Dear colleagues,
Thank you for standing with Ukraine in these horrifying times. Thank you for the letter of support and the initiative to collect donations. As you know, as a result of this war a lot of Ukrainians have been displaced and have moved to locations outside Ukraine, to the EU and further out in the world. I am afraid I am one of them. I left Odessa, Ukraine after the first series of blast two weeks ago and I am now in London, staying with my university friends and looking for a job.
Ukraine is among the most educated societies in the world with a tertiary gross enrollment ratio (GER) of 83 percent (2014, UNESCO) and hard-working Ukrainians will contribute greatly to the European economy. The majority would prefer and are able, and willing to earn their living rather than live off donations and refugee support. The majority of those who had to flee are also keen to return to Ukraine once this hell is over.
CEMS is a fantastic alliance of students, universities and companies, and the community and corporate partners could do more to help - by offering education, employment opportunities, fast-track recruitment to Ukrainians who had to flee.
Please pass on this message to academic and corporate partners.
I am truly grateful.
Glory to Ukraine!
Kind regards,