It will enable at least one displaced Ukrainian scholar to continue their research at the University of Warsaw in Poland, fully covering the scholar’s expenses for two semesters, or two scholars for one semester each.

The Fellowship was launched at an event on Wednesday at the Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's Kelburn campus, attended by the Ukrainian and Polish Ambassadors to New Zealand, and the New Zealand Ambassador to Poland and Ukraine.

The idea for the initiative came from Victoria University of Wellington Emeritus Professor Rob Rabel, who was based at the University of Warsaw on a visiting professorship in early 2022 when Ukraine was invaded.

Emeritus Professor Rabel says he was heartened to see the action taken by the Polish academic community’s support for Ukrainian scholars.

“It made me realise that our own University could help in a meaningful and distinctive gesture of academic solidarity to support scholars affected by the war.

“With academic freedom in the region at great risk, I knew that together we could make a difference and allow the voices of Ukrainian scholars to be heard.”

Staff, alumni, and the University itself contributed to the effort, raising the $25,000 needed to launch the Fellowship.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) at Victoria University of Wellington, Blair McRae, says the Fellowship, formed as part of an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in the week, marks another chapter in the already strong partnership between Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Warsaw.

“It builds on the existing Academic Cooperation Agreement between the universities, where academics partake in joint research activities, exchange academic materials, and sometimes send teaching staff on visiting professorships, amongst other initiatives.

“The MoU aims to, through both our universities, support members of another university community coping with some of the most stressful circumstances imaginable.”