Today, on 14 February 2025, an extraordinary meeting of the supreme collegial self-governing body of the University - the Conference of the staff - was held at the National University ‘Odesa Law Academy’.
In accordance with the requirements of the Statute, the Conference was convened by the decisions of the Academic Council and the Primary Trade Union Organization of the National University ‘OLA’. The meeting was attended by representatives of all structural subdivisions of the University, including research and teaching staff, students, postgraduate students, doctoral students, and employees of the administrative bodies of the educational institution.
The main issue on the agenda of the Conference was the discussion of the legality and expediency of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine's Resolution No. 111-p of 12 February 2025 ‘On the Reorganization of the "National University "Odesa Law Academy". Also, the compliance of Oksen Lisovyi with the criteria of competence and impartiality, given his provocative statements regarding the staff of the Odesa Law Academy.
During the discussion, more than 30 people spoke at the Staff Conference, including reputable scholars and lecturers, heads of departments, the head of the student self-government, and the head of the Primary Trade Union Organization of the University. All the delegates of the Conference unanimously condemned the adoption of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine's Order No. 111-p of 12 February 2025 due to its illegality, violation of the procedures for adopting and publishing of administrative acts; non-compliance with the requirements of proportionality and legal certainty, and the principle of autonomy of higher education institutions in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine did not hold any consultations and discussions with the University's self-government bodies, nor did it take into account the recommendations of the Accounting Chamber of 26.11.2024 No. 54-1 on the requirements for reforming higher education institutions.
The Ministry also failed to take into account the fact that the National University ‘Odesa Law Academy’ is one of the best classical higher education institutions not only in the Southern region, but also in Ukraine, according to the vast majority of objective indicators of educational and research activities, development of material and technical base, and student employment rate. Despite the demographic problems in the country, the University maintains a high number of students and continues to be a leader in the number of applicants every year.
The staff conference decided to prepare a draft appeal to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, and the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to help cancel the order. A commission was also set up to protect the labour and social rights of employees during the period of possible reorganization of the NU "OLA".
Due to the fact that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Order No. 111-p dated 12 February 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and given that the publication of the text of the Order was preceded by provocative and openly offensive statements by the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Oksen Lisovyi, the staff decided to prepare an appeal for his dismissal from his position.
A person who has never worked in the field of higher education governance, has no relevant professional skills, and was not even able to admit to scientific plagiarism without an expert examination, has no moral right to hold such a significant position and remain in the field of education. Barba non facit philosophum!
