News
How Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Supports Refugees from Ukraine
The Presidium has placed a high priority on helping and supporting refugee students, academics and artists from Ukraine through appropriate means. The University has expressed unconditional solidarity with Ukraine and condemned Russia’s barbaric war of aggression. Since February 2022, a number of measures have been adopted to simplify admission.
- Student Enrolment: The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has made it possible for refugee students from Ukraine to enrol as a free mover or as part of an exchange semester. Enrolment is determined on an individual basis. Questions can be directed to the Office of Student and Academic Affairs: studium@uni-weimar.de
Information on courses and prerequisites can be found here: http://www.uni-weimar.de//aid4ukraine/information-for-refugees
Degree programmes that increase their capacities will receive special support. English-taught courses offered in Bachelor degree programmes will be expanded.
The »Gesellschaft für Medienwissenschaft« has arranged special Media Studies courses — also offered through the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar — for students from war and crisis areas: https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/aktuell/pinnwaende/titel/solidarity-classes-for-students-at-risk/ - »Emergency Fund for Students from Crisis Regions«: Through direct cooperation with the University Directorate and the International Office, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Freundeskreis e.V. Has created an »Emergency Fund for Students from Crisis Regions« to help provide quick and uncomplicated financial aid to students and doctoral candidates who are in need due to situations in the home countries. Aid payments may be made as one-time payments of as scholarships. Further information for applicants and donors can be found here: http://www.uni-weimar.de/aid4ukraine/emergency-fund
- Support Through Fellowships: To help support academics and artists who have fled Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the hopes on continuing their work, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar will be offering four fellowships. The fellowships will support researchers with up to 2,000 euros per month for a period of 12 months. Mentors from the individual faculties will provide appropriate support. Further information for applicants will be published shortly on the »Ukraine-Hilfe der Universität« website.
- Language Course Expansion: The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Language Centre is offering free German courses for Ukrainian students and other refugee students. Furthermore, a new beginners course (also free of charge) has been set up for students and people who have studied in Ukraine. The course will conclude in the summer with a target level of A1. The Bauhaus Further Education Academy e.V (WBA) is also offering intensive German courses to help prepare students for their studies.
Intensive German courses to help prepare students for their studies or work will be offered again in the 2022/2023 winter semester. Scholarships for refugees are also available through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Integra-Programms.
Further information on language courses can be found here: https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/structure/central-university-facilities/language-centre/news/titel/informationen-for-future-students-from-ukraine-and-their-supporters-in-weimar/datum///news/?tx_news_pi1
- Free Internet Access: Students who have fled Ukraine in order to continue their studies will be given access to eduroam (internet access) and any other necessary IT services. This service is also available to students who are not enrolled at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
- Adhoc Support Through Bauhaus.Modules: The war has also emerged as a topic in teaching. Examples of this are two Bauhaus.Modules which launched in the summer semester and which aim to provide concrete solutions with creative ideas. The »K70 – Unterkünfte für Menschen auf der Flucht« project has students building kitchens for refugees from Ukraine to help facilitate a smooth move into flats — a practical addition to the local welcome culture. The Presidium is financing student assistants for Ukrainian and Russian translation services.
The »Ukrainian Cities: current housing crisis, international experiences of post-war reconstruction and envisioning future planning« seminar, in which two Ukrainian students are involved, gives participants the opportunity to examine Ukrainian cities in general, as well as the urban planning and current housing situation, and to look at reconstruction plans and ideas. - Volunteer student activities: The Welcome Program of the DAAD supports volunteer student activities in the field of refugee work. Currently, six student assistants are funded to help coordinate the various volunteer initiatives and provide assistance to refugees on their way to university.
- Cooperation with Institutions: In order to ensure that aid is received by those most in need, the university is working closely together with the state of Thuringia and the city of Weimar. The has also been close cooperation between student initiatives, whose volunteers have been working tirelessly for months to help Ukraine, and Studierendenwerk Thüringen, in order to meet the increased demand for housing and psychosocial counselling services for Ukrainian students.
Plans for Ukrainian aid are constantly being expanded upon and adapted to meet the needs. Up-to-date information is available at https://www.uni-weimar.de/aid4ukraine.