- 'The situation is difficult, we know that and we are here for you. You have our full support. Let us be in direct contact, tell us what you need and what else we can do,' - appealed to Ukrainian students prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk.
Photo: Alan Stocki/UG
On Tuesday, March 1, the Main Library of the University of Gdańsk hosted a meeting (in the hybrid formula), during which the UG authorities, Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, dr hab. Anna Jurkowska-Zeidler, prof. UG, and Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Quality, dr hab. Arnold Kłonczyński, prof. UG, assured Ukrainian students of their full support in this difficult time.
The Rectors recalled the activities carried out at UG to help Ukraine, i.e. aid provided by the UG Academic Psychological Support Centre, an intensive Polish language course launched by the Faculty of Philology in cooperation with the Academic Centre for Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners, or temporary financial aid for Ukrainian students in need.
The Rector of UG informed about the creation of an e-mail address ukraina@ug.edu.pl and asked to communicate through it any issues related to the humanitarian crisis that the university could help in solving.
- 'A lot of people want to help, we want to accept this help and we want to coordinate all the activities well. That is why, among other things, we have entered into an agreement with the city of Gdańsk, joining the "Gdańsk Pomaga" campaign. Please help us in this coordination,' - said the Rector of UG. - 'If, for example, you have problems with organising transport for your families, we can also, through participation in this programme, help you find willing volunteers who will go with you to the border, pick up your family and bring them here to Gdańsk. We just need some information from you.'
Prof. Piotr Stepnowski also drew attention to the steps taken together with the Deans to check the possibility of accepting scientists from Ukrainian universities.
Later in the meeting, the floor was taken by prof. UG Arnold Kłonczyński, who discussed the most important current student issues.
- 'Your situation at the university is diverse, you have varying legal statutes, a different situation because each of you is at a different point in your studies. I encourage you to make use of the Academic Psychological Support Centre, which not only provides psychological support, but also has information about who else can help. We know that social and living issues related to your financial situation are extremely important. We have sent you an email about possible one-off financial assistance. We would also like to remind you that if anyone still needs an emergency place in the UG halls of residence, we are prepared to do so, please let us know and we will act,' assured the Vice-Rector.
As he added - no one will be left without help: - 'We will flexibly react to every situation and advise on what to do next, e.g. whether you can continue your studies in Poland, on what basis, whether you can apply for studies from October 1st and how to do it,' - said prof. UG Arnold Kłonczyński. - 'Many things on the level of national legislation are still changing, new legal solutions are being prepared i.a. by the Ministry, so I think that there will be more changes every day. We will inform you about all of them by e-mail. At the moment, UG is developing, among other things, a mentoring programme, the idea of which is that students will provide support in dealing with formal matters, such as filling in forms, submitting them, etc.'
Prof. UG Anna Jurkowska-Zeidler also assured about the support of Ukraine with real actions: - 'You are struggling with something absolutely unimaginable for us, we want to help you. We are taking both legal steps - these are resolutions of the Senate and e.g. suspension of cooperation with Russian universities, but we also provide help through the already mentioned strong cooperation with the city of Gdańsk, in which we focus on helping students and scientists. Let us know what you need and how we can help,' - she appealed to the students. - 'Through the e-mail address you can also communicate your willingness to help, for example with translations. Some of the information will be forwarded to the city. The more specifically you express your need, the easier it will be for us to respond to it.'
The meeting was also attended by students who asked, among other things, whether it would be possible to excuse their absence from classes while they were leaving to fetch their families in Ukraine, whether the university could help in obtaining the Pole's Card or whether it was possible to reduce the fees for studies and on what conditions.
The Rector ended the meeting with the Ukrainian national greeting: 'Glory to Ukraine'. 'Sława Ukrajini' was heard in response from the Ukrainian students.
