Crisis in Ukraine: GCU statement

It is with increasing concern and great sadness that we witness the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This crisis has impacted many people across our higher education sector, including Ukrainian and Russian students and staff at GCU, as well as those more widely in Scotland and the UK. Our thoughts are with all those affected and to those with friends and family in countries near the war zone.

As you would expect, we are reaching out to members of our university community and providing help where we can, including looking at the potential for financial hardship and welfare support. If staff would like support or advice, they should reach out to People Services. If any of our students need assistance, they can contact: studentsupport@gcu.ac.uk.

We are in active contact with Universities Scotland to stay up to date with the Scottish Government’s position on Ukraine and we support their statement on the conflict, alongside their protocols to support asylum seekers and refugees in accessing higher education in Scotland.

We also support Universities UK’s statement on the situation and their unequivocal condemnation of the invasion in their decision to suspend a Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Union of Rectors (RUR).

It is so easy to feel helpless as we watch the appalling scenes coming from Ukraine on the News.  If you would like to, please consider donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee and their fund to support Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict in their country.