Esther Roberton, Chair of Court, updated today that the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has now written to confirm its formal offer of up to £40 million additional grant funding to the University over the next two years.
In the email, Esther Roberton states that:
“We have now formally replied to the SFC to confirm that we will comply with SFC’s Financial Memorandum, the conditions of funding and requirements of the grant, and the monitoring and evaluation requirements as outlined in the offer of and conditions of grant.”
The University Court has also completed the approval process of an additional £12 million loan from SFC, which brings us a step closer to financial sustainability.
Future Action
The full letter, which confirms the conditions of the additional funding, outlines steps that the University will have to take in the future. It states that:
“UoD must prepare an implementation plan by 30 June 2026, setting out milestones against which progress in implementing the Strategy to Recovery will be monitored. The implementation plan should reference the workforce plan which supports the Strategy to Recovery and the Academic Operating Model.”
The workforce plan contains evidence of staff engagement, detailing the rationale for the future size and shape of the University and how the future staffing structure will support the University.
On the other hand, the Academic Operating Model will identify UoD’s key strengths and offerings, including teaching and research and the impact on the curriculum and students during the planning and implementation period.
One of the conditions by the SFC is to develop a Longer-Term Strategy, to be produced by 31 July 2027. The strategy must have credible engagement with staff and students, so you can expect to fill out a lot of surveys in the future.
On a positive note, the letter states that the University must not begin a compulsory redundancy process, which means that staff’s contracts cannot be terminated due to the University’s financial circumstances.
The SFC has also requested to come and speak to the University Court directly regarding the funding and conditions, which facilitated during the April meeting.
This is a breaking news story; further announcements will be provided as and when received.
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