Increased saved capital The University of Gothenburg has achieved its educational mandate for the first time in eight years. At the same time, most of the indications show that the university will also have a surplus this year and thereby increase its saved capital. IT IS ESTIMATED that there will
be a surplus of SEK 30 million for the entire year. It is better than expected and is mainly due to improved educational performance, an increased income from grants and lower costs than planned. This was evident from the financial follow-up carried out after the first eight months of the year, the so-called four-monthly report, which was presented to the University Board in mid-October. – I am most pleased about the fact that the university is fulfilling its educational mandate, says CFO Peter Tellberg. All the faculties, except the Sahlgrenska Academy, will achieve their educational mandates. However, this year’s forecast of plus SEK 30 million should be taken with a pinch of salt, Peter Tellberg emphasizes.
– CONSIDERING THAT we have a
turnover of SEK 7 billion, 30 million is relatively little. Although I’m sure it will be a positive result, the question is by how much. The follow-up shows that personnel costs have increased by SEK 77 million, but that is not due to having more employees, says Peter Tellberg. – We have seen a very small decrease compared to the same period last year. It may sound a little strange that we have achieved our mandate for the first time in eight years, at the same time as we were given extended mandates this year, but without hiring more lecturers. One of the bright spots is that research grants are continuing to increase, especially from Swedish donors.
– It is an improvement of 25 percent. The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation accounts for the largest increase, 66 million, followed by the Swedish Cancer Society with 22 million. The fact that research income is increasing, as well as the fact that we are accepting more students, can be seen as a quality indicator. This means that the balanced capital has been replenished by an estimated SEK 30 million and that at the end of the year it will amount to just over SEK 1.2 billion. The vast majority of this money, around SEK 900 million, is designated for research assignments that have not yet been completed. BUT PETER TELLBERG does not believe that the coronavirus pandemic will have a major effect on the finances. – A surprisingly small effect actually. It was thought that it would have a significant impact, but it has not. One fear was that there would be significantly fewer foreign, fee-paying students at the University of Gothenburg but that did not happen. There has only been a small decrease compared to 2019. Although the financial situation is generally stable, there are considerable differences between faculties, departments and research groups. The Faculty of Humanities is still experiencing a tough financial situation. Last year, the University Board decided to contribute SEK 10 million per year for the period 2021–2023 to cope with the adjustment and the sharp increase in rental costs. Although the latest follow-up shows a rapid recovery. From having budgeted a result of minus SEK 17 million, the forecast is now down to minus SEK 3 million for the entire year. – THE FACULTY HAS worked
extremely hard and is almost in balance. On the research side, things are looking good, but the main explanation is the increased influx of students. Courses that
The fact that research income is increasing, as well as the fact that we are accepting more students, can be seen as a quality indicator. PETER TELLBERG
are almost full in terms of student numbers have a very positive effect on the finances. The Joint Administration is also in a difficult situation. The forecast points to a deficit of SEK 31 million, which is SEK 7 million more than planned. – This did not happen overnight. The Joint Administration has had increased costs over time, which has coincided with an extended mandate that does not align with their current budget. AN EXTERNAL auditor will in-
vestigate the current model for financing the Joint Administration and University Library for the financial year 2022. Furthermore, a savings requirement of SEK 30 million has been imposed on the Joint Administration for the period 2021–2022, which corresponds to savings of 6.4 percent. – It is probably not such a good idea to do both of these right now, Peter Tellberg points out. Despite a positive result, there are challenges and the situation remains uncertain. This primarily applies to the content of the Research and Innovation Bill that will be coming in November. – It might provide great opportunities, but the risk is that the money will be coming towards the end of the year, and that we do not have time to distribute it and use it in time.
Allan Eriksson
Facts PREDICTIONS FOR 2020 (MILLIONS CROWNS) Faculty of Humanities Faculty of Social Sciences School of Business, Economics and Law Faculty of Education Faculty of Science Sahlgrenska Academy Faculty of FIne Arts IT-Faculty Central Administration
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GUJOURNAL AUTUMN 2020
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