March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada
Our shared responsibility to recognize, reject and report fraud
March is Fraud Prevention Month, an annual campaign that reinforces the importance for all community members to recognize, reject and report fraudulent activity.
Fraud and financial irregularities can pose substantial risks to any organization, including universities. The University of Manitoba relies on public funds, tuition revenue from students, and donations from benefactors, and therefore has a critical obligation to ensure the responsible stewardship of these resources.
Understanding the Importance of Fraud Prevention
UM has established a comprehensive Fraud and Financial Irregularity Reporting Policy that applies to all faculty, staff, students, Board of Governors members, consultants, vendors, donors, and funders. Please read the policy, which underscores our commitment to accountability and integrity and aims to protect the university’s funds and property.
“Fraud Prevention Month is an opportunity for the university community to affirm its commitment to upholding the highest standard of honesty, ethical conduct and fiduciary responsibility,” says Naomi Andrew, Vice-President (Administration). “We want to ensure that everyone in our community is equipped with the knowledge and tools to recognize, reject, and report fraud.”
Call to Action: Be Informed and Take Action
The university encourages everyone in the community to complete the Financial Stewardship & Ethical Conduct course available on UM Learn. This course, which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, provides valuable insights into recognizing and reporting fraud and financial irregularities.
Remember, “If you see something, say something.”
If you suspect any fraudulent activities or financial irregularities, please use the university’s confidential online reporting tool. This tool is regularly reviewed by Audit Services to ensure that all reports are managed promptly and appropriately.
Financial Stewardship & Ethical Conduct Course Details
- Go to UM Learn and log in using your UM email address and password.
- Select the waffle menu (a square made up of nine dots located near the top of the screen) and find the course.
- Select the course from the waffle dropdown menu by clicking on it. Most users have been automatically registered in the course, which means the course will appear in the dropdown menu.
If you have any questions about the Policy, course, or reporting tool, please email Audit Services at audit.services@umanitoba.ca.
Or, visit the Audit Services website for more information.