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Ionian University becomes ‘foster parent’ of students from Ukraine and Russia

Ionian University
04 Mar 2022 / 19:48

CORFU. The Dean pledged to provide them with free accommodation and food, as well as psychological support, if necessary, through the responsible structures of the University.

The Ionian University is ‘embracing’ the undergraduate students from both Ukraine and Russia, on the initiative of Dean Andreas Floros and is providing them with accommodation and food for the next months and for as long as necessary.
 
Early this morning, a group of Ukrainian students visited the Dean in his office and discussed about the situation their families are experiencing in Ukraine, as well as the needs the students are having due to the situation in their country.
 
The Dean pledged to provide them with free accommodation and food, as well as psychological support, if necessary, through the responsible structures of the University.
 
“29 young people from Ukraine and Russia are currently studying at the Ionian University. They are students who have found themselves in an absurd situation and have to deal with the stress caused by their families' daily lives, the economic and social impact of the war and the anxiety of continuing their studies.
 
The Ionian University stands by the side of these young people, in a practical way and for as long as required, providing them with living conditions to make them feel safe, in order to be able to continue their studies”, said the Ionian University Dean Andreas Floros.
 
The University, in collaboration with the Corfu Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Corfu Hoteliers’ Association, who responded immediately to the Dean’s call, will be able to cover the student’s daily needs and will also provide work for those who want it.
 
“This is a humanitarian gesture, to which we must all contribute” said the Chamber President Giorgos Hondroyiannis during a meeting at the Dean's office. Present at the meeting was also the Municipal Council member Spyridon Spais.
 
“The University and the local community are like a family and we will do everything we can to support it “, said Mr. Spais. The Corfu Hoteliers’ Association President Haralambos Voulgaris, talking to the students from Ukraine, promised them his full support and offered them immediate employment if they wish to.
 
Ten Ukrainian and nineteen Russian students are currently studying at the Ionian University. The same support and assistance are expected to be given to the Russian students, as due to the current state of the banks, these students are unable to get money and, thus are, or will be, in financial difficulty.
 
“There will be no discrimination between our students from Ukraine and Russia. We will stand by them for everything they may need,” said Mr. Floros, who will soon meet with the Russian students. “Ukrainians and Russians are brotherly peoples for us and it is an honour that they came to Corfu to study”, concluded the Chamber President Giorgos Hondroyiannis.
 
Next Tuesday (March 8) the students from Ukraine are expected to visit the Ionian University Dean and he, along with the representatives of the Corfu Hoteliers’ Association and the Corfu Chamber of Commerce, will announce the immediate support measures. The Dean's aim is to contact the Chambers of Commerce of the other Ionian Islands, as there may be ten Ukrainian and twelve Russian students studying in Corfu in undergraduate programmes today, but there are also three Russian students in Lefkada, three in Cephalonia and one in Zakynthos.
 
At the same time, the Ionian University, is calling anyone interested – both organisations and the public – to support this gesture so that the students can continue their studies, remain in our country and cope as easily as possible with the difficulties caused by the war.