UQ proposes changes to finance and HR services

The University of Queensland has released a report proposing improvements to finance and human resources systems and service delivery so it can invest more in the student experience.

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said changes to UQ’s finance and human resources services were vital to balance revenue and operating costs and to re-invest in academic and teaching excellence.

“This is critical if UQ is to continue delivering global top-50 quality education and research and graduates who are sought by employers worldwide,” Professor Høj said.

“We have a broader imperative to balance our slowing revenue growth against the growth of our operating costs.

“This will become even more challenging in a future which is almost certain to involve shrinking government investment in quality higher education.”

Professor Høj said a reduction in professional staff numbers was inevitable, and staff would be informed and supported throughout this change process.

“This will be difficult, but I can assure you that we are committed to supporting staff throughout the change and to keeping the communication lines open and timely,” he said.

UQ seeks to reduce the costs of delivering finance and human resource services by up to 25 per cent before the end of 2017, particularly by streamlining processes, systems and service delivery.

“Comparative to best practice, the university spends significantly more in delivering finance and HR services, reflecting years of service devolution, duplication and under-investment in systems and service innovation,” Professor Høj said.

“Our professional staff numbers have grown while the number of academic staff has declined. This trend must be reversed.

We now have an opportunity to improve systems and service delivery and to further streamline the finance and HR teams as key enablers of UQ’s academic success.”

While the focus is currently on the HR and finance functions, the university will continue to review service delivery in other areas as part of the university’s normal organisational change processes.

The report is open for university wide comment until 7 October.

Media: UQ Communications; communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.