PolyU tranfers may prevent lay-offs in case of large cuts

Some academics at Polytechnic University might be asked to teach associate degree courses at its community college at a much lower salary as an alternative to being laid off, president Poon Chung-kwong has said.

Professor Poon warned that lay-offs would be needed should the government withdraw its funding for higher diploma programmes. The university would also be subject to a heavy financial blow should the cuts be implemented together with the likely reduction in funding for universities.

'Being transferred is better than having no job at all, though it will mean a drastic cut in salary,' said Professor Poon, foreseeing a tough time ahead for universities in the present economic climate. 'Other options could be explored, such as teachers agreeing on a pay cut among themselves. But much depends on the future financial situation.' The university is aiming to expand student enrolment at its community college to 3,000 from the present 900 by 2008, when a new building to house the college is completed.

A new round of voluntary redundancies might also be introduced in the case of a serious funding cut, he added.

The government last November announced plans to withdraw funding for sub-degree programmes, except those with high start-up and maintenance costs or 'endangered species' courses - those with little market demand. One-third of the courses offered by PolyU are at higher diploma (HD) level.

PolyU has submitted a proposal to the University Grants Committee on retaining funding for most of its HD courses. Professor Poon hopes that should the cuts be implemented, they will be introduced in phases over the next two trienniums, not in one hit. He has called on the government to provide more second year degree places to help sustain its staff's employment.