More government support needed for Ukrainian students

The German National Association for Student Affairs or Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW) has called on the country’s government to launch an aid package for Ukrainian students in Germany, which would include items such as financial support and deferment of rent payments for student hostels. It also demands assistance for Russian students caught up in the present crisis.

“We need a federal-wide support package enabling universities, student unions and student service organisations to help Ukrainian students,” says Rolf-Dieter Postlep, president of DSW. Support should be provided for students from Ukraine who are already in Germany and for those who are fleeing their war-torn country.

“We pledge our full solidarity with the people of Ukraine and are not giving up hope that the war will soon come to an end,” Postlep says.

“We have to focus especially on the 6,200 Ukrainian students who are already in Germany and who have run into an emergency situation because of the war as well as on those who will be fleeing their country and coming to Germany over the next days and weeks.”

Postlep says that unless they are fully funded by a grant, alongside needing some perspective for their studies, most students will have to rely on the availability of financial aid, deferment of student hostel rent, student restaurant vouchers and psychosocial counselling.

Swift, ‘unbureaucratic’ support needed

The German government should therefore provide swift and unbureaucratic support for the students – a demand seconded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Postlep believes that a comprehensive federal support package would enable German universities, student unions and the student service organisations run by DSW to join forces in providing optimal assistance for people from Ukraine, demonstrating genuine and practical solidarity with the country.

He notes that the student service organisations are already doing their best to support Ukrainian students with various measures, but stresses that in the medium and long term, such activities will require federal government backing.

“In his latest government statement, [German] Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained that sanctions were targeting the Putin regime, and not the Russian people in general. As the German National Association for Student Affairs, we therefore suggest that the federal government also enables the provision of financial and psychosocial assistance for Russian students in Germany who are in need,” Postlep adds.

“Solidarity and humanity are the key values of the student welfare organisations; we support according to needs, and not according to nationality. And we show solidarity with all students suffering from this war.

“There will also be a Russian society after Putin, and today’s young generation are going to be key in shaping it. So these students should not be punished for the crimes their government has committed.”

To contact Michael Gardner e-mail: michael.gardner@uw-news.com