Dismissal of Rector at Lower Austria University of Education

The Rector of the Lower Austria University of Education has been dismissed amid serious allegations of misconduct. The Ministry of Education announced the immediate termination of the rector's position following claims that falsified courses were recorded in the university's administrative system, PH-Online, and that payments were made to faculty members for these non-existent courses.

Since 2006, the rector had served as the founding leader of the institution based in Baden. The decision for the rector's dismissal was prompted by accusations that carry significant legal implications, both in terms of employment and potential criminal charges. Reports indicate that this misconduct had led to financial disbursements to faculty personnel that would not have occurred under proper legal procedures, resulting in payments of approximately EUR32,000 over a two-year period.

The rector's attorney has called the allegations unfounded and claimed that the dismissal is excessive and legally questionable, asserting that there was no intent to cause harm. Further, the attorney criticized the process, stating that the rector was not given the opportunity to defend himself against the accusations in front of the Minister of Education.

An internal audit conducted in June revealed that no criminal activities were identified, and it was suggested that the additional work performed by faculty members related to public relations and social media management should instead be compensated through contractual agreements rather than through fictitious course listings. The audit report recommended that a written reprimand be issued as a disciplinary action against individuals involved in the misconduct, which includes not only faculty members but also departmental heads and the rectorate.

Moreover, investigations suggested that the practice of recording fictitious courses could be a widespread issue across other educational institutions. As a result, a comprehensive review of all universities of education has been recommended to address similar concerns.