This week, the faculty board of the University of Twente's S&T Faculty held talks with employees who will be directly affected by the consequences of the faculty reorganisation. In those talks, they explained in more detail the choices made in the reorganisation plan and the consequences for employees.
63 employees were personally informed, as they are directly affected by the reorganisation. Of these, 47 have been told that they are threatened with dismissal. As UT, we do our utmost to support them during this challenging period. Given the possible changes in the organisation, further consideration will be given to what is needed to ensure the continuity of education within the faculty in the coming period.
In September last year, the faculty board announced a reorganisation. The faculty was already facing a multi-year budget deficit, and the board noted that a structural deficit of more than 7 million would remain if no adjustments were made to the organisation.
In recent months, the reorganisation plan was drawn up, outlining the strategic choices necessary to strengthen and sustain the faculty in the long term. This plan has been discussed with the S&T Faculty Council and the Executive Board, both of which have approved it.
The faculty is choosing to sharpen its education and research profile. The application areas of health, climate, energy, water, and chip technology are central to this. More than before, education and research are seen as intertwined activities. The faculty is also adjusting the balance between support staff (OBP) and academic staff (WP).
Later this month, a faculty-wide meeting will follow, during which the faculty board will share the progress of the reorganisation and the choices made with all S&T staff.
