University of Dundee to axe 195 jobs

Job losses are expected to affect all four of Dundee’s colleges, and are intended to save £8 million a year, the university says in a statement.

A further £1.5 million of savings not related to salaries is also proposed.

A voluntary redundancy scheme, open to all staff, has been launched. Although the university hopes the cuts can be achieved “primarily through natural turnover of staff and voluntary means”, it is not ruling out compulsory redundancies “as a last resort”.

The job losses were announced after the conclusion of the university’s strategic review, launched in 2009.

The University and College Union pledged to fight any compulsory redundancies. It accused the university of a “cynical attempt to hide bad news” by releasing its statement at the same time as the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Mary Senior, Scottish official with the University and College Union, said: “There is no financial or academic need for the proposed cuts given the university’s current position. Plans to sack staff would jeopardise the university’s proud international reputation, and we will oppose any compulsory redundancies. The job losses at Dundee are not due to financial constraints.”

Pete Downes, principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee, said: “This is about reprioritising our activities to enable us to invest in those areas that will deliver excellence and impact. At the same time, we have to establish the future financial sustainability of the university, and we have been working especially closely with the colleges and services to identify where savings can be made.”

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com