UniversityInternational
FAQ: War in Ukraine

Information on the impact of the war in Ukraine

The university management of Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) is utterly appalled by the war in Ukraine, a sovereign European state. The university shares the opinion of the federal government and agrees that Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes a blatant and unjustifiable violation of international law. This crisis affects LUH as well as its students, teaching staff and researchers. University management will update students and members of staff on relevant issues via email. In addition, please refer to this website for the latest information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Studies

2. Research

  • 2.1 How will collaborations with Russian facilities be affected?

    The Presidential Board has decided to suspend all collaborations with Russia for the time being. All activities with Russia, including institutional and strategic connections with Russian institutions, will be abandoned until further notice. This applies to research and teaching activities. All joint visible activities such as workshops, conferences or similar meetings - including virtual ones - will be cancelled. New joint projects will not be commenced.

    In particular, this affects the strategic partnership with Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    Furthermore, LUH will suspend any financial transfer activities with educational and research institutions in Russia. LUH members maintaining active collaborations with Russia in receipt of third-party funding are urged to contact the respective funding body.

    University management would like to emphasise that personal contact between researchers from both countries is encouraged and desired to promote peaceful international collaboration.

  • 2.1.1 How will publications with Russian partners that have already been submitted be affected?

    University management recommends the following course of action:

    • Publication projects with partners in Russia that have already been commenced but have not been completed yet may be completed (such as contributions to journals currently in review).
    • Joint publications on sensitive issues should not be published (such as publications on potential dual-use technology).
    • Joint publication projects or joint attendance at a conference that has not taken place yet should be avoided.
    • New publication projects with partners in Russia should not be commenced.
  • 2.2 How can I host Ukrainian researchers at LUH?

    Foundations and funding bodies are currently in the process of creating opportunities for researchers from Ukraine. LUH hosts are welcome to contact the International Office for guidance on applying for funding (contact person: Manuela Schimmels).

    Alexander von Humboldt Foundation: Philipp Schwartz Initiative

    German Research Foundation (DFG): Walter Benjamin Programme, refugee researchers from Ukraine and Russia are now eligible to apply

    Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at LUH: Support fund for researchers from Ukraine: Funding for researchers in the fields mechanical, biomedical, industrial, chemical, aeronautical metallurgical and mechatronical engineering or in related disciplines. Contact person: Dr. Sarah Engelmann.

    German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): Hilde Domin Programme, funding programme for threatened doctoral candidates

    Erasmus+: Students and members of staff enrolled at or employed by a Ukrainian university are eligible to apply for Erasmus funding for their stay in Germany. Contact information: Andree Klann

  • 2.2.1 I would like to support refugee researchers by offering research opportunities at LUH – how can I establish contact?

    Profile information of refugee researchers from Ukraine (doctoral candidates and postdocs), as well as Russian researchers at risk because they positioned themselves for peace and against the war in Ukraine looking for opportunities to continue their research in Germany can be found here.

    All information has been anonymised in order to protect the enquirers. In order to obtain further information on one of these researchers, please contact the International Office (welcome-centre@zuv.uni-hannover.de).

  • 2.2.2 What needs to be considered if refugee researchers are employed at LUH?

    Accident insurance:

    All members of Leibniz University Hannover are automatically insured via the statutory accident insurance policy. This policy covers accidents in the workplace, commuting accidents as well as occupational illnesses that occurred in connection with duties at the university.

    As LUH employees, refugee researchers with an employment contract are insured via the university’s accident insurance policy.

    Start of insurance coverage:

    • employed researchers: from the first day of the employment contract,
    • researchers funding their stay independently or via a scholarship:
      • in the case of postdocs from the chosen day indicated in the notification submitted to the Personnel and Legal Department (Dezernat 2)
      • in the case of doctoral candidates once enrolment has been completed at the Admissions Office. To fill any gaps that might occur, as well as to enable doctoral candidates to commence their position at the Institute straight away, the Personnel and Legal Department (Dezernat 2) may be notified.

    Prior to commencing their duties, the institute must inform the Personnel and Legal Department by submitting this request.

    Contact person for approving stays of foreign researchers:

    Dezernat 2
    Anke Giltmann
    Tel. +49 511 762 19772
    Email anke.giltmann@zuv.uni-hannover.de

  • 2.3 I am a Ukrainian or Russian refugee and would like to continue my research at LUH. Who do I need to contact?

    In order to pursue doctoral studies or conduct research at a German university, approval of a supervisor or host is required. Researchers who have fled Ukraine due to the war, as well as Russian researchers at risk forced to leave the country due to the political situation, who wish to continue their research at LUH are welcome to approach the International Office of LUH in order to establish contact with relevant persons. Registration form

    There is NO guarantee that suitable contact persons can be found and the fact that contact is established does not entail ANY financial support for conducting research (position or grant).

  • 2.4 Is business travel to Russia, Ukraine or Belarus possible?

    No. Until further notice, LUH members are not permitted to conduct business travel to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus, since the safety of travellers cannot be guaranteed. Approval for business travel requests that has already been granted has been revoked.

3. Advisory services and support

Contact persons at LUH

For students

Ludolf von Dassel
Address
Welfengarten 1A
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
030
Address
Welfengarten 1A
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
030

For researchers

Manuela Schimmels
Address
Welfengarten 1A
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
031
Address
Welfengarten 1A
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
031

For media enquiries

Mechtild Freiin von Münchhausen
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Room
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Room