Universities freeze cooperation with Russian knowledge institutes
Universities and colleges are immediately freezing cooperation with educational and knowledge institutions from Russia and Belarus.
Universities, colleges and other knowledge institutions say they are ‘shocked’ by the Russian attack on Ukraine. ‘This is a direct attack on freedom and democracy, the fundamental values on which academic freedom and cooperation are based’, they wrote in a joint press release on Friday.
Robbert Dijkgraaf, the Minister of Education, Science and Culture made a call earlier on Friday to freeze cooperation with Russian and Belarusian educational and knowledge institutions. He also pledged to contribute 1 million euros to the assistance of Russian and Ukrainian researchers and students in the Netherlands. ‘After all, they must not become the victims of this situation’, Dijkgraaf stated.
In a joint statement with scientific organizations KNAW and NWO, universities have now answered the call. With pain in their hearts, because international cooperation and exchange of knowledge and ideas are the basis of science and research, the institutions write in the press release. The decision excludes Russian and Belarusian researchers from participation in scientific events. Also, ‘financial transactions’ and knowledge will no longer be exchanged.
For the UvA this means that, at least for the time being, the collaboration with the Netherlands Institute in St. Petersburg will be discontinued. Other cooperation of, for example, faculties is now being looked into. Exchanges between the Netherlands and Ukraine and Russia were already limited by the corona crisis, a spokesperson said earlier.
At the moment around 917 Ukrainian and 1653 Russian students are studying at the colleges and universities, along with some Belarusian students. The universities, colleges, umc's and scientific institutes such as KNAW and NWO count dozens of partnerships with Russia and Belarus. Moreover, hundreds of Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian employees work at the scientific institutions.
Students from Russia and Belarus who are currently in the Netherlands can stay here and will be helped as much as possible by their university, college or employer. Those with financial problems can also turn to the university or college for help. The UvA announced earlier that it will set up an emergency fund. Refugee students and researchers from Ukraine are offered a safe place at the knowledge institutions. A coordination point will soon be established for this purpose.
Maintaining personal ties with Russian and Belarusian researchers is encouraged. ‘Many of them have publicly criticized the invasion at the risk of their lives’, the institutions write. ‘Especially in times of war and conflict, it is important to keep in touch with these researchers.’ Russian and Belarusian researchers, lecturers, students and organizations that speak out against the invasion of Ukraine will be supported
In addition, the institutions are offering Ukraine that, if desired, the country can make use of knowledge or contacts of Dutch researchers, such as knowledge about cybersecurity or acute and trauma care.
