How do you become the faculty's Ukraine representative?

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 also caught us at the faculty off guard. Measures had to be taken quickly for students from Ukraine, whose country was suddenly at war, but also for Russian students who no longer wanted to return to their home country.

In this context, the university management and Dean's Office acted energetically. The creation of the post of Ukraine representative was part of a package. My close contacts in Ukraine, especially my cooperation with the University of Chernivtsi, made me a good candidate for this office.

How did the university and faculty get involved?

Wiesbaden Business School was particularly committed and used its own funds to offer four scholarships for researchers from Ukraine. We were able to welcome three guest researchers to Wiesbaden in March 2022. They came with their families from Kharkiv and Kiev. We had to organize accommodation, assist them with dealing with the authorities and manage their integration at the faculty. Two of them are still at the faculty.

We have expanded our contacts with universities in Ukraine to strengthen academic exchange. I regularly give presentations at conferences. On several occasions, we have welcomed Ukrainian colleagues to Wiesbaden for events. This has resulted in several publications.

What are your plans for the future?

There are still colleagues from Ukraine working at Wiesbaden Business School. We are very pleased that one of them recently received funding from the HessenFonds für Geflüchtete und Verfolgte.

We are currently organizing a summer school at the faculty on the topic of "European Integration of Ukraine". This is primarily aimed at students from Ukraine. We will be looking at the economic and legal issues surrounding EU accession. This is an important perspective for the future of this battered country.

In this way, we would like to further expand the foundation for closer cooperation with Ukrainian universities. When peace finally returns to Ukraine, which we all hope for, there will be a tremendous need for support and exchange. We are looking forward to that!