Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General, have uncovered a scheme involving potential misappropriation of budgetary funds at a prominent Kyiv university.
The investigation focuses on the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (KNUCA). According to officials, university staff may have colluded with personnel from the Ministry of Education and Science to orchestrate an illegal scheme for misappropriating funds allocated under a government program aimed at training specialists in higher education institutions.
From 2022 to 2023, KNUCA reportedly received approximately 760 million UAH from the state budget through this program. The funding was determined based on data regarding student enrollment, academic staff, and the university’s staffing structure.
Investigators suspect that false information may have been submitted in official documents regarding the number of students and academic staff, which could have led to unjustified increases in funding. There are also allegations that individuals from a private institution, the Kyiv University of Culture (KUC), were improperly included in the university’s reports, despite not being eligible for participation in the budget program.
Preliminary findings suggest that these actions resulted in significant financial losses for the state. Authorities have indicated that some of the misappropriated funds may have been embezzled.
On March 27, law enforcement conducted over 20 searches at the university and the residences of individuals believed to be involved. Images released by the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Security Service suggest that the investigation may be linked to Mykhailo Poplavskyi, the long-time head and president of the university.
During the searches, authorities seized mobile phones, computer equipment, hard drives, and company seals that may contain evidence of illegal activities.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted under Article 191, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which addresses misappropriation, embezzlement, or acquisition of property through abuse of office. The penalties under this article can include up to 12 years of imprisonment with property confiscation.
Requests for comments have been sent to the Office of the Prosecutor General, KNUCA, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Distinction Between KNUCA and KUC
The Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (KNUCA) is a state institution with national status, funded by the state budget and participating in relevant budget programs, including those for specialist training.
In contrast, the Kyiv University of Culture (KUC) is a private educational institution that is not entitled to state funding under such programs.
Despite their differences, both universities are interconnected; they were founded and led for an extended period by Mykhailo Poplavskyi. Due to their similar names, shared history, and public positioning, they are often confused by prospective students and the media, although they are legally and financially distinct entities.
This is not the first time these institutions have faced scrutiny. In 2014, reports emerged regarding a scheme in which the private KUC allegedly utilized resources from the state KNUCA to educate contract students.
Students were enrolled at the private university but received instruction at the public university, using its facilities and faculty. Before graduation, they could be transferred to KNUCA to obtain their diplomas.
During an accreditation review, it was discovered that some addresses listed as KUC’s educational facilities were residential buildings. Reports also indicated the submission of false information regarding the institution’s activities.
In November 2014, the State Accreditation Commission revoked KUC’s license, prohibiting it from enrolling and educating students. Although the license was later reinstated and the case closed, the operations of both universities were formally delineated thereafter.
Ukrainian authorities are investigating alleged financial misconduct involving the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, focusing on possible collusion with the Ministry of Education. The inquiry follows claims of falsified enrollment data leading to significant state losses.