MyGlasgow News

The way in which central services are organised is to change. From 1 August University Services will be restructured into eight directorates. The intention is to provide a more focussed, streamlined service that will be better able to support and help implement the University’s overall strategy. The directorates will be as follows:

1. Human Resources

   Which will remain largely unchanged.

2. Estates & Commercial Services

   This service began restructuring earlier this year with the amalgamation of two formerly stand-alone departments.

3. Information Services

   This will combine the Library and IT Services, and will be focussed on the implementation of a coherent information strategy, the provision of user-centric services for students and staff, the provision of first-class learning spaces and the optimal use of enterprise systems and technology as a whole.

4. Student & Academic Services

   This new directorate will bring together the current Student Services team, most of the Senate Office functions and the Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Service; it will also lead on relations with the student bodies and will have responsibility for student mobility (with the exception of Study Abroad function). Student & Academic Services will provide professional support for the relevant Vice Principals.

5. External Relations

   The External Relations directorate will take in the existing MARIO team, the Development and Alumni Office and Open Studies. This new directorate will work closely with the Communications and Public Affairs Office, and with Planning and Business intelligence – both of which will remain in the Strategy and Planning directorate.

6. Research & Innovation

   The Research Services directorate will provide high-level support to the VPs for Research and Innovation & Knowledge Exchange. It will be key to the development of strategy and policy and will support preparation for the next REF as well as continued growth of research income.

7. Finance

   The Finance function will remain largely as is.

8. Strategy & Planning

   The eighth directorate will cover strategic planning, business intelligence, governance, compliance, communications and public affairs. This directorate will work closely with, and support, the Principal, Senior Vice-Principal and other senior officers in developing strategy.

The Director of the Hunterian Museum will continue to report directly to the Chief Operating Officer, Dr David Duncan.

Dr Duncan outlined the reasons behind the changes: "The University of Glasgow is a leading, research-intensive institution with a global reputation and ambitious plans for the future. While our success will depend primarily on the excellence of our teaching and research, the professional support services have a vital role to play in ensuring the University achieves its aspirations. To this end, we need to make sure that the University Services are optimally organised. The high-level restructuring we are about to undertake will help us to do this."

Colleagues across University Services will have the opportunity to discuss what the changes mean for their own areas in departmental and team meetings. For further information visit: University Services - organisational structure

Colleagues can discuss the proposed changes at their own directorate level but may also contact the Chief Operating Officer Dr David Duncan or the Deputy Secretary, Dr Dorothy Welch.

Specific issues relating to Human Resources can be discussed with the Head of HR (University Services), Claire Williamson

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First published: 27 June 2017