Swinney optimistic over Dundee University’s future despite ‘uncertainty’
John Swinney has said he is “optimistic” for Dundee University – despite accepting that staff there are facing “enormous uncertainty”.
The university has announced more than 700 staff could lose their jobs as the institution struggles to deal with a £35 million deficit.
Mr Swinney, speaking in the city, highlighted the “significant unease and anxiety” there is at the insitution.
But speaking at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) annual congress, the First Minister said: “I am optimistic we will be able to chart a course for the university that will secure that future and give the necessary confidence to this city that it deserves and requires.”
The SNP leader used his speech to the STC to “make it crystal clear that the Scottish Government recognises the economic significance of the University of Dundee to this city and to Scotland”.
He highlighted the “enormous academic and technical strength of the university” and its connection to the health service through “important research work undertaken on life sciences”.
Stressing the Scottish Government is “working very assertively on all of this” he said the Scottish Funding Council was collaborating with Dundee University leaders “to develop a plan that will protect and secure the future of the University of Dundee”.
Mr Swinney insisted: “We need to make that happen, for the staff, for the students, for the community of Dundee.”
The First Minister gave his “solemn pledge” that the Scottish Government “will make sure that is the focus of all we do to protect the University of Dundee”.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC), the body responsible for university funding in Scotland, has already announced an investigation – to be led by former Glasgow Caledonian University principal Professor Pamela Gillies – which will seek to determine the causes and contributing factors behind the deterioration of the university’s finances.
Meanwhile, former Dundee University principal, Sir Alan Langlands, has been named as the chairman of a new taskforce set up to help the cash-strapped institution.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced earlier this month that he is to head the University of Dundee strategic advisory taskforce, saying at the time the body was being established to ensure the university has “all the important advice and expertise needed to recover and build a strong, secure and sustainable future”.
