DAAD supports establishment of two Ukraine studies centres

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is supporting the setting up of two centres for interdisciplinary Ukraine studies at German universities. Funding is being provided by the Federal Foreign Office.

The University of Regensburg in Bavaria was chosen to run the Think Space Ukraine (TSU) Centre, while the Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin (KIU) is headed by the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), in Brandenburg, and is a collaborative scheme with Berlin universities and research institutions. Viadrina is located on the River Oder, the border between Germany and Poland.

The two centres are to receive around €750,000 (US$811,000) this year and, in all, just under €5 million up to 2028.

Expertise on Ukraine

The two centres are to contribute to boosting expertise on Ukraine in Germany and strategically combine teaching and research in social sciences and the arts concerning Ukraine. Furthermore, the centres are to focus on academic communication and networking among German, Ukrainian and international actors in academia and civil society.

The latest research results are to be made available both to a specialist audience and to the broader public, especially also for institutions involved in the restoration of Ukraine.

“Shortly after the second anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, by supporting the setting up of the two centres, we as the DAAD are sending a clear signal of cooperation and solidarity,” said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee.

“The two centres are going to boost expertise on Ukraine in Germany, while intensively working together with partners in Ukraine itself in this context.”

Mukherjee has maintained that the war in Ukraine has shown that Germany needs more expertise on Eastern Europe, and in particular on Ukraine.

“Here in Germany too, Ukraine’s restoration and its [preparations] for joining the European Union require that we deepen our knowledge of its history, politics, economy, culture and society. The two centres are going to make an important contribution in this context,” he said.

To contact Michael Gardner, e-mail michael.gardner@uw-news.com