Two young scientists in Tartu University are suspected of large-scale fraud involving EU aid funds, reports Eesti Päevaleht.
The investigation into the dealing of Viljar Veebel who is a lecturer of the University’s Institute of Public Sciences and Ulrika Hurt who is former project manager of the University’s Europe College was opened by Volli Kalm shortly after he became the new rector of Tartu University.
The prosecutor’s office has also opened a criminal investigation. Veebel told Eesti Päevaleht daily yesterday that they both deny any wrongdoing. It is namely claimed that over several years the two scientists have taken out large amounts of money for own purposes from a program that injects EU funds into higher education.
The program in question is BeSt that focuses on developing new e-study courses. It is managed by the Archimedes Foundation and helps university lecturers to reimburse certain costs. Initial reports show that the two scientists have applied and received more than 60,000 euros in funding from the program without justification.
Toomas Hõbemägi
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