In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is restricting academic exchanges with Russia.
DAAD President Jayabrato Mukherjee explained, “There can be no normal relationship with a state waging an aggressive war against its neighbor in the middle of Europe, not even in foreign science policy.” The service is currently restricted to “German-Russian exchange relations funded by DAAD”
The President explained that the options for applying for Russia scholarships would be closed and all elections for DAAD scholarships in Russia would be canceled. German Scholarship holders who have already been selected will not receive any financial assistance for currently planning to stay in Russia.
Ongoing projects of the university should be suspended
DAAD hopes that German universities will “suspend all project activities with Russian and Belarusian partner institutions that finance it”.
DAAD further announced that the measures taken “in coordination with the federal government and in consultation with the German Rectors Conference and German universities” could be further adjusted in the coming days and weeks. “Foreign science policy must ask itself what it can contribute to the overall strategy of the federal government and the European Union to isolate Russia,” Mukherjee explained.
The statement said that in the context of war, sanctions are “inevitable”, even if DAAD is aware that the move “creates injustice” and affects countless scientists who will work for peaceful relations.
DAAD is currently financing about 750 projects between German universities and Russian partner organizations. Most recently, the service provides about 160 grants per year to German scientists and students in Russia.
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