A Scottish university has been accused of severing important diplomatic links with Austria by cutting a jointly funded position at short notice as it sought to save money.
It is understood that the University of Aberdeen’s next Austrian lector had already been appointed to the position before the university decided it could no longer support the role, and it is now having to offer compensation in a move that staff said contradicted its cost-saving intentions.
For several decades, Aberdeen was one of nine UK universities to host the prestigious position – supported by Austria’s Exchange Service, the OeAD – with post holders responsible for delivering teaching on the German programme and arranging cultural activities for students.
In March, the university posted a £7 million deficit in its annual accounts, and it has been looking to reduce staff posts by not replacing academics who are leaving. Although it had initially agreed to hire a new lector when the role became available, staff said they had been told last month that it was being withdrawn.
