Spot the defrocked Professor and the Aerosud man?
Brig Gen (Ret) Johan Wesley (CSIR DPSS), Mr Steve
Giddings (AMTS), Dr Kashief Marcus (UCT), Mr Robert Reid
(Wits), Mr Johan Steyn (Aerosud), Dr Kamel Parker (AMTS)
and Prof Victor Verijenko (UKZN) at the 1st Annual
Aerospace Network Meeting.
Advanced Composites CRC
CRC for Advanced Composite Structures Ltd
June 2007
Newsletter
New Research & Technology Manager
Viktor Verijenko
Viktor graduated from Kiev Transport University in the
Ukraine in 1977 with a Masters degree specialising in
Structural Mechanics. He obtained his PhD in 1981 from
Kiev Civil Engineering Institute in the field of
application of numerical methods in structural
mechanics, and subsequently earned a Doctor of Science
degree in 1987 from Kiev Polytechnic Institute and State
University, with specialisation in Solid Mechanics
/Composite Materials. He was employed in a number of
aerospace engineering research projects. He became one
of the youngest Professors in his field in the former
Soviet Union.
In 1991, Viktor joined the University of Natal, in
Durban, South Africa. There he established a vibrant
research group in composites and created a Centre of
Composite and Smart Materials and Structures. He
undertook a number of large research projects related to
the application of composites and structural health
monitoring in areas such as
defense, mining,
civil engineering and transport.
He organised a successful series of biannual
International Conferences on Composite Science and
Technology in Durban beginning in 1996.
He supervised/co-supervised 20 PhDs and 23 MSc students
in the area of Composites and Structural Mechanics, and
authored/co-authored two books, more than 90 journal
papers and more than 100 conference papers, as well as
three patents and a number of educational booklets. He
was elected a Fellow of the University of Natal in 2001
in recognition of his outstanding research achievements,
and he held visiting positions in Japanese and French
Universities. While at the University of Natal Viktor
utilised his extensive international contacts to
establish co-operative research programs with
researchers from the US, France, Germany, and Poland.
Prior to joining the Composites CRC Viktor was the Head
of School of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the
Centre of Composite and Smart Materials and Structures,
and held the James Fulton Professor Chair at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal. In his almost 30-year
career, Viktor’s research interests have spanned
everything from finite element methods, theory of
laminated plates and shells, and mechanics of
composites, to coatings and structural health monitoring
systems.
While at the university, Verijenko entered into a R1,7-million contract with Armscor in November 1999 under the name of VE Verijenko Consultants.
As the DoD's Chief of Acquisitions and departmental head of the Defence Acquisitions and Projects Division DAPD, Chippy Shaik controlled all defence R&D funds and projects. He was appointed to the post in 1998 but earmarked for it much earlier.
Verijenko supervised/co-supervised 20 PhDs one of which was revoked by the university.
He supervised/co-supervised 20 PhDs another one of which was his student whom he married as his third wife..Chippy Shaik was the best man at the wedding.
He supervised/co-supervised 23 MSc students one of which was a student in his department whom he married as his third wife. She was in her twenties and he was in his fifties.
Allegations that Chippy Shaik's degree was plagiarised are "defamatory and no more than a vulgar attempt to embarrass me and my esteemed colleague (Prof Sarp Adali) as well as smear the name of my ex-student".
That is the word from Prof Viktor Verijenko, the outgoing head of the School of Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, amid claims he helped Shamin "Chippy" Shaik obtain his doctorate.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-167098898.html
There was talk of him going on sabbatical in Russia, they said, or taking a job in the US. There were hints he was unhappy with “politics” in the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Others say he has fled the country.
The professor’s growing wealth and access to good research funding didn’t score him points with many of his less fortunate colleagues.
Neither did arriving at work in a Porsche, living with his wife and three-year-old son in a luxury flat in Durban’s prestigious Umhlanga Rocks, and fraternising with wealthy Durban businessmen.
www.sundaytimes.co.za
"They (the Verijenkos) are presently in Perth, Australia, and it is unlikely they will return.
When news of the plagiarism allegations broke in the national media that May, both Verijenko and his wife immediately resigned from their posts by email from Australia. "
http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=vn20080318062314611C618206
Not actually immediately, only when there was no way out and no way back.
With acknowledgements to Advanced Composites CRC.