A LEADING Scottish university is to press ahead with cuts to its popular adult learning programme.
Glasgow University is to withdraw some £500,000 a year from its Centre for Open Studies after the move was approved by its ruling Court.
Officials argue the decision, which could see up to nine staff lose their jobs and some courses close, will secure the long-term future of the centre by making it self sufficient.
However, open studies staff said the removal of the funding was more likely to lead to its "imminent demise".
Lecturer Dr Liam Kane said: "The survival of the centre has been in jeopardy since the university decided, three years ago, to withdraw any support from the government funding it receives.
"Any university department would be in trouble if the university deprived it of a teaching grant and that is the only reason the centre is in what has been described as a deficit.
"The experience of the last three years strongly suggests that, without some teaching grant support, the centre will continue to struggle for survival, but every time we try to raise this issue for discussion, the university refuses to engage with us."
A university spokesman said the centre remained "very important" and would continue to offer a "balanced and exciting programme" that was also sustainable in the long-term.
He said: "Widening access and providing different routes to degree courses for students who have talent and ambition, regardless of economic background or family circumstance, is central to the university and Court re-affirmed our commitment to maintain the current provision of access courses.
"The vast majority of other courses will continue with no change. Those few subject areas that will now be withdrawn are ones where there is low demand.
"The changes that have been agreed will provide stability and certainty for the future of the centre, but regrettably this will involve the loss of some posts."
The university said it would be discussing job losses with staff and was confident it could be done through voluntary agreement and redeployment.
It is the second time in the last few years the adult learning programme at Glasgow University has been threatened. In 2011 there was a public outcry at plans to close the former Department of Adult and Continuing Education as part of wider cost cutting measures.
The university eventually recommended keeping the centre open on the understanding it would have have to pay its way as the grant was phased out.
The Centre for Open Studies offers some 300 part-time courses for adults as well as a variety of activities throughout the year, including a summer programme and public lectures.
Topics include archaeology, art, history, languages, creative writing, literature, music, philosophy and science. Costs range from £15 for half-day courses to £200 for those lasting a week or covering a weekend.
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