War in Ukraine : UNIGE in solidarity
Version française
Deeply shocked by the Russian military intervention in Ukraine and its devastating consequences on the populations concerned, the University of Geneva condemns a massive violation of international law.
Faced with the magnitude of this crisis, UNIGE is working to preserve exchanges within the international academic community, which shares a same conception of scientific freedom and academic integrity, and is a vector of peace on the world scene. It expresses its full solidarity with the students and researchers affected by the war in Ukraine and wishes to assist them, in particular through the Scholars at Risk and Academic Horizon programmes. In June 2022, the UNIGE is also launching an appeal for donations for students and researchers affected by the war in Ukraine so that they can continue their studies and research at the UNIGE.
The UNIGE shares the concern of other Swiss higher education institutions regarding the risks evidenced by swissuniversities: scientific cooperation must not be used to support the agressive policy of the Russian government that, through this war, violates fundamental principles of human rights, international law and founding European values. UNIGE will suspend its collaboration with Russian institutions if it contradicts its strong stand for peace and the restoration of international law. In the current situation, UNIGE also suspends the development of any new collaboration agreement with Russian institutions.
UNIGE stands in solidarity with all students affected by the war in Ukraine, regardless of nationality.
Students already in Geneva
Emergency financial aid
Emergency psychological support
Medical and psychological support
Students wishing to join the University of Geneva
The deadlines for registration for a bachelor or master degree are:
- February 28, 2023
The candidate is subject to a visa for entry into Switzerland of more than 90 days;
- April 30, 2023
The candidate is not subject to a visa for entry into Switzerland for more than 90 days and has a residence permit in Switzerland valid beyond April 30, 2023.
Information regarding registrations and applications for bachelors and masters can be found here: https://www.unige.ch/immatriculations/
Candidates registered for the autumn 2023 semester and already present in Geneva will be able to benefit from personalised support through the Campus coach programme (information in French) or any other learning support service.
Opportunity for people who do not meet fully the admissions criteria and are in possession of a S permit
The University of Geneva has a program called Horizon académique. This program offers personal guidance to plan your studies and career, access to university courses in your field, language, and integration classes. Registrations open from February 1st to March 31st 2023.
More information here: https://www.unige.ch/horizon-academique/en/about-us
Since the beginning of the crisis, the University of Geneva has been approached by many researchers wishing to pursue their careers.
Today, there are two options for financial support for researchers affected by the war in Ukraine. Firstly, the Swiss National Science Fund (SNSF) has made additional funding available for Ukrainian scientists. Scientists from other countries can apply to Scholars at Risk. In addition to these funding mechanisms, the UNIGE has created research scholarships for war-affected researchers hosted in a UNIGE structure.
These scholarships are open to:
- Ukrainian citizens who are forced to leave their country
- Citizens of other countries who were living in Ukraine before the war started but who cannot safely return to their country and have no possibility to do research there
- Russian and Belarusian citizens who have been forced to leave their country
If you are a researcher affected by the situation in Ukraine or are part of the UNIGE academic community and would like to host a scientist in your research team, contact integration(at)unige.ch
You can also find more information about welcoming researchers at risk on the Délégation intégration website here.
UNIGE welcomes the spirit of solidarity shown by the members of its community and the initiatives they launch to provide humanitarian or logistical support to people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Willing to help?
Through NGOs
Your support will be most effective if it is tailored to the needs identified and is part of a sound logistic solution. We recommend that you contribute to the work of recognised NGOs, for example the partner NGO's of the Chaîne du bonheur.
Through UNIGE donations campaign
You can contribute to the Academic Horizon program, which offers an integration service for students and researchers affected by the war in Ukraine so that they can continue their careers and studies at the UNIGE. > Learn more
Through the mentoring program
If you are a student at the UNIGE, then join the Academic Horizon mentoring program to facilitate the academic and social integration of newcomers.
By hosting a refugee
Find out more and register as a host family on the website of the Swiss Organisation for Aid to Refugees (OSAR) or via the Geneva website Solidarité Ukraine.
