The , a member institution of the in Slovakia, responded quickly to the armed conflict in Ukraine by mobilizing students, university staff, and faculty. The university is located in the city of Trnava, less than 500km from the border with Ukraine.
A 25 February university press statement expressed “its support for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine” while labeling the invasion by the Russian Federation as “an unacceptable aggression.”? The statement continued: “The leadership of the university rejects the unprecedented attack on the people of Ukraine and expresses its deep sympathy and solidarity with its suffering population.”
The university's rector, Professor Ing. Roman Bo?a, indicated it was natural for this institution of higher education to contribute to the regional, national, and local efforts to assist those who have been impacted by the war, “As an institution, we have a profound respect for universal values such as humanism, freedom, and democracy in the international context,” he commented.
Professor Bo?a added that the Ukrainian crisis, “has generated a renewed call on us all to adhere to the basic principles that are quite common to any democratic society.”
In response, the university community has demonstrated solidarity and a strong determination to help those in need by suggesting and adopting several measures.? Over one hundred students of Ukrainian origin are currently enrolled in the different academic programs offered by the university at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Financial support has been provided via special scholarships, comprised of cash amounts of more than 300 USD disbursed to each one of the Ukrainian students.?
In addition, the university established a ‘solidarity fund’ to support the studies and social security of these students. Anyone inside or outside the university can contribute to the fund. As of 16 March 2022, or in just ten days, over 1,300 USD were collected. The funds will be redistributed to Ukrainian students, under the conditions laid down in a directive adopted by the university and through the approval of a special commission.
Further assistance includes the distribution of free meal vouchers, the waiving of fees in the students' dormitory, or the provision of accommodation for several months for Ukrainian students who are in precarious financial situations.
Partnerships have been established with various stakeholders like Baterkáren -a social company that promotes circular economy and corporate sustainability principles- to give students access to hygienic products as well as clothing. These efforts are being overseen by Doctor Ildikó Matu?íková, Vice-Rector for External Relations, Public Relations, and Editorial Activity, together with the Office of International Relations. “We keep live contact between Ukrainians and the helping community at our university,” she explained.
But the university not only helps its own students. A multilingual webpage was created with valuable online resources and information about what Ukrainians can expect at the border and after crossing it, including contact details of civil society organizations as well as churches, and people at the university that those in need can reach out to. In addition, transportation in private vehicles has been offered to refugees from the border to both Bratislava and Trnava and psychological support is being provided to those who just arrived in the country, while volunteer interpreters have been recruited to assist.
A highlight of the assistance provided by the university is an initiative undertaken by several students at the Institute of Management. They left their classrooms to prepare an interactive program of playful activities for children from Ukraine, involving books, costumes and toys. This program took place in a center for displaced persons near Trnava to help these children cope with the trauma in which they are currently living.?
“More than anything, these children need our attention and our time,” commented one of the students. Aside from the activities mentioned above, Ukrainian children also receive books and toys. According to the??issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund, as of 25 March, “over 3.7 million refugees have fled Ukraine,” and up to 90% of them are women and children.
The University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius community is working to help ease the pain of those that make their way to Slovakia.?