Newcastle University and the National University of Water and Environmental Engineering (NUWEE) in Ukraine have ‘twinned’ as part of the UUKi/Cormack scheme.

The partnership was formed due to complementary areas of academic strengths, including:

• water
• engineering
• agriculture
• economics

The two institutions signed a five-year MoU in June 2022 to support long-term research and educational collaboration, starting with student-centred activities, including an English language programme largely delivered by Newcastle University students for their peers at NUWEE. In autumn 2022, six Newcastle University students led a virtual, 6-week English training course for 36 NUWEE students to help them gain confidence in their English-speaking ability, improve their reading comprehension and broaden their vocabulary range. The programme, which was administered through Newcastle University’s Language Resource Centre was a huge success and will continue in 2023 with a new cohort of students.

Newcastle University has also provided full funding for 12 NUWEE students to come on exchange in the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. This is made possible through financial support provided by the Development Trust.

In addition, the two universities are engaging through virtual workshops, symposiums and joint research projects to learn from one another’s research strengths. The main thematic areas of collaboration are currently:

• Agriculture and Environmental Engineering
• Economics and Finance
• Automation, Cybernetics and Computer Engineering
• New materials and Architecture
• Water and Natural Resources Management
• Heritage and Museum studies

Read more about Newcastle University's partnership with NUWEE.

Newcastle University’s ‘Community Sanctuary Network’ is made up of a group of volunteers that work with Strategic Partners (King’s College London, Leicester, Open University Citizens UK and the Ukraine Sponsorship Pathway UK) and the ‘University Sponsorship Model’ (USM).

The USM utilises the UK Governments Homes for Ukraine scheme to bring people to the UK that have been forcibly displaced as a consequence of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine.

University Strategic Partners have recruited hosts and volunteers from their respective communities, to offer accommodation and provide wraparound support for all parties for up to six months. The longer term aim is to integrate guests into local communities and independent living.

As always, any student needing support can:

• access 24/7 support from talk campus
• contact Student Health and Wellbeing during the working day on 0191 208 3333.

Our teams in the International Office have also checked to ensure that we have no students on exchange visits in Ukraine or Russia at this time.

Any students affected by the situation can also access Sanctuary Support for practical and/or emotional support, as well as attend the Sanctuary Drop-ins. Students can get in touch by emailing sanctuarysupport@newcastle.ac.uk.

Some students are struggling to access funds due to the conflict. We're providing a one-off non-repayable emergency bursary of £1,500 to help those students at this difficult time. To access this support, students can complete a short application form.

Students may also be eligible to apply for additional, discretionary, financial support made available by the University. We encourage them to explore all the options.

As a University of Sanctuary, we have schemes to support refugees and asylum seekers. This includes reduced fees for eligible students and the NU Sanctuary Scholarship Scheme.

A sub-group of The University of Sanctuary Steering Group is looking at how the University can best support refugees fleeing the war. They're working closely with our partners in the city.

The Community Sanctuary Network team are also working with Strategic Partners at Kings College on a new scheme, Sanctuary Scholarship (Pathway 2). This is a new stream of scholarships that is available this academic year for students from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

The scholarships are designed for those who are displaced and/or at risk of persecution, violence and conflict.

Sanctuary Scholarship (Pathway 2)

These scholarships are open to applicants applying for a postgraduate taught degree. We prioritise this scholarship for applicants to STEM subjects, in particular Maths and Physics.

The scholarship will comprise of a tuition fee waiver at the home rate and a living costs bursary in the region of £8,400-£13,348.

We will make an additional accommodation award for a limited number of scholars who need full year accommodation (e.g. in a university residence). The maximum additional accommodation award will be £6,978 per annum depending on circumstances.

The deadline for applications for the Sanctuary Scholarship (Pathway 2) is Monday 1st April 2024.

We encourage applicants to read the FAQs and eligibility criteria before you submit an application.

Our Sabbatical Officers have voiced their solidarity with all those affected by the ongoing crisis. The Students’ Union is signposting any student who has been affected by the events in Ukraine to a range of assistance available through the Support and Advice Hub.

As a University of Sanctuary, we're committed to providing a welcoming place of safety for all. As a partner of CARA (the Council for At Risk Academics), we have for many years welcomed at-risk scholars to Newcastle. Through this partnership with CARA, and through the CARA-British Academy Researchers-at-Risk scheme, we have welcomed a number of Ukrainian academics to Newcastle, and  continue to assist academics threatened in the current conflict. 

The Home Secretary has confirmed that Ukrainian Nationals (on work, study or visitor visas) in the UK will have their visas temporarily extended. This includes the option to switch onto different visa routes.

Read further guidance on the support available to Ukrainian nationals and their family members.

We continue to closely monitor the situation. We strongly recommended that you follow Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice. Currently, the FCDO advise against all travel to Ukraine and Russia.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched a Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. This is helping raise funds for food, water, medicine, protection and trauma care for people fleeing the war.

