Edinburgh Napier University

It is hard to comprehend that this weekend marks two years since the crisis in Ukraine began following the invasion by Russian troops. While it might not now dominate the headlines every day, there is still daily death, suffering and hardship across the region.
 
In such terrible situations, it can be easy to feel helpless. However, it’s important to stand together in support of one another with empathy and take action where we can, and I know the Edinburgh Napier community has rallied over the past two years to support the people and higher education institutions of Ukraine.

From our fantastic students who hosted a 24-hour ‘radiothon’ to raise money for those affected, to our twinning with Lutsk National Technical University, and the work of our School Support Service which in organising entrance exams to Ukrainian universities, we have shown our support. It was truly inspirational to welcome staff and students from Lutsk to our campuses last September (pictured). They spent a busy week with us touring all our campuses and spending time with members of our community. I was lucky enough to have time to talk with their Rector and the rest of the team, and hear about the challenges they have dealt with in running the university and supporting staff and students through the trauma of the last two years.
 
Indeed, listening to their stories reminded me of the significance of research being co-led by Professor Thanos Karatzias that has explored the extent of trauma caused by the conflict – the first such work to take place in an active warzone. We now realise the impact the deaths of thousands of people in the war has caused as many of their relatives now suffer from prolonged grief disorder, a severe condition that requires treatment and support. This important work has identified the extent of this condition and that it should be targeted as a priority for treatment in the future.
 
Of course, Ukraine is not the only part of the world seeing significant unrest, and our thoughts are also with those in the Middle East and in all parts of the world currently affected by conflict.
 
As always, I encourage anyone affected by the ongoing situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, or elsewhere to seek support, and please encourage anyone you see or know is struggling to do likewise. Students can find health and wellbeing resources on My Napier or through ENSA (ensa.advice@napier.ac.uk) while support for staff can be found on the staff intranet.
 
Our thoughts continue to be with all those whose lives have been and continue to be affected by these terrible events and I hope that we see peace very soon.

Professor Andrea Nolan.
Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University.