Universities are more than places of study. They are communities where students build relationships, find support, develop a sense of belonging, and prepare for their future. In times of crisis, this role becomes even more important.
The UkraStud project, “Perceptions of Inclusion, Well-being and Identification with the European Union in Ukrainian University Students,” was created to support Ukrainian university students and to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions to promote inclusion, well-being, and European cooperation.
For Ukrainian international students, inclusion cannot be reduced to access to university. Being enrolled is only the first step. Students also need clear information, meaningful social connections, language and administrative support, psychological safety, and opportunities to participate in academic and campus life.
UkraStud places educational communities at the centre of this process. A supportive university community involves many actors: academic staff, international offices, student affairs services, career centers, counseling services, tutors, peer buddies, student organizations, and local partners. Each of them can contribute to making the university environment more welcoming, accessible, and responsive.
One of the key messages of the project is that inclusion is a shared responsibility. No single office or person can address all students’ needs alone. Effective support requires coordination, clear roles, referral pathways, and continuous communication between different university services.
Through its research, online training, operational guidelines, and dissemination activities, UkraStud helps universities move from isolated support actions to more structured inclusion systems. The project highlights the importance of positive intergroup contact, peer support, accessible services, and practical tools for monitoring students’ needs and improving institutional responses.
Strengthening educational communities also means helping students imagine and build their future. Many Ukrainian students face uncertainty about study, work, mobility, return, or long-term career plans. Universities can support them through, for instance, career guidance, recognition of qualifications, internship opportunities, employer partnerships, and long-term planning.
Psychological well-being is another essential dimension. Students affected by war may experience stress, anxiety, isolation, grief, or trauma-related difficulties. Universities do not need to turn every staff member into a mental health professional, but they do need to create safe environments, notice warning signs, and ensure that students can access appropriate support when needed.
The European dimension of UkraStud is central. By bringing together partners from Italy, Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, and Croatia, the project promotes cooperation, exchange of practices, and shared standards for inclusive higher education. At the same time, its tools can be adapted to different local contexts and institutional systems.
UkraStud reflects key European values such as solidarity, dignity, equality, participation, and respect for diversity. These values become concrete when universities provide a clear orientation pathway, a trained buddy, an accessible service, a respectful classroom, or timely support for a student in difficulty.
By investing in inclusion, universities invest in stronger, more resilient, educational communities. UkraStud contributes to this goal by supporting higher education institutions in becoming places where students are not only admitted, but welcomed, accompanied, and empowered.
