At Kharkiv National University named after VN Karazin, a scandal is unfolding - graduate students declare systemic pressure and demand, which is carried out under the cover of inspections of scientific activity. Under the pretext of combating fake dissertations and plagiarism, they are massively “called for a conversation”, connecting even representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine.
According to students, conversations occur in the presence of officials from ministerial structures. Formally, the goal is to "cleanse the system" and to implement quality control. But in practice, everything looks different: the dissertations are questioned, in a few minutes they find "plagiarism" and hint at the opportunity to "solve the issue" with money.
"You want a deferral - show the dissertation or pay" - such a phrase, according to graduate students, had to hear those who have already completed their studies or no longer pay for a contract.
The true purpose, according to sources, is not to increase scientific standards, but to create a new corruption "feeder". The idea is simple: you want to stay postgraduate studies - either you do or get ready for deduction.
It is noted separately that the wave of "sudden checks" began after the termination of regular payments by graduate students, which have already defended or completed the contract. They have become the main goal - the system no longer receives money from them, so it looks for new levers of influence.
Such actions actually trigger the repressive and corruption mechanism under the reform sauce. Instead of a real fight against plagiarism and falsification of theses, we have another example of pressure on young scientists. This harms not only specific people, but also the reputation of Ukrainian higher education in general.
"While paying for a contract - no one was needed. He stopped paying - the SBU appeared, the dissertation was suspicious, and hints began to solve issues," one of the graduate students complains.
If the situation does not change, we can get another blow to academic integrity - this time from those who formally protect it.
