Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has ignited controversy with its decision to implement 270 job cuts in Northern Ireland while planning to open a new campus in India. The university aims to address a financial deficit of over £11 million for the fiscal year 2024-25 by offering voluntary redundancy to affected staff. This deficit represents more than 5% of QUB's workforce. Simultaneously, QUB is investing between £5 million and £7 million in a new campus at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India, scheduled to open next year. The new campus will focus on five postgraduate programs specifically designed for the Indian economy.
QUB's financial challenges are reflective of broader issues within the UK's higher education sector, compounded by a sharp decline in international students and a cap on the number of home students allowed in Northern Ireland universities. Despite receiving significant funding from Stormont, which accounts for more than 50% of its budget, the university is struggling to balance its finances. This financial strain has compelled QUB to explore international opportunities to diversify its income streams.
The University and College Union (UCU) has criticized the university's decision, labeling it as "scandalous." Jo Grady, UCU's general secretary, expressed outrage at the university's actions, emphasizing that public funds are being used to support redundancies while creating employment abroad.
"It is scandalous that QUB is putting massive amounts of money into a new campus halfway round the world all the while axing jobs in Belfast." – Jo Grady, UCU general secretary
The UCU has described the planned redundancies as "brutal and unnecessary," raising concerns over the severance process, which requires applicants to outline how their duties will be redistributed among remaining colleagues or suppressed.
QUB's acting chief people officer, Alistair Finlay, defended the university's actions, citing efforts made to engage with trade unions and communicate the financial realities driving these decisions.
"We have done everything we can to engage with the trade unions in this whole discussion so that everybody can understand what is driving this but we need to balance our income." – Alistair Finlay, QUB acting chief people officer
The university argues that the new campus will reinforce partnerships and create opportunities for innovation with local industry and government sectors in both India and Northern Ireland.
"reinforce partnerships and opportunities for innovation with local industry, government and business sectors across India and Northern Ireland" – QUB
The postgraduate programs offered at the Indian campus aim to cater specifically to the economic needs of India.
"tailored to the specific needs of the Indian economy" – QUB
