The University of Queensland has announced a comprehensive Integrity and Accountability Reform Program in the wake of last year’s allegations of misconduct and nepotism.

 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the move will strengthen the University’s overall governance framework.

 

“A review of key areas of the University has been underway since the very serious admission irregularity emerged last year,” Professor Terry said. 

 

“The reform program includes a review of all of the relevant policies and systems across the University; and input from a number of independent external parties including a leading Australian ethics centre, the CMC, and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). 

 

The university’s reform program will include:

  • More robust admissions rules and procedures, including an annual audit 
    report documenting all offers made under the authority of the Admission Rules that permit offers by exception 
  • Enhancement of the University's policies and processes to prevent potential conflicts of interest 
  • Strengthening organisational structures to support assurance, investigation and risk management 
  • A review of the University's processes and policies relating to the management and handling of misconduct and complaints, aligned with the CMC's quality audit processes 
  • A stronger working relationship with the CMC. This includes improved case monitoring and implementation of follow-up action overseen by a group comprising the Vice-Chancellor, Executive Director (Operations) and the Director, Assurance and Risk Management Services 
  • Commitment to ongoing preventative educational programs for all levels of University leadership 
  • Implementation of communication and organisational development initiatives to ensure the highest standards of accountability 
  • Review of internal culture in order to ensure a strong culture of integrity 
  • Regular updates to the relevant external bodies including the CMC and TEQSA 
  • Development of programs focused on ethics, accountability and integrity for the University's key decision makers. These will be developed in conjunction with a leading Australian ethics centre. 

 

Professor Terry said the reform process will include the provision of an Integrity and Accountability report that will be published by late 2012.