Open Letter from the President Regarding the War in Ukraine

Dear Professors, Staff, and Students, Dear Members of the University Community,

Chemnitz University of Technology is deeply shocked and saddened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is in violation of international law and which we condemn in the strongest possible terms. We are extremely concerned about the people in Ukraine. Our thoughts at this time are especially with the students and colleagues of our partner institutions and their families; our unreserved solidarity is with all the people in Ukraine, but also with the people in Russia and Belarus who are courageously standing up for peace, freedom, and self-determined coexistence in Europe and thus against the actions of their governments.

As a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, we coloured our logo in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag after the war began. In addition to this symbolic sign, Chemnitz University of Technology will also take up responsibility, contribute within the scope of its influence and develop a variety of support offers— which will be discussed by a specially established Crisis Management Team.

However, our full support also goes to our Russian and Belarusian students and employees, who are not responsible for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are just as horrified as all other members of Chemnitz University of Technology and are suffering under the actions of the governments of their countries. Therefore, I also appeal to all citizens of Chemnitz not to hold our Russian and Belarusian students and employees responsible for the actions of the governments of their countries or to ostracise them because of this.

Support Offers for Affected Students and Employees at Chemnitz University of Technology

Of course, our Ukrainian students and workers, who are in great fear for their loved ones in Ukraine these days, have our full support.

For anyone who needs support, there are contact persons at the International Office (Tel. +49-371-531-13500, iuz@tu-chemnitz.de) for personal advice and the Virtual Safe Space for anonymous advise, as well as the Psychosocial Counselling Service at the Professorship of Clinical Psychology.

Support Offers for Refugees

For the Ukrainians who will be coming to Chemnitz as refugees in the coming days and weeks, we have—in addition to offering the gymnasium as possible emergency accommodation if the need arises—launched an immediate package that will be gradually expanded. This includes the following support offers:

• Refugee students will have the opportunity to continue their studies at Chemnitz University of Technology within the framework of the legal possibilities for university admission. In any case, enrolment as a guest student can be carried out in an uncomplicated and seamless manner and with exemption from the obligation to pay fees.
• Refugees who are interested in studying can get comprehensive advice on studying at the TU in the Welcome Project of the International Office.
• Refugee researchers (including doctoral students) shall as far as possible also be able to continue their academic work at Chemnitz University of Technology, for example through scholarships.
• Through the International Office, refugee students and researchers can receive support and advice and apply for scholarships.
• Childcare services are to be created for refugee families to support study and research projects at Chemnitz University of Technology.
• The psychological support services provided by the Psychosocial Counselling Service of Chemnitz University of Technology (Prof. Dr. Stephan Mühlig, Professorship of Clinical Psychology) are available to refugee students and researchers at all times. The Psychotherapeutic University Ambulance can also be used.
• To a limited extent, basic household needs can be provided to refugee students by Chemnitz University of Technology.
• Additional language courses for German as a foreign language are to be offered to refugees—regardless of their affiliation with the TU—in order to facilitate their integration into the new environment for them.

These immediate measures can only represent the beginning of a larger programme of measures. In this respect, there is the clear expectation—analogous to the position of the DAAD—that federal and state governments will make additional financial resources available for these purposes. At the same time, all members of our university are called upon to actively support Ukrainians who have fled—for example, through monetary and non-monetary donations (e.g. household needs), the provision of accommodation, and social work.

An overview and further details of the support offered will be summarised very soon on a central website of Chemnitz University of Technology. (Update: Link to the website "Support Offers for Refugees": https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/rektorat/rektor/ukraine.html.en)

Support for Our Partner Institutions in Ukraine

Of course, we strive to maintain intensive contact with our five partner universities in Ukraine in Kyiv and Lviv. They can be assured of our full solidarity and support and will be continuously informed about the support offers available at Chemnitz University of Technology for refugee students and employees.

In addition, digital course programmes of Chemnitz University of Technology will be made available to our Ukrainian partner institutions as far as possible in order to support their operation as long as it can be maintained.

Immediately Suspension of all Cooperation with State Institutions and Business Enterprises in Russia and Belarus

The Alliance of Science Organisations has recommended "that scientific cooperation with state institutions and business enterprises in Russia be frozen with immediate effect until further notice, that German research funds no longer benefit Russia, and that no joint scientific and research policy events take place. New cooperation projects should not be initiated at this time [translated from German]".

Chemnitz University of Technology follows this recommendation unconditionally and has frozen—but not stopped or terminated—all cooperation projects, mobilities, and joint events with Russian and Belarusian partners with immediate effect. It should be emphasised that our partner institutions in Russia and Belarus are not responsible for the actions of their governments and that Russian and Belarusian students and researchers are currently—partly at great personal risk—speaking out against the actions of their governments. Nevertheless, this step was necessary in order to provide united support for the measures initiated by the Federal Government and the European Union and to decisively counter the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I sincerely ask you to fully support the measures taken and hope—like the entire TUC family—for an early end to this terrible war and its repercussions.

Kind regards / З найкращими побажаннями

Yours Gerd Strohmeier

Matthias Fejes
03.03.2022

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