Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences

The Council of Aberystwyth University at its meeting today, Friday 12 February, has unanimously approved the restructuring of the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS).

The Council underlined its full support for IBERS and its determination to create an internationally competitive scientific institute at Aberystwyth University, delivering teaching, research and knowledge transfer to address the challenges of the 21st century.

Council recognised that IBERS faces a substantial and growing financial deficit which requires prompt action to ensure its sustainability so that it can achieve its ambition to become a world class institute.

The Council has therefore resolved to respond to the financial position, and full consultation will take place with the staff and the trade unions, which will meet all legal obligations.

The aim is that the necessary restructuring should be accomplished as far as possible by voluntary measures. The Council, however, accepts that some compulsory redundancies may be necessary.

The formal process will now proceed, and Council will discuss the issue when it receives a report and recommendations at its next meeting.