Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Volodymyr Bugrov said he has no plans to resign over the scandal involving an intimate video. However, the student parliament is insisting on an independent investigation.
The parties spoke about this on the air of Radio “Culture”.
Tensions at the university escalated after a video was posted on an anonymous Telegram channel on March 20, allegedly showing a man resembling the rector.
After that, the student government appealed to the university administration and the Ministry of Education. According to a student representative, the Ministry of Education and Science created a special commission to investigate.
The representative of the student parliament emphasized that the students are not demanding the immediate resignation of the rector, but are expecting public answers.
“Regardless of the authenticity of the video, this is a major blow to the university's reputation, and it should be commented on. We are not planning any new protests at the moment,” said Ivan Lazorenko, acting chairman of the student parliament.
Among the students' demands is a DNA examination of intimate items allegedly found in the classroom, as well as the temporary suspension of the rector for the duration of the inspection.
Rector's position
Instead, Volodymyr Bugrov considers the scandal an information campaign against him on the eve of the rector's elections, and also calls it a “dirty organized attempt at raiding.”
“The situation surrounding the university and my person developed in 2021, when I refused certain appointments to positions that may be considered breadwinners for some, and refused to alienate part of the university's territory,” says Bugrov.
He stated that he does not plan to be removed from office without official reasons and inspections carried out in a legally approved manner.
“Make excuses for what? About the hack 333 In 2024, when preparing documents for the purchase of food for cadets, KNU specialists made a technical error in the price of hake fish, indicating 333 UAH per kilogram. Then Rector Bugrov noted that fish was not purchased at that price. , an inspection was carried out by the prosecutor's office. As soon as it is procedurally established what is being checked and in what way, I absolutely agree to these inspections. Yesterday, I advised Mr. Ivan to contact the administrator of the Telegram channel for the source file with metadata, then the examination can be carried out,” the rector said.
Students of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv took to the streets in Kyiv on the afternoon of April 1 to protest against the current rector, Volodymyr Bugrov.
His contract with the educational institution expires on April 29. Earlier, the Ministry of Education and Science announced a competition for the position of rector.