Collaborators initiated «reform» of the system of higher education on occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia oblast. They are going to unite all universities located on temporary occupied territories into one single university. This scheme was implemented on the temporary occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. But diplomas of Crimean universities occupied by Russia are not recognized anywhere in the world, except of the Russian Federation.
Occupants’ plans were announced by so- called «head of the military civil administration» of Zaporizhzhia oblast Yevhen Balytskyi, as reported by the Center for Journalist Investigations.
«Today, the decree about creation of the Melitopol State University was signed. It will be a rather large structure, created on the basis of higher education institutions of the Zaporizhzhia oblast. This will allow adapting the higher education system to the Russian Federation» as Yevhen Balytskyi said.
Yevhen Balytskyi (right) at the «Bessmertny Polk» action held by occupants in Melitopol, 05/09/2022
Melitopol State Pedagogical University (MDPU), Tavria State Agro-Technological University (TDAU), Classical Private University, and Berdyansk State Pedagogical University will be merged into one university.
Andrii Chuikov became the «rector» of the united university. He worked at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs until 2014. He is infamous for his public refusal from his certificate of policeman during the anti-Maidan rally.
Chuikov informed Russian propaganda channels that this year graduates will receive a «diploma from a prestigious Moscow university».
Андрій Чуйков
At the same time, MDPU and TDAU are currently re-registered in Zaporizhzhia. The Pedagogical University – on the basis of the Khortytsa Academy whereas Tavriysk TDAU – on the basis of the Zaporizhia National University.
The rectors of both universities addressed students and teachers with an explanation that studies continue remotely according to Ukrainian programs. Graduates receive Ukrainian diplomas, and teachers who do not cooperate with occupants will continue to receive salaries.
At the same time, students and employees, if necessary, can pick up original documents (work books, certificates, etc.) from the office of the higher education institutions in Melitopol. In fact, actions of occupants and their governors in Zaporizhzhia oblast are only about the seizure of the property of universities which continue to work at legal addresses on the free territory of Ukraine.
Material is prepared by non-profit «Information press center» within IWPR project under the support of the European Union and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
