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| [Photo: Unsplash] |
Recent hours have seen an eruption of debate over the University of Turin's intention to offer economic resources to Ukrainian students, as well as Russian and Belarusian students, among others. In addition, the Piedmontese University has announced two scholarship calls: one for students of Ukrainian nationality, offering 20 scholarships of 3,000 euros each, and another for Russian and Belarusian nationals, offering 20 scholarships of 2,000 euros each. It said in the release that the cash would be used to assist Russian and Belarusian students who have "found themselves in extreme economic problems as a result [of] the outbreak of the Ukrainian international crisis." In his complaint, honorary consul in Piedmont Dario Arrigotti states that it is "at least surprising to equate the state of "serious difficulty" of Russian and Belarusian students with that of Ukrainian students in terms of economic aid and words," and he asks the consulate to provide further clarification.
Without delving into the merits of the debate, it is important to note that the University has arranged a number of conventions, which were attended by specialists, in order to extend the scope of the debate and better comprehend the Russian struggle in Ukraine. Roundtable discussions and talks are being held in order to shift away from a single narrative.
In this instance, individuals who lack foresight are the ones who are igniting the dispute. The emphasis of the debate is on the concept that Russian students should be barred from receiving financial help in order to "sanction" them for the decisions made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Thus, the Russian people get acclimated to the president of the Russian Federation, as is also the case for other citizens who are subject to severe laws imposed by their government's chief executive. And the deceptive simplicity of this equation runs the danger of luring everyone into a mental trap as they seek to explain increasingly complicated events with a simple equation. It also contributes to factionism, which has direct effects for the many residents who are denied the chance to train, separate themselves from the leader they loathe, and examine an alternative to the one imposed by the leader they dislike the most.