Welcome Center: Dr Iryna Shkura – A Story of Remarkable People

2025-01-27 The Ukrainian had to flee the war with her daughter. She has since learned to speak German almost fluently and works in quality management and program coordination at the Professional School. Leuphana's Welcome Center has made it easier for her to integrate and start her career.

©Leuphana/Phillip Bachmann
“My story is one of immense support and incredible people,” she says. Dr Iryna Shkura said.

When Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, Iryna Shkura’s life changed overnight: “A safe life and work were no longer possible in my homeland. I had to flee with my daughter, female relatives, and friends,” she recalls. It was a difficult time, but one that also brought her hope: “My story is one of immense support and incredible people,” she says.

The Welcome Center at Leuphana was part of that story. The advisory service supports international employees and scholars planning to stay in Lüneburg for research or teaching purposes. It also provides information and guidance to hosting institutions.

For Iryna Shkura, fleeing Ukraine meant not only leaving behind her homeland, family, and friends but also her academic career. She was an Associate Professor at the Global Economy Department of Alfred Nobel University, a private institution in Dnipro. “I began searching for opportunities to continue my research on sustainable investments in Germany,” she recalls.

The Welcome Center facilitated her connection with the School of Management and Technology. Through Leuphana, Iryna Shkura applied for grants from VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation). “The funding began as early as June 2022,” she says. This support was aimed at Ukrainian scholars unable to pursue their research due to the war.

Today, Iryna Shkura is employed at the Professional School as a quality manager and degree programme coordinator. In Ukraine, she had already worked as a Vice-Rector for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. “The Welcome Center supported me from day one and for instance helped me organise language courses, extend my scholarship, and access vital information about residence permits, driver’s licence recognition, tax declaration specifics, and many other crucial aspects of the integration process,” she explains. According to Birthe Wimschulte from the Welcome Center, Iryna Shkura is one of many success stories: “This is also because she has learned to speak German remarkably well in a very short time. She didn’t just complete all our German courses but also took advantage of additional programmes,” Wimschulte notes.

Iryna Shkura has found her footing in Germany. Her daughter attends a grammar school (Gymnasium) and excels academically. When asked about returning to Ukraine, Iryna Shkura remains uncertain: “I can’t plan far ahead. Times are uncertain. But I’m doing everything I can to be useful here and advance professionally. With the incredible people supporting us at Leuphana and in my community, I believe it’s possible.”