“Shame for science”: the defense of Oleksandr Usyk’s dissertation caused a flurry of criticism

In Ukraine, the issue of the quality of scientific theses, the expertise of degree holders, and the observance of academic integrity has long been the subject of loud discussions and has repeatedly become the subject of public debate. This issue is especially acute against the background of numerous cases of detection of plagiarism, writing off, or outright imitation of scientific activity among politicians, officials, famous people, and even teachers of higher educational institutions. Society is increasingly demanding transparency of protection procedures, strict adherence to the law and academic integrity. Every news about the defense of a thesis by a public person causes a wave of discussions, checks and doubts whether the person who has obtained a scientific degree really meets the high criteria of a scientist.

It became another reason for heated discussions and criticism new about the successful defense of a scientific dissertation by the world-famous Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, who studied at the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs (KHNUVS).

“For the scientific search, Oleksandr USYK chose the topic “Administrative and legal support of international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports”. According to the results of the successful defense, by the decision of the one-time specialized Academic Council, the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs awarded Oleksandr USYK the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of knowledge 08 Law with the specialty 081 Law. The rector of the university, Valery SOKURENKO, on behalf of the university team, congratulated Oleksandr USYK on the successful defense dissertation, wished new achievements and victories in life and professional activity!”, – it is said in the message of KhNUVS.

In his scientific work, Usyk investigated the key aspects of the development of international sports relations, the problems of administrative and legal regulation of this sphere, as well as opportunities for Ukraine to be more actively involved in the international sports dialogue. In particular, in his dissertation, he noted that the state should pay more attention to the development of sports infrastructure, support of children’s and youth sports. He also emphasized the importance of attracting investors to the development of the sports industry, especially in cases where the state budget is unable to fully finance the needs of physical education and sports. In his opinion, developed sports infrastructure and international cooperation in this area should become priorities of state policy.

Despite the official recognition of the successful defense of the dissertation, society’s reaction to this event was ambiguous. Critical comments and accusations of imitation of the scientific process immediately began to appear on social media and among the academic community. Svitlana Blagodyeteleva-Vovk, a well-known activist and whistleblower of plagiarism among Ukrainian officials, spoke out particularly harshly.

She is on her Facebook page statedthat this event is “another day of shame for Ukrainian science”. Svitlana Blagodyeteleva-Vovk emphasized that it was not a full-fledged defense of a scientific work, but an imitation of this process. She questioned the observance of academic integrity during the review and approval of Oleksandr Usyk’s dissertation.

“Mr. Oleksandr Usyk / Usyk, why fake the defense of a thesis? Why do you need to devalue Ukrainian science with such an act? Do you want to get paid extra for a fake degree and join the hordes of fake scientists who loot the budget of Ukraine? Considering your busy schedule and schedule of training and matches, it is obvious that you did not have time to conduct research, write articles and a thesis, participate in conferences.

Question to the special council @Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, KhNUVS – why are you simulating the certification process? Does money not smell? I am asking the National Agency for Quality Assurance of Higher Education to cancel the decision of the specialized academic council based on the application of the clause on violation of academic integrity, in particular, academic deception – “providing knowingly false information about one’s own educational (scientific, creative) activity or organization of the educational process” (Article 42 of the Law on Education).

I believe that the champion, if he is worthy of all those victories, should give up the fake diploma and apologize to society. And its scientific director, members of the special council should be removed from their activities,” – written by Svitlana Blagodyeteleva-Vovk.

In addition, in detail analyzed the thesis of Oleksandr Usyk, scientist and whistleblower Oleg Smirnov:

“An eloquent moment regarding literature and errors in citations. In the defense, Mr. read the text with errors. The work is falsified and also has signs of falsification. Keep it up!

The scientific novelty of the obtained results – for the first time: – the classification of international legal acts was carried out… Regarding the classification of dissertations, it should be noted that Usyk’s dissertation belongs to the “Citations” category. Of interest:

1) there are references to unknown sources (see photo);

Photo: facebook.com/smirnov.o.yu

2) immersion in linguistics: discussion of different meanings of the word “transformation”. From what joy?
On the village 100 Usyk writes the following: “In addition, the concept of transformation is widely used in the natural sciences. In medical, biological, and agricultural sciences, special attention is paid to the study of genetic transformation. Back in 1944, as a result of an experiment, O. Avery, K. McLeod, and M. McCarthy discovered that the transforming factor is DNA and called this process transformation. In modern biotechnology, transformation means phenotypic changes caused by expression foreign gene in the organism, i.e., the introduction and subsequent expression of foreign genetic material in it [40; 125; 205].”

At the same time, only the last link is to the original source. Here are the details: #40 – Grazhevska’s manual “Evolution of modern economic systems” 2011 (that is, about economics, not genetics!!!), #64 – Ivchenko’s article on transformation in the economy (!!!) 2015, #125 – Pochenchuk’s article on transformation in the economy (!!!) 2014, #181 – Toffler’s book “Third Wave” (???) 2000, #205 – article Filippova on transformation in the economy (!!!) 2007, No. 234 – article by Avery, MacLeod, McCarty 1944.
That is, we have falsification of sources.

3) also from linguistics (p. 144): “Thus, a concept is a document that is adopted by a higher state authority authorized to do so in order to outline the ideological basis, as well as the vectors of development of a certain state institution. Therefore, the concept is a practically oriented category that has a deep meaning and purpose. In view of this, it would be quite fair to say that the adoption of the “Concept of the Development of International Cooperation in in the field of physical culture and sports” means to create not only an ideological basis for the development of international cooperation, but also to develop a kind of action plan, the implementation of which will ensure the qualitative improvement of the relevant institution.”

4) And regarding justice – on p. 154 we read: “In view of the above, it would be quite fair to say that international organizations play an extremely important role in ensuring the implementation of the norms of international sports law.”
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Dissertation conclusions – on p. 174-179:

1. “International cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports is proposed to be understood…”
2. “The definition of the concept of principles of international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports is proposed…”
3. “It has been established that the system of legal foundations of international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports is represented by a number of normative legal acts of different legal force…”
4. “The following circle of subjects for ensuring international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports is highlighted, as well as the specifics of their competence: 1) the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine…”, 2) the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine – the highest body of the executive power, which is entrusted with the powers…, 3) the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine – the main subject of international cooperation, whose competence includes… 4) the National Anti-Doping Control Laboratory, which corresponds to…
5. It is argued that the functions of ensuring international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports represent the areas of practical activity of specially authorized subjects determined by the norms of current legislation…
6. It has been proven that administrative and legal forms of ensuring international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports are…
7. In order to improve the administrative legislation that regulates international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports, it is proposed: 1) to revise the current Strategy for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports for the period until 2028… 2) to develop and adopt the “Concept for the Development of International Cooperation in the Field of Physical Culture and Sports”, the purpose of which… 3) to ratify the following international documents in the field of physical culture and sports: the Code of Sports Ethics and the Code of Sports Arbitration; 4) to improve the organizational and management principles of international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports. In this context, it is considered expedient to: a) solve the problems of staffing of entities responsible for ensuring international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports; b) to improve the financial support of the relevant sphere of public life; c) to improve the system of information and analytical provision of international cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports.
8. It is summarized that it is expedient to implement in our country
   the following foreign experience…: create a separate non-departmental organization…, develop effective sponsorship mechanisms…, the development of sports infrastructure in Ukraine is necessary; to develop programs for the exchange of experience, both between athletes and the coaching staff…, to provide support for youth training programs abroad, which is especially relevant in the conditions of martial law, since today many athletes are forced to train in basements, or go into shelters several times during one training session.
   – – – – –
   = this last one is very interesting. Athletes suffer a lot, because they have to go into shelters, so they should be sent abroad.” – Oleg Smirnov wrote on Facebook.

This situation has once again brought up the debate in Ukrainian society about how truly transparent, professional and objective the processes of obtaining scientific degrees are in Ukraine. Hasn’t science turned into another platform for creating artificial titles and additional regalia for famous people, politicians, athletes and officials? And does the defense of the thesis really remain the territory of science, and not just a formal procedure?

So far, Oleksandr Usyk has officially received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Law, but the public outcry and calls for inspections may continue. The issue of academic integrity will continue to be under the scrutiny of a society that demands real science, not imitation.