ISM rector says dissertation discussion aims to damage prime minister’s reputation

Lithuania’s ISM University of Management and Economics rector Dalius Misiūnas has stated that the public discussion surrounding Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius’s 2015 dissertation is an attempt to harm his reputation, LRT reports.

Sinkevičius, who was mayor of Jonava at the time, earned his doctorate from ISM with a thesis on factors influencing alcohol consumption. The dissertation was only available in physical libraries until recently, when it was uploaded to the university’s electronic database following public scrutiny.

Vytautas Magnus University docent Ignas Kalpokas noted that the lack of accessibility had fueled intrigue. After the dissertation became public, its content was analysed online, with Kalpokas describing it as a “formal” work that compiled existing theories but lacked ambition in original research.

Misiūnas argued that the current debate is politically motivated rather than academic. “It is clear that an attempt is being made to damage the reputation of a person holding a high office, 10 years after the defence,” he said. He acknowledged that the work could be examined academically but emphasised that such reviews should follow proper procedures, not public speculation.

A complaint alleging possible plagiarism in Sinkevičius’s dissertation has been filed with the university’s academic ethics and procedures controller and forwarded to ISM for review. Some researchers and specialists have already used AI tools to analyse the text, claiming multiple sections may contain plagiarism.

Misiūnas noted that AI tools, which were unavailable a decade ago, now allow for broader interpretation and analysis of academic works. Sinkevičius maintains that he wrote the dissertation himself and defended it publicly, expressing confidence that any investigation would conclude favourably.

Academic standards require originality and novelty, as explained by Lithuanian Academy of Sciences President Vytautas Nekrošius. These criteria are assessed through a multi-stage review process, including evaluations by supervisors, department discussions, and expert reviews before the defence committee.

Sinkevičius’s dissertation supervisor was Vilnius University Professor Sigitas Urbonavičius, who is currently on leave and unavailable for comment. The defence committee was chaired by ISM Professor Ilona Bučiūnienė.