A number of irregularities have been reported at the University of Luxembourg in recent months, including a poor work environment, and criticism of internal procedures.
"One way or another, an audit [of the university's governance] is coming", Minister of Digitalisation and Higher Education Stéphanie Obertin promised on Thursday.
On Monday, it was reported that the Ministry was still yet to receive any offers after putting the audit out to tender a second time. As for legal adaptations, there will be two stages, as well as consultations with people on the ground.
A number of irregularities have surfaced at the university in recent months. Rumours abound of a poor work environment, and criticisms of internal procedures for nominations or projects have been voiced. While there have been some internal changes to address the issues, further adaptations are on the horizon.
The university has requested its own audit, which is in the process of completion, while the government is insistent it will carry out a second, complementary audit of its own, to identify what areas of the university's legal framework need to be addressed.
But this exercise takes time, and Obertin announced there would be two stages. The second will implement any potential recommendations from the audit, while the first phase will introduce the government's own programme "in due course".
This involves selected programmes to be recognised or accredited by the university, or a new Educational School that will train teachers for primary school, and the long-awaited expansion of medical studies.
The government programme is one thing, governance is another. To introduce potential reforms, Obertin has announced consultations with people on the ground, in addition to the audits.
She does not want to judge this ahead of time, because in her eyes "everyone" should be able to express their opinion.
The rector of the University of Luxembourg will be out of office by the end of next year. Jens Kreisel himself announced earlier this year that he will not seek another term.
Obertin said she trusts the current procedure for finding a new rector. A neutral panel of experts will draw up a profile.
Obertin also said she did not know why the call to tender had been unsuccessful a second time in finding an auditor for the job.
Feedback received following the initial call for expressions of interest indicated where potential problems might lie. After the specifications were adjusted, however, no one came forward.
Obertin declined to reveal which audit firms the Ministry of Higher Education had approached, though she did highlight the importance of quality and neutrality, noting that the selected firm would be based abroad.
