Cancelled Master's Thesis of Transitional Leader Ignites Conflict Between Aden and Hadramout Universities

The issue of a cancelled master’s thesis by a leader in the Transitional Council sparked a fierce conflict between the universities of Aden and Hadramout, after the University of Aden decided to prevent a faculty member from supervising master’s and doctoral theses.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Hadhramout University Faculty Union announced a comprehensive boycott of Aden University, in response to the latter’s decision to prevent Dr. Khaled Mohammed Al-Jabri from participating in supervising and discussing postgraduate theses.

This decision came against the backdrop of a scientific scandal related to the master's thesis that the University of Aden awarded to the leader of the Transitional Council, Abdul Raouf Zain Al-Saqqaf, the assistant deputy governor of Aden, as it was later revealed that the thesis was completely stolen from another student, which caused a great uproar in academic and media circles.

Based on this, Aden University decided to withdraw the thesis and impose sanctions on the supervisors and examiners, including Dr. Khaled Al-Jaberi, who was the external supervisor.

In response, the Hadhramout University Syndicate held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the decision of Aden University, and decided to call on all its members not to participate in any supervision, conferences, arbitration, or publishing of scientific journals at Aden University until it apologizes to Dr. Al-Jabri.

The union denounced what it described as the negligence of the relevant authorities at Aden University, such as the deans of colleges, heads of departments, and academic plan acceptance committees, accusing them of trying to find a "scapegoat" to cover up for the people involved in the stolen thesis scandal.

The Hadhramout University Faculty Union called on the Ministry of Higher Education and the Presidency of Aden University to cancel the decision taken against Dr. Al-Jabri, and to restore his reputation and the reputation of Hadhramout University.