Rouyn-Noranda | A former UQAT professor arrested for fraud and extortion

A former engineering professor at the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) was arrested this week because he allegedly “used stratagems” to obtain scholarship money intended for foreign students that he supervised, announces the Anti-Corruption Commissioner (CLCC).

René Wamkeue was arrested for fraud, secret commissions and extortion. He had been the subject of an arrest warrant since September, but was outside the country. The Canada Border Services Agency helped police catch him as soon as he set foot in Canada.

“While he was a full professor in engineering at UQAT, between 2010 and 2017, Mr. Wamkeue allegedly used stratagems to obtain scholarship amounts intended for foreign master’s and doctoral students whom he supervised and directed. », writes the CLCC in a press release issued Thursday morning.

Mr. Wamkeue was fired by the university in 2018 because his employer discovered “serious and significant irregularities in the support provided [aux] master’s and doctoral students,” according to court documents filed with the Administrative Labor Court.

“Extremely difficult” living conditions

At the time, the rector of UQAT listed a series of serious misconduct discovered as part of an internal investigation before the dismissal. The professor thus allegedly lied to students about the amounts of scholarships that would be granted to them, he allegedly lied to the Ministry of Immigration about the amounts of scholarships granted to the students he supervised, he allegedly demanded that students pay him a rebate on the amount of their scholarship and he would have unduly authorized the granting of a scholarship to his son.

The rector’s letter also accused him of having intimidated students and of having “ignored the extremely difficult living conditions of certain students, and demanded that they pursue work in order to benefit from it.”

The accused was released on a promise to appear on February 13 at the Rouyn-Noranda courthouse.

The Anti-Corruption Commissioner (CLCC) coordinates the investigation and verification teams designated by the government which form the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC).