Fraser urges swift end to UQ scandal

The University of Queensland is at the centre of a Crime and Misconduct Commission probe.

The University of Queensland is at the centre of a Crime and Misconduct Commission probe. Photo: Glen Hunt

Queensland Acting Premier Andrew Fraser has urged the state’s oldest university to act swiftly on an enrolment scandal for the good of the economy.

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Paul Greenfield and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Michael Keniger are leaving their posts after a probe found irregularities in the enrolment of a student known to them.

It reportedly found no evidence of misconduct against Prof Greenfield or Prof Keniger, but their resignations were accepted anyway.

Professor Paul Greenfield.

Professor Paul Greenfield. Photo: UQ

The Crime and Misconduct Commission is investigating a second favouritism allegation at the institution.

Mr Fraser said the university’s reputation was important to the state’s economy, due to the large number of overseas students it attracted.

‘‘We find a close correlation between our major trading partners and the markets for overseas students, particularly in places like China and India and into the future, Latin America,’’ he told reporters in Brisbane on Monday.

‘‘This is something that’s important for us as a state and for the state’s economy.

‘‘This is something the university needs to act on and act on quickly and smartly, to ensure that damage is limited.’’

The university’s executive director of operations, Maurie McNarn, on Monday told ABC Radio a number of new safeguards had been adopted for student enrolments.

Mr McNarn told ABC Radio that Prof Greenfield had ordered an external barrister to probe the irregular enrolment as soon as it was reported and had promptly offered to stand down.

He also confirmed the CMC was investigating the university.

The Courier-Mail newspaper reported the probe relates to the unusual enrolment to the school of dentistry of a student related to a university academic.

Any other university would have accepted Prof Greenfield’s resignation, Mr McNarn said.

‘‘We move without any hesitation and, it doesn’t matter who’s involved at the end of the day. If we don’t, then we imperil our reputation,’’ he said.

Mr McNarn said both men had made ‘‘massive’’ contributions to the university over more than 30 years.

‘‘They’ve paid an extraordinarily high price for this issue,’’ he said.

The independent report was released to the CMC as part of its probe, but would not be released publicly, Mr McNarn said.

‘‘Parents or students could not get a more stark indication of how seriously we take any change or deviation from the integrity of our academic system,’’ he said.

Mr McNarn said reports the relaxation of entry standards had resulted in ‘‘dozens’’ of students being allowed into the course were ‘‘nonsense’’, saying it had affected only one other student.

Prof Keniger is expected to leave the university in December, while Prof Greenfield has reportedly been allowed stay until his 65th birthday in May 2012.

Opposition attorney-general spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said the Liberal National Party believed the full circumstances of the allegations at the university should be published and accountable.

AAP

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