Finland freezes higher education and research cooperation with Russia – Support for Ukrainian students in Finland

NordenBladet — Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen decided on Wednesday 9 March on new policies on Russia with regard to higher education and research and on preparations related to support for Ukraine.The Ministry of Education and Culture recommends that Finnish higher education institutions refrain from all cooperation with Russian partner organisations in higher education and science. According to the policies, new projects should not be initiated and existing cooperation between organisations should be suspended for the time being. The processing of new initiatives related to cooperation between the authorities of Finland and Russia or Belarus will also be frozen.It is hoped that higher education institutions can provide mental support to students and staff for the anxiety caused by the crisis in Ukraine and actively inform them of what kind of support is available. Support is available especially for Ukrainian students and staff members.