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Moscow University (archive): The German-Russian exchange relationships funded by the DAAD are being restricted
Photo: Alexander Nemenov / AFP
In view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is restricting academic exchange with Russia.
"There can be no normal relations with a state that is waging a war of aggression against its neighboring country in the middle of Europe, not even in foreign science policy," said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee on Friday.
The service is currently restricting “the German-Russian exchange relationships funded by the DAAD”.
The President explained that the application options for Russia scholarships would be stopped and all selections for DAAD scholarships to Russia would be cancelled.
German scholarship holders who have already been selected cannot currently receive any financial support for a planned stay in Russia.
Contribute to the isolation of Russia
The DAAD expects German universities to “suspend all project activities with partner institutions in Russia and Belarus that it funds”.
The DAAD also announced that the measures that have now been taken "in coordination with the federal government and after discussion with the German Rectors' Conference and the German universities" could be further adjusted in the coming days and weeks.
"Foreign science policy must also ask itself what contribution it can make to the overall strategy of the federal government and the European Union to isolate Russia," explained Mukherjee.
In view of the war, the restrictions are "inevitable", even if the DAAD is aware that this step "also creates injustice" and affects numerous scientists who would work for peaceful relations, the statement said.
The DAAD is currently funding around 750 projects between German universities and Russian partner organizations.
Most recently, the service awarded around 160 grants to German scientists and students to Russia each year.
Thousands of foreign students stranded in Ukraine
The DAAD was already "horrified" by the Russian attack on Ukraine on Thursday.
"Solidarity with Ukraine includes not letting foreign academic relations break down and maintaining exchange relationships even under adverse conditions," said Mukherjee.
Due to the worsening situation, German lecturers who worked in Ukraine with DAAD funding had already left the country in the past few days.
The DAAD also assumed that exchange students had also returned.
Because of the pandemic, most of the exchange took place online anyway.
However, thousands of foreign students from other countries are said to be staying in Ukraine, reports the Reuters news agency.
In total there are almost 76,000 foreign students.
According to official estimates, Indian students made up the largest group with around 18,000, mainly in medical courses.
Thousands of African students are said to be stranded in Ukraine.
sun/Reuters/dpa
