Przemysław Czarnek, the minister of education and science, appealed to the rectors of universities to consider the support of Ukrainian students and scientists.

Minister Czarnek emphasized that due to the actions taken by the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, the escalation of the conflict and the destabilization of the situation in the region, it is necessary to be prepared for new challenges facing the science and higher education system.

He urged rectors to support people currently studying in Ukraine, who will try to undertake or continue education at Polish universities, e.g. in the transfer format. The support of the academic community in Ukraine should also include scientists conducting research.

The head of the Ministry of Education and Science stressed that it is difficult to estimate the scale of the phenomenon at present, but the need for assistance may also apply to Polish citizens studying in Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens.

Przemysław Czarnek announced his support and will to initiate all possible actions within the scope of his competencies, aimed at helping the Ukrainian academic community. He also declared that he would consider launching a special scholarship program for Ukrainian citizens, as well as providing financial support to the supervised universities that would accept Ukrainian scholarship holders.

“Nowadays, any form of support is important: financial, e.g. in the form of benefits for students, organizing free Polish language courses, lowering tuition fees, granting discounts for places in student dormitories, and non-financial, e.g. granting leaves from classes in the possibility of passing credits and examinations or giving consent to the individual organization of studies. Psychological help, which has already been successfully organized by many universities, may also be important”, added Minister Czarnek.

Adrian Andrzejewski