As the world reacts with shock to the Putin regime’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the University of New England stands in solidarity with colleagues across Ukraine’s extended higher education network, and with affected students and academics in both Russia and Ukraine who fear for themselves, their families, their country and their futures.
The fabric of UNE’s community is woven from many nationalities and experiences. There are those who work or study at this University who have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to live under oppression and violence. UNE’s main city base, Armidale, is home to more than 600 Ezidi refugees, many of whom study through UNE; they have had shattering experiences of violence and persecution, as do many others.
This University backs the call made by Serhiy Kvit, Ukraine’s former Minister of Education, to push back as an academic community against the Putin regime’s illegal demolition of “the fundamentals of peace, security and democracy in Europe and in the world”.
As part of the Australian academic alliance, UNE holds close the ideal of freedom. It upholds the right of all individuals to feel safe and protected, to feel valued, to have a voice and express an opinion, and to have the opportunity to thrive in all aspects of life. These principles are being violently trampled in Ukraine.
UNE applauds and supports all higher education colleagues in Ukraine, Russia and elsewhere around the world, where staff and students – at considerable personal risk - are exercising these values to speak out against conflict and the oppression of democracy.
UNE has a number of students and alumni of Ukraine or Russian identity, and staff with strong personal connections to this region. The University will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and look for ways it can support those caught up in this violence.
- UNE Chancellor James Harris, and Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Brigid Heywood.
