Dundee's End, Edinburgh's Edge

Following a three-week strike by lecturers, Dundee University announced plans to cut up to 632 jobs, representing approximately 20% of its total workforce. The university justified the drastic measures by citing a projected £30 million deficit. Staff representatives have criticized the university's financial management, accusing them of diverting funds intended for academic purposes to commercial ventures that have failed. They also point to excessive spending on consultants and senior management salaries. The University and College Union (UCU) branch at Dundee University has vowed to fight the proposed job cuts, arguing that they will severely impact the quality of education and research. They highlight the already heavy workloads of existing staff and the potential for increased student-staff ratios. The UCU also questions the accuracy of the projected deficit, suggesting it may be inflated. The announcement has triggered widespread anger and anxiety among staff and students, who fear a significant decline in the university's reputation and academic standards. The potential job losses encompass both academic and support staff, impacting various departments and services across the university. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/03/btvl-a03.html