Students from crisis-hit areas in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region are eligible for support. The war in Ukraine has created acute problems for students from Ukraine, Belarus and Russia who are studying in the Netherlands. Concerns about their families, practical problems such as not having access to their money and currency devaluation, but above all, serious concerns about the progress of their studies. Will they be able to complete their studies, are they allowed to stay here, and how will they pay for them next year? On the initiative of Arnhem and Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, ArtEZ and Radboud University, The Economic Board has set up ‘Lifeport Scholarships’ to help these students.
Rob Verhofstad, Chair of the Executive Board at HAN and a member of The Economic Board, explains: “The higher education institutions themselves have already put various measures in place to provide support, including mental health support, academic support and ‘emergency aid’ to help with shopping or paying rent. But to address the major concern about the progress of their studies, there is the Lifeport Scholarship. Through this, we aim to help students from this conflict zone, as well as students from similar conflict zones elsewhere in the world, with scholarships, part-time jobs and paid work placements. It is precisely here that we, as a region, can make a difference – today, but also in the future. Because, sadly but true, these are situations that are likely to occur more frequently.
Ahmed Marcouch, Mayor of Arnhem and Chair of The Economic Board, adds: “We are setting up the Lifeport Scholarship in collaboration with the members of The Economic Board and organisations, businesses and institutions in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region. Because this is precisely where we, as a region, can make a difference.”
Investing in human capital
Marcouch sees helping these students as a social responsibility, but also as an opportunity for the region. “It’s important to give our international students meaningful experiences. That’s always a good thing, whether they stay or not. Once the war is over, good trade relations and cultural exchanges will help democracy and prosperity.”
Verhofstad adds that we must do something with this, and that we are also capable of doing so: “As a region, we have so much to offer, but also a great deal to gain. We’re talking about students at universities of applied sciences and universities. Smart, ambitious people who’ve had the courage and drive to come to the Netherlands to study. Surely it would be a terrible shame if they were unable to complete their studies? By helping them now, we’re retaining them for the economy and the labour market. Contributing to Lifeport Scholarships is an investment in the human capital of the future.”
Help us!
The first step in the plan is to set up a number of Scholarships, scholarships that will allow these students to complete their studies. "In addition, together with entrepreneurs, companies and institutions, we are trying to help those students find work. Side jobs, summer work or paid internships that will help them, but also provide the employer with a valuable resource," Verhofstad said. Would you also like to contribute? You can do so financially, but also by offering work. Want to know more? If you would like to contribute to the Lifeport Scholarship, get involved and contact: bureau@theeconomicboard.com.
