20 October 2010

Strategic Review - update

A strategic review of the activities of the University of Dundee has proposed key areas of development while also delivering potential savings of between 10% and 12%.

The Strategic Review was launched in late 2009 to establish the future direction of the institution, identifying where the University can make significant improvements to the delivery of the objectives of excellence, impact and focus, whilst at the same time improving financial stability.

A paper to be submitted to the University Court proposes changes in the structure and delivery of various programmes across all four colleges in the University.

It also identifies an overall reduction in staff numbers of up to 195 posts - across all four Colleges and university-wide support services - which could generate annual savings of £8million. An additional £1.5million of savings in non-pay services has also been proposed. These figures are consistent with forecasts made earlier this year.

The University has already launched a voluntary severance scheme, open to all staff. It is hoped that savings can be achieved primarily through natural turnover of staff and voluntary means. Compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out, but would only be used as a last resort.

'The Strategic Review was initially developed last year and has since been out for consultation following which the finalised plans are now being presented to Court,' said Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee.

'Consultation has been wide-ranging and has led to significant improvements in the proposals. The paper to Court includes a number of exciting new developments including the creation of a School of the Environment, a School of Business, and increased focus on areas of excellence across the University.

'This is about reprioritising our activities to enable us to invest in those areas which 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.

'The entire Higher Education sector is working against a backdrop of potentially considerable reductions in core funding. The extent of this will become clearer following the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and the subsequent setting of a Budget by the Scottish Government, and we must plan accordingly.

'The severity of cuts in core funding may force us, and the sector, to look beyond this review and at more radical proposals.'

The Strategic Review paper will be considered by Court at its meeting on Monday October 25th.

You can view the Strategic Review paper at the Principal's Office webpage.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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