A RADICAL blueprint for the future of a North-East university has been unveiled.

Professor Kel Fidler, vice-chancellor of Northumbria University in Newcastle, is to overhaul the structure of the organisation to boost income and strengthen its