Impact of the war in Ukraine on the University of Eastern Finland

This website features general information and news releases about the impact of the war in Ukraine on research, education and collaboration at the University of Eastern Finland.

The University of Eastern Finland is an international and multicultural community with students and staff members representing over 100 nationalities. We emphasise that hate speech is not tolerated in our community.

Study opportunities for people fleeing the war in Ukraine

UEF is participating in a joint initiative established by Finnish universities to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. We offer different kinds of study opportunities – e.g. non-degree studies under a separate right to study, open University courses, Master's degree programmes and Bachelor's degree programmes – for people fleeing Ukraine and who have been granted temporary protection by the Finnish Immigration Service.

Learn more about the study opportunities for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

UEF freezes higher education and research cooperation with Russia

Following the policies issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture on 9 March 2022, the University of Eastern Finland refrains from all cooperation with Russian partner organisations in higher education and science. According to the policies, new projects will not be initiated and existing cooperation between organisations will be suspended for the time being. The Ministry of Education and Culture has also opened a website to answer various questions related to the situation in Ukraine.

Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus, the University of Eastern Finland will block access to its electronic services requiring authentication with the university’s username and password from the Russian and Belarusian territory, effective from 23 March 2022.

Further information and instructions for the members of the academic community is available in Heimo (UEF login required). Any questions relating to the situation in Ukraine and the resulting restrictions can be sent to ukraine@uef.fi.

Support channels

The recent events in Ukraine are causing concern within our community, and support is available to our students and staff alike.

For students, a list of providers of help and support can be found in Kamu, along with other guidelines regarding the war in Ukraine. Questions about students and studies can be sent via email: studysupport@uef.fi.

Staff members, on the other hand, may turn to occupational health care. In addition, the services and support of our campus chaplains, occupational health and safety delegates, and shop stewards, are available to the staff. Further information about the health care can be found in Heimo (UEF login required).

Coordination team

The University of Eastern Finland has also set up a team to prepare support measures for students and staff, and to coordinate any other actions resulting from the situation. The University of Eastern Finland will follow both national and EU-level definitions of policy and will communicate these to the community.