As we continue to watch the devastation occurring in Ukraine, the University of Alberta has a particular responsibility to respond. As Canada’s leading university in Ukrainian studies, the U of A is home to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), the Kule Folklore Centre and the Kule Institute for Advanced Study. Our many ties to Ukraine and the Ukrainian-Canadian community have been forged over decades of partnership and collaboration that has advanced, preserved and disseminated knowledge about the history, politics, and culture of Ukraine. Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine as they withstand Russian attacks. We condemn Russia’s actions and stand with Ukraine.
We know that universities, students and academic partners in Ukraine are under attack and in grave danger. Some have been forced to join the million-plus refugees fleeing the conflict, while others who remain in place face the loss of their homes and increasingly limited access to food and other daily necessities. In addition to threats to life, we are also aware that research institutes, historical collections and archives are at risk from digital and physical attacks.
Since the launch of the war, many individuals and offices of the U of A have been engaged in efforts dedicated to responding and supporting those affected. The Dean of Students, Registrar’s Office, University of Alberta International, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and Crisis Management Team have directly reached out to support current students and staff affected by the war. We are also working to extend help to applicants, students and scholars from Ukraine whose lives are being affected. In the case of undergraduate applicants from Ukraine, we have expedited applications for admission in 2022-23 and are simplifying documentation requirements. Graduate applications are being evaluated by the departments with similar prioritization and simplification where possible.
We recognize that finances may be a serious barrier for these applicants and students. The university will waive up to all of the 2022-23 tuition fees for any Ukrainian Study Permit holders who are suffering financial hardship due to the war. We will also provide funding to support living costs for all incoming Ukrainian students and current Ukrainian students in need during the 2022-23 academic year.
Our support for Ukrainian students reflects the university's longstanding commitment to aiding students fleeing civil war, persecution or other life-threatening situations. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, the U of A was proud to partner with the World University Service of Canada to establish the David Turpin and Suromitra Sanatani Award for Refugees and Displaced Persons. Since its inception in 2016-17, these awards have supported 32 students from Syria, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Iraq.
Now Ukrainian students and scholars need our assistance, so we are establishing an emergency fund to support areas of greatest need for impacted students and scholars. Anyone wishing to support these efforts can make a donation at uabgive.ca/Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine is an assault on many of the values we hold dear, including the protection of human rights and the advancement of an open and diverse democratic society. Many U of A researchers and scholars have been working tirelessly to counter the disinformation that underpins Putin’s attempts to justify this war. Credible, well-researched and evidence-based analysis is critical to building the understanding that is necessary to global peace and security.
So many in our community have acted quickly in defense of our values and in support of Ukraine. Our Ukrainian Students’ Society organized a rally on February 28. The Departments of Music and Modern Languages and Cultural Studies are organizing a Fundraising Concert in Support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 12 at 6 pm in Convocation Hall with proceeds going to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. I am honoured to be speaking at this event.
Many of the institutional initiatives we mentioned above are still in the initial stages and coming together rapidly. We will continue to update the community on the U of A’s response to this crisis as the situation develops. We are deeply grateful for all the work that so many in our community have done and will continue to do in support of Ukraine.
Bill Flanagan
President and Vice-Chancellor
Steven Dew
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
To learn more about how the U of A is responding to the crisis in Ukraine, visit ualberta.ca/Ukraine.
View President Flanagan’s February 24 statement on Ukraine »