The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation is having a devastating impact on the lives of the Ukrainian people and those currently in Ukraine. Everyone is affected in different ways by this appalling act of violence and the unjustified suffering being inflicted, and our thoughts are with our students, staff and alumni in and from Ukraine and those of you that have friends and loved ones there.
Our concern is also with our Russian and Belarusian students, staff and alumni who are living with the consequences of an invasion that they are not responsible for.
Our priority has been and continues to be for the wellbeing and safety of our students and staff and the effect this unprovoked attack may have on them, now and in the future.
Our Faculty Wellbeing and Welfare Advisors are helping individuals in need and our Residences Welfare Leads are also supporting students in our residences.
Hardship funding is being made available to support students significantly impacted by the invasion of Ukraine. International students who are experiencing financial difficulty should contact our Advice and Guidance team, who can offer confidential, expert advice.
Counselling support is also available to our students and staff. Students can speak to the King’s Counselling & Mental Health Support Service which offers free and confidential in-person and online support as well as our Pro-Counselling telephone counselling service. Students may also like to connect with their peers through KCLSU.
Our staff may want to talk to a trusted colleague or manager, and our independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can be contacted by phone or email.
Our Chaplains are available to students and staff for informal and confidential discussions and can be contacted at chaplaincy@kcl.ac.uk.
We know students will be concerned about their studies. Faculties are in touch with students who are impacted directly, and Programme teams are providing support or adjustments through our mitigating circumstances processes.
The King’s community can be a real source of comfort and strength to each other in times of fear and loss in all parts of the world and it is crucial to support everyone of all backgrounds, nationalities and faiths. Now is the time for us to come together. Prayers for Peace have been taking place daily at 12 noon this week in the Strand Chapel and interfaith Prayers for Peace will continue to take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Many of you have expressed your concern and asked what you can do to help and support communities impacted by the invasion of Ukraine. In this list you can find information about organisations that are seeking financial donations, volunteers and essential items.
Immigration and visas
The Home Office has confirmed that Ukrainians who are on work, study or visit visas in the UK will have their visas temporarily extended or be able to switch onto different visa routes.
Students who need support relating to their Student Visa or immigration status to study at King’s please contact the University’s Visa & International Student Advice team on advice@kcl.ac.uk
If you, your friends of family need information regarding immigration, the following resources may be of help:
Travel advice
If you are planning to travel overseas or are returning to the UK, please check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website and follow the guidance in place for the country you are travelling to and from. Please make sure you are following the university guidance with regard to business or study travel.
Partnerships
As a university we have worked to secure a clear statement with our partners in the Guild of European Research Intensive Universities calling on Europe’s governments, and the EU, to enable our universities to support Ukrainian students and staff on our campuses, and through the provision of distance education where needed.
King’s has one institutional partnership in Russia which enables reciprocal study placements for a small number of students. We are supporting students currently with us on their study placement and those due to go on placements abroad.
We are reviewing our future engagement with this institution beyond the obligations we have to our current students through this relationship.
Our academics and researchers have individual relationships with academics in Russia and whilst these continue, we do not have any active research grants or other agreements in place.
Expert comment
Our many world renowned academics from our School of Security Studies and King’s Russia Institute have been sharing their expert analysis on a wide range of topics related to the invasion of Ukraine.
There’s also an opportunity to hear from our experts on Tuesday 8 March, 16.00 to 17.30. This online event is open to students and staff you can register for this event here.
Our hopes and thoughts go out to all those impacted by this needless act of war that is destroying lives and bringing untold hardship to the people of Ukraine. We urge our students and staff to seek the support that is available to them. We will do our utmost to help in any way we can.
With best wishes,
Professor Shitij Kapur
President & Principal
Reverend Dr Ellen Clark-King
Dean of King’s College London