UQ’s Reform Program is working

The University of Queensland’s new Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj says that the review of a past investigation involving the dental school shows that the Integrity and Accountability Reform Program is working.

“In 2010, the University began investigating a complaint in relation to a course in the dental school. The investigation found material reasons for concern. Disciplinary actions followed, the Crime and Misconduct Commission was advised, and the complainant was informed of the investigation’s outcomes.”

The CMC wrote and advised UQ that it had no further requirement of the University in relation to this matter.

“Staff have been consistently encouraged to approach us with any concerns as part of UQ’s 2012 Reform Program. This prompted the original complainant on the issue to come forward again directly to the then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry," Professor Høj said.

“In light of the information provided, Professor Terry decided to request a review of the investigation and advised both the complainant and the CMC of this course of action.

“This review was the first task of our recently appointed Associate Director, Investigations, Mr David Lavell, who has already had a detailed meeting with the complainant and the review is now well underway.

“At the time of the investigation, and subsequently, UQ wrote to Medicare twice to determine whether the bulk billing arrangements in place were appropriate. As no response had been received, Mr Lavell contacted the Medicare Integrity Unit to follow up and resent copies of the letters to the Medicare.”

Professor Høj says UQ is very confident that the Reform Program will be a cornerstone of an enhanced culture of integrity at UQ.

He is looking forward to having UQ’s talented staff contribute further to passing on advantages to Queensland that flow from being part of a top 100 global university, with more than 200,000 alumni and innovations such as the development of a cancer vaccine that now will benefit millions of people.

Media: Fiona Kennedy (07 3365 1384, 0413 380 012 or f.kennedy@uq.edu.au) or Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3346 7887, 0413 601 248 or t.taylor@uq.edu.au).