No money, no contact: “The students feel the full extent of the sanctions”

No money, no contact: “The students feel the full extent of the sanctions”

The Russian student says on the phone that he’s at the ATM and can’t withdraw any more money. He has been studying at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria for several semesters. His parents, from whom he has not heard for a long time, could no longer transfer anything to him because the payment system was discontinued. Now he has hardly any money to buy groceries. He can no longer pay for the dormitory. One of many calls that have come in to the International Relations office at the University of Applied Sciences over the past few days.

“The students feel the full painful extent of the sanctions against Russia,” says Andreas Zehetner, Vice President for International Relations. There are 32 Russian students at the FH. “We can’t give them any money,” says FH managing director Gerald Reisinger. “But we will refund their tuition fees so that the boys at least have some money in their pockets.”

Missing Students

22 Ukrainians are also studying at the University of Applied Sciences, 13 of them are currently in Upper Austria and five are in their home country. “We haven’t heard from the others for days,” says Zehetner. “Some were drafted, now they have to fight.” Mental health care has been set up for those who are in Upper Austria.

A decree by Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) is to come into force next week: Ukrainian students do not have to pay tuition fees for the summer semester at Austrian universities and teacher training colleges. As a third-country national, each of the 2,300 students pays 726.72 euros per semester.

76 Ukrainians are studying at the Johannes Kepler University. They have not yet asked for help, says rector Meinhard Lukas. “But we also have to ask ourselves to what extent we can help Ukrainian students who have fled.” Work is being done to ensure that the refugees can complete short-term studies or parts of their studies in Upper Austria and thus remain here. (mis)

Source: Nachrichten

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