As Henk Kivits, president of the University Fund reports, “The UFe board was quick to realize that something had to be done to provide TU/e students and employees with financial assistance. The fund has made a hundred thousand euros available from its own funds and has started a donation campaign.”

Two hundred alumni have already made a donation in response to a letter they received last week Tuesday from UFe and the Alumni Office. At the moment, Edith Snelders, team leader at TU/e’s Alumni Office, cannot say exactly how much has been collected in this way.

“We are currently working hard to chart precisely where the problems are located and how we can best address them, using our available resources. This week we are holding our first interviews with possible victims. We are considering students and employees from not only Ukraine, but also from Russia. We are deliberately making no distinction between them. And our concern extends to others who are affected, perhaps because they are collaborating with a university in one of these two countries,” says Snelders.

According to UFe president Kivits, a long-running campaign is anticipated, “and the UFe board is in close communication with the Executive Board as regards the campaign and the spending of funds.”

Do you experience financial struggles due to the Russian invasion in Ukraine and want to apply for the fund? Send an email to the UF.