Hanxin Zhao, a PhD candidate from TU Delft, the Netherlands. After 6 years of efforts, with 4 top-tier (Q1-ranked) papers published in the field, the academic level that few PhDs at the TPM faculty can reach, shockingly, he obtained no PhD degree but a termination - which was a retaliation from the PhD supervisor (Prof. Zofia Lukszo). Hanxin's academic transcript (course credits) was also withheld which has blocked his PhD transferred to other places, although he has finished all doctoral courses. This event reveals the appalling abuse of power, corruption and discrimination on a Chinese student at TU Delft. (Hanxin Zhao's paper publications on Google Scholar, PhD scandal posted on Youtube video1​, video2)

The PhD supervisor on purpose delayed the student's PhD for 2 years with bullying, coercion, fraud activities, forcing him to work for her own interests, although he was self-funded. When Hanxin requested to change supervisors, the professor promised to approve his PhD thesis in 2-3 weeks. However, after getting his important academic results and full version of PhD thesis, she suddenly decided to terminate his PhD with baseless ground - 'failure to reach the minimum graduation requirement'. While she approved another non-Chinese student to graduate with only 1 low-ranking (Q3-ranked) journal paper published. The whole process turned out to be a fraud. To terminate Hanxin's PhD, she even fabricated stories and defamed Hanxin in the letter to TU Delft, and advised the university not to give the student any chance (e.g. changing supervisors).

Hanxin reported the stalking and trespass on his home that he experienced in 2024 after he was forced to leave the Netherlands by the co-supervisor, but still chose to stay to finish his PhD. Particularly a threatening letter was found in his home. All these criminal activities seem to force him to leave the country to avoid damage to Prof. Zofia Lukszo's profile and keep silent to the PhD scandal.

The event is a shocking scandal and shame of doctoral education worldwide. It's appalling to see a PhD supervisor tried to block his/her student's further success in the research field by terminating the student's PhD, after getting the student's 6 years of efforts (important academic results and full version of PhD thesis). TU Delft apparently indulged the PhD supervisor. For the justice, we demand:

1. A thorough investigation on misconduct of this PhD supervisor, etc. at TU Delft: the indulgence for those massive abuse of power, the illegal and even criminal activities are highly risky and toxic to other students and employees! There must be a thorough investigation to avoid further disasters, and inform the public about the results!
2. Equal standard for PhD degree granting and treatment: The PhD supervisor must justify why she approved the PhD thesis and graduation of another student (non-Chinese) who only got 1 low-ranking paper published, while decided to terminate Hanxin's PhD for failing to reach her graduation requirement after getting his academic results, despite of 4 top-tier papers published. The serious double-standard, discrimination and academic corruption/fraud are intolerable. Also, without showing the university's graduation standard, the termination is unconvincing, also illegal, and therefore shall be withdrawn.