Reference no: EM132893885

Professor James Adjei was Coordinator of MBA Finance at the School of Graduate studies of the University of Professional Studies, Accra. During the admissions process for the 2017/2018 academic year, his wife applied and gained admission to pursue MBA Finance at the same school. During the course of her studies, her husband facilitated the teaching and learning as well as the administration of all end of semester examinations for the programme.

Unknown to the Management of the University, Mrs. Adjei enrolled and eventually graduated as the best graduating student among her cohorts. When Management of the University received information about this unusual development, they instituted a comprehensive systems audit and an investigation into the circumstances leading to the eventual emergence of Mrs. Cate Adjei as the best graduating student on the programme.
Professor Adjei was granted full hearing to explain what transpired during the period of the wife's studies. He defended that he worked according to his conscience and swore that never at any point did he breach the ethical code or compromised the policy of the university to favour the wife. The outcome of the investigation was an outright dismissal of Professor Adjei from the service of the University.

Questions

a) Explain what is meant by Conflict of Interest and describe at what point there would have been potential, apparent and real Conflict of Interest on the part of Prof. Adjei

b) In your opinion, how different should Prof Adjei have managed this situation.

c) What could have accounted for the decision by the University to dismiss Prof Adjei?