By Lea Laursen Pasgaard, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Aalborg University (AAU) acted in a timely and correct manner as part of the university's follow-up on the financial irregularities at AAU Business School (AAUBS). This is the conclusion of an investigation of the proceedings at AAU that the National Audit Office last year asked the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science to perform as a supervisory authority.

In the wake of the AAUBS case, the university has tightened its procedures for approving expenses for work-related travel, conferences, etc.

"We have thoroughly overhauled our checking procedures to ensure that we can have full confidence in our financial practices and checking systems. I am pleased that the Agency agrees that the new procedures are sufficient," says University Director Søren Lind Christiansen.

The travel office checks senior management's travel expenses

It has been decided that going forward AAU's travel office will check all travel and expenses for managers at levels 1-3, which covers the Executive Management, heads of department, vice heads of department, vice deans and vice directors. Until now, the travel office has only been responsible for reasonableness checks and spot checks. The increased checking ensures independent additional approval where no errors of judgement occur due to cross-pressure between the head of the unit and the unit's travel approver.

Travel over seven days now requires a budget and written pre-approval

In addition, it has been decided that trips of more than seven days must now be approved in writing by the traveller's immediate superior, and a budget must be made for the trip. This rule ensures documentation of the official purpose of the trip and ensures that expectations are aligned in terms of acceptable travel expenses for the purpose of the trip.

Amounts over DKK 10,000 require written pre-approval

In addition, the existing rule for pre-approval of so-called order elements over DKK 10,000 has been tightened. By order elements we mean one-off costs, e.g. flight, hotel or other expenses associated with the trip.

The Agency was informed about the revised checking procedures and in its investigation deemed that university's checking procedures sufficient. The Agency has informed the National Audit Office that, based on its investigation, it will not take any further action in the matter.