The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly, efficiently and safely. Charities include:

• the British Red Cross
• CAFOD
• Care International
• Save the Children UK

Other humanitarian aid agencies doing excellent work include:

• British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal
• CARE International UK
• International Rescue Committee
• World Vision
• Save the Children UK | International Children's Charity

The UNHCR is also providing help to Ukrainians displaced as a result of the war. The Ukrainian Institute London has listed additional suggestions for people wishing to support Ukraine and Ukrainians.

You can buy an extra drink (for £2) when you buy your own from any cafe on Newcastle University’s campus.

By doing this you will create a 'credit' for a drink to be made available to refugees and asylum seekers.

We hope this will bring together those who may feel isolated so they can meet new people, network and seek out new opportunities. Our University is perfectly placed in the centre of Newcastle to help this interaction and support. We are proud to do this as part of being a University of Sanctuary.

The internationally-recognised student-led project at Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) is looking for volunteers.

There are a number of volunteering opportunities including:

• supporting in schools
• teaching adults
• supporting with art and sport sessions
• driving and coordinating volunteers

You can also work with our community distribution scheme. You will:

• help to organise donations
• keep stock of what we have
• package up care packs
• help to deliver and distribute to the community.

If the region has new arrivals from Ukraine demand will be high for this service so volunteers are essential.

You can find out more on Facebook or by emailing nest.union@ncl.ac.uk.

The Tyneside hub of HostNation is seeking friendly volunteers to help refugees and asylum-seekers settle into the North East.

Some of the commentary provided by our experts across broadcast, print and online media include:

24 February. Dr Robert Dale comments on Vladimir Putin’s address to the Russian nation and what it reveals about his intentions concerning Ukraine - BBC Radio Newcastle

25 February. Dr Martin Farr outlines his thoughts on Vladimir Putin’s intentions in invading Ukraine - BBC Cumbria

1 March. Emeritus Professor David Saunders tells Alfie Joey that Vladimir Putin may have overestimated how easy it would be to invade Ukraine and his frustration may make him more barbaric - BBC Radio Newcastle. 

4 March. Dr Katharine Wright talks to Alfie Joey about Ukraine’s relationship with NATO, how NATO has responded to recent conflicts and what its options are in relation to the war in Ukraine - BBC Radio Newcastle

6 March. Putin's war on Ukraine is against the 'Idea of Europe' - Professor Stella Ghervas, Read: Nikkei Asia

8 March. Dr Robert Dale comments on Vladimir Putin’s offer of ‘humanitarian corridors’ - BBC Radio Newcastle

8 March. Comment: A feminist perspective on the Russian-Ukraine War - Dr Katharine Wright, Read: LSE Women

12 March. Should I stay or should I go has become the dilemma for rich Russians in London - Dr Valentina Feklyunina, Read: Globe and Mail (Canada)

15 March. Ukraine: What does neutrality mean, and could it lead to peace? - Dr Katharine Wright, Read: Al Jazeera

16 March. Russia’s colonial legacy and the war in Ukraine - Professor Alastair Bonnett, Read: Geographical magazine

17 March. There is no feminist view in the NATO debate - Dr Katharine Wright, Read: Global396 magazine

3 April. 100 years ago the father of geopolitics foresaw Russia’s attack on Ukraine - Professor Nick Megoran, Read: Kristeligt Dagblad, Denmark

11 April. Den starkes rätt - Dr Katharine AM Wright discusses the gender bias in war - Dr Katharine Wright, Read: Tidningen Global, Sweden

15 April. ‘Unity and strength’: Why Finland and Sweden will join NATO - Dr Katharine Wright, Read: Al Jazeera

22 April. Vladimir Putin's nightmare scenario looks more likely as Finland and Sweden consider NATO membership - Dr Katharine AM Wright. Read: ABC, Australia

5 May. Ukraine war: Russian tests and Putin’s threats recall the nuclear fears of the cold war - Dr Michael Mulvihill, Read: The Conversation

9 May. The Russian May 9 holiday points to the toxicity of the country’s politics of memory - Dr Rob Dale, Read: Coda

Listen to the From Newcastle Ukraine Special Series:

Ukraine Special Part 1: Russia and Ukraine: A brief history with Dr Rob Dale

Ukraine Special Part 2: Perspectives from Russia’s Neighbours with Dr Maarja Luhiste and Dr Jemima Repo

Ukraine Special Part 3: Britain’s Response to Ukraine with Dr Martin Farr

The Military, War and Security Research Group (MWSRG) bring together researchers from across the university. Members of the group study military, war, and security issues.

The group's two main objectives are:

• to support academic events related to research in military, war and security issues
• to provide a group of individuals from a range of disciplines conducting research into military, war and security