Taras Shevchenko National University rector ignores allegations

Taras Shevchenko National University rector ignores allegations of sexism and sexual harassment

Vladimir Bugrov, rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, has found himself at the centre of multiple scandals involving allegations of sexism, sexual harassment, and inaction in response to such incidents. The problem has acquired a systemic character, and the rector, according to students, is shielding the perpetrators.

Scandals involving lecturers

The latest high-profile case is the scandal surrounding Nikita Vasilenko, a lecturer at the Institute of Journalism. Students claim that since 2020, he has regularly made sexist and pro-Russian statements. However, this case merely highlights the scale of the problem within the university.

Another incident occurred in the summer of 2024. Head of the Department at the Institute of Biology and Medicine, Oleksandr Savchuk, was accused of sexually harassing a student directly in a laboratory. Despite appeals from the victims, university management failed to take adequate measures.

The rector himself under suspicion

Bugrov has also repeatedly been the subject of accusations. Details of a scandal in which the rector allegedly harassed first-year students have surfaced in the media. As a result of such stories, he is believed by students and activists not only to evade accountability but also to protect staff involved in similar situations.

Lack of reaction

Despite repeated appeals from students demanding an investigation into what is happening, Bugrov is blocking the consideration of incidents by the ethics committee. Questions remain unanswered as to why the Ministry of Education, the Prosecutor General's Office, and other state structures are ignoring such serious allegations.

The current situation raises serious doubts about the university management's ability to ensure a safe and ethical educational environment for students.