Rector calls not yield to provocations

Dear teachers, staff, post-graduate students, students of Uzhgorod National University, concerned citizens of Uzhgorod and Transcarpathian region!

Uzhgorod National University is a hallmark of the region, higher education institution that has been training professionals in all spheres of life of the region and Ukraine for decades. UzhNU has always had its own face, dignity and conscience, and therefore it is regrettable that now, after the Revolution of Dignity, it is suffering from external interference.

In early December, there was an attempt to artificially create the situation of chaos and disorder in the university. This is evidenced by the events that took place on December 2-5 at the University in connection with the work of the investigative group of the Main Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, who had come to UzhNU to investigate the criminal proceedings registered in the Unified register of pre-trial investigations into the forgery by the former staff of the administration. Obviously, we are witnessing unprecedented illegal pressure on the university management work to obstruct the investigation, and, given the events of December 5, the whole staff of UzhNU.

In view of the situation, I appeal to students and employees of Uzhgorod National University:

– Do not respond to provocations, perform your functions and tasks as usual;

– Do not allow disruption of winter examinations, which continue at the university;

– Immediately inform the university administration and the police of unlawful interference or pressure from outsiders in the work of any university department.

Also, I ask the representatives of state and local government and the public to respond and provide proper assessment of illegal attempts to destabilize the work of the university officials and staff of UzhNU, to take all measures to protect legitimate and democratic foundations of the university activities, to prevent obstruction of the university work.

Considering any pressure on any of the university employee unacceptable, I reserve the right to appeal with the corresponding statement about the situation regarding UzhNU to the higher governing bodies of the state.

I rely on the support of the public of the region, of all who care about honor and fate of Uzhgorod National University!

Volodymyr Smolanka, Rector

Recall that last Friday, a group of people, who introduced themselves as the Right Sector, occupied the administration building demanding a meeting with the management of the institution.