The war in Ukraine and HVL
HVL follows developments in Ukraine closely and is ready to provide help and support.
HVL has students and staff from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. We are concerned with taking care of students and staff who have been affected by the war. Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian students and staff should feel safe and taken care of.
HVL has its own emergency response group for coordination and handling of Ukraine-related matters. Director of Organisation Tage Båtsvik is the leader of the emergency group. Employees and students are followed up by faculties, departments and units.
Recent updates
8.7.2022 update: For the academic year 2022/2023, higher education institutions may make exceptions from the general admission requirements for individuals with collective protection or asylum in Norway.
1.7.2022 update: Refugees of all nationalities who are present in Norway and have registered for collective protection or received individual asylum in Norway may apply for admission. HVL will accept applications from refugees even if the ordinary deadlines for international students have passed. All PhD programmes and some Master’s programmes are available for application. We are currently considering which semester programmes and single subjects that will be available. Please have a look at our Q&A for Ukrainian students if you would like to apply.
24.5.2022 update: HVL is waiting for information from the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research on rules and regulations that will regulate this type of admission, for example in relation to language requirements, admission requirements for Ukrainian students on undergraduate courses and programs and more, as HVL are bound by national rules and regulations for admission to higher education. It is not clear when this information will come from the Ministry, but we hope for answers soon.
28.3.2022 update: Students affected by the war may have to cover the cost of living. The government has therefore established a scholarship scheme for the spring semester 2022, which will ensure that students can complete their ongoing studies in Norway. HVL will make direct contact with the relevant students and provide support and help.
13.2.2022 update: In a letter dated 10 March, HVL replied to the Ministry of Education and Research that we are ready to provide help and support in the difficult and unmanageable conditions that lie ahead. We have mapped available study places and opportunities for rapid upscaling of English-language teaching and Norwegian language training. HVL has also signaled the appointment of Ukrainian researchers and academics. In the letter to the ministry, HVL emphasizes that there is a need for national facilitation and good coordination on the part of the government on the war in Ukraine.
4.3.2022 update: The Norwegian government freezes research and education cooperation with Russia.
HVL supports Universities Norway's (UHR) condemnation of the Russian attacks on Ukraine. HVL also follows advice from the Ministry of Education.
“We must maintain a sensible and truth-seeking dialogue. We must, for example, be able to place the responsibility for acts of war with responsible authorities and not let entire ethnic groups suffer. It is our responsibility to ensure that stigmatization and discriminatory categorization do not take place. We have staff and students with bands to not only Ukraine, but also to Russia and Belarus, and to neighboring countries. They all need to be taken care of these days. We can all help make everyday life easier”, says Rector Gunnar Yttri.
“We can each do our part. Taking the time to listen has a special value for both students and staff these days”.
“In a war, propaganda will be part of the warfare. In our time of social media, we all have a role to play. It is especially important that everyone takes an active responsibility for not spreading misleading or untrue information”.
“We know that our own employees and students can feel extra turmoil and grief these days. Both HVL and the student organization Saman therefore facilitate support for those who need it”.
Do you need someone to talk to?
- Are you a student and need someone to talk to?
- Employees who experience conditions that affect the work situation can contact their immediate supervisor.
- HVL also offers services through the occupational health service.
Please feel free to contact us
Do you want to get in touch with us? Are you looking for studies or work, do you want to meet our employees, use our library, or visit one of the campuses?
Contact Form for Ukrainians