukraine, institutions have mobilized to provide immediate and long-term assistance. Efforts include opening dormitories as temporary housing, offering scholarships and fee waivers, and creating dedicated registration processes for displaced students.<\/strong> Many universities have also provided psychological support, language classes, and integration assistance<\/strong> to ensure refugees can continue their education or research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Institutions such as the University of Bologna, Charles University, and Sorbonne University have strongly condemned the invasion and launched programs to accommodate Ukrainian students and academics. They have facilitated visiting positions for scholars, organized donation campaigns, and implemented specialized support services, including crisis counseling and legal aid.<\/strong> Collaboration with local governments and organizations has been pivotal in delivering these services effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universities have also engaged their academic and student communities in initiatives promoting peace and dialogue, including conferences, podcasts, and public seminars. <\/strong>In Poland, the University of Warsaw, deeply impacted by the refugee influx, has led humanitarian efforts, offering social, psychological, and legal support while organizing educational activities and fundraising for displaced Ukrainians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This collective response underscores the global higher education community's solidarity with Ukraine, prioritizing safety, academic continuity, and the values of peace and international cooperation amidst the ongoing crisis.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To contribute to the efforts made in order to mitigate the effects of the war on Ukranian Academia, FreeAc<\/a><\/strong> is working with the aims of connecting Ukranian HEIs with their displaced members and EU counterparts.<\/strong>

Building on the work of leading institutions around the world, the Consortium is currently providing means to participating HEIs to strengthen their teaching and learning. We believe this kind of cooperation will not only increase the internationalization of Ukrainian HEIs, but will also help foster cooperation capabilities of all partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out more about FreeAc and learn about all its innovations, contact Marco Gennaro: marco.gennaro@cesie.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

FreeAc \u2013 Promoting Academic Freedom in Ukraine<\/a> is a project funded by the Erasmus + Programme: Key Action 2 \u2013 Cooperation partnerships in higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n