Western Mail Universities need to act fast to survive

CARDIFF University bosses have promised no compulsory redundancies in another round of staff restructuring announced. Voluntary redundancy will be offered under changes proposed for nonacademic staff.

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‘The university insists these changes are not about cost-cutting. Nonetheless, it is facing a large financial black hole, with the finances of all universities under severe pressure. And 187 academic staff remain in scope for redundancy, with bosses saying they cannot rule out compulsory job losses among that group.

‘This latest announcement means yet more uncertainty for staff in already unsettling times.

Universities are facing a generational change. Attitudes towards the price and value of degrees, as well as rising costs and falling income, are having an impact which cannot be ignored.