Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tragic events have marked the beginning of the summer semester 2021/2022 – with the Russian Federation initiating a war of aggression in Ukraine. Right behind our Eastern borders a war is unfolding; people are suffering and dying. It is our duty to do everything that we can to help those in need.
We have added a special tab on the AMU homepage where new information is posted regularly. Special forms are available via AMU Intranet for the volunteers who want to provide help and those who seek help. The university has also launched an account number where donations can be made to help refugees from Ukraine. Numerous fundraisers are held at AMU faculties, as our entire community has unanimously joined in the action of helping Ukraine. I would like to thank all of you for every gesture of kindness and display of support.
During Monday's session the AMU Senate adopted a resolution expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian nation. Today, in accordance with the decision of the Polish Ministry of Education and Science and following the appeal to Polish academics and intellectual elites in connection with Russia's aggression against Ukraine, I have decided to suspend all official cooperation with the institutions of science and higher education of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The decision is an expression of our opposition towards military action against independent Ukraine, an unprecedented act of aggression that threatens peace in Europe.
Our protest relates to the actions of politicians and governments, it is not aimed at people of Russian or Belarusian nationality. I appeal to our academic community for understanding and kindness towards the representatives of these nations who are currently at AMU. Our Russian and Belarusian students and colleagues are also in a very difficult situation. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that all actions taken by AMU are aimed, on the one hand, at helping those who have been harmed by the war and, on the other hand, at expressing our profound opposition towards armed aggression and criminal politics that replace constructive dialogue with bombs and tanks.
In conclusion of this special letter, I would like to recall the words of the AMU Senate resolution, in which we appeal to the authorities of the Russian Federation to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw troops from the territory of Ukraine. We all hope for an end of war and a return to cooperation in research which shapes the future of the world we live in and are responsible for.
Professor Bogumiła Kaniewska
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań
Rector