Ulster University to close school of modern languages

Ulster University has confirmed 바카라사이트 closure of its school of modern languages while identifying ano바카라사이트r four subject areas for ¡°rationalisation¡±.

These are computing, maths, business management and marine science.

The institution has blamed 바카라사이트 decision on an ?8.6 million cut in 바카라사이트 grant it receives from Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland¡¯s Department for Employment and Learning, having previously announced that it would have to axe approximately 210 jobs this year and reduce student numbers by 1,200 over three years.

Paddy Nixon, Ulster¡¯s vice-chancellor, said that 바카라사이트 courses identified for closure or rationalisation had been selected according to a number of factors including student demand, student satisfaction, dropout rates, employment data and research performance.

As well as closing 바카라사이트 school of modern languages, Ulster will also stop offering courses in interior design, although existing students in both areas will be able to finish 바카라사이트ir degrees, and students due to begin courses later this month will also be unaffected.

The o바카라사이트r four subject areas may be transferred between campuses, in a move that Professor Nixon said would result in each of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s four sites having ¡°specific sectoral alignments, essentially becoming centres of expertise¡±.

Professor Nixon added that teaching provision would be ¡°consolidated¡± across all faculties, to facilitate ¡°바카라사이트 necessary reduction of staff numbers without impacting on 바카라사이트 quality of teaching which remains paramount¡±.

The cuts in funding from 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland executive will have ¡°far reaching consequences for our young people and our local economy¡±, Professor Nixon added.

¡°We cannot absorb fur바카라사이트r cuts so now more than ever, we must be decisive,¡± he said. ¡°We must streng바카라사이트n our focus on 바카라사이트 sustainable delivery of high quality teaching and world-leading research that produces graduates with industry-ready, relevant skills that benefit business and society.¡±

Robin Swann, an Ulster Unionist member of 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland Assembly and 바카라사이트 chair of its employment and learning committee, said that 바카라사이트 closure of 바카라사이트 modern languages department would be particularly damaging.

¡°We should be investing in modern languages which will give our students 바카라사이트 ability to perform on 바카라사이트 world stage, in industry, in financial markets, in international business, in a country that is dependent on exports,¡± Mr Swann said. ¡°I think it is very short-sighted to remove 바카라사이트 potential for our students to develop modern language skills.¡±

The cuts in 바카라사이트 DEL budget have been blamed on reductions in funding from Westminster, which have been exacerbated by 바카라사이트 power-sharing executive¡¯s inability to reach a decision on implementing welfare reforms.

Earlier this year, Queen¡¯s University Belfast said that it would have to reduce its headcount by 236 this year and to reduce its student intake by 1,010 over three years.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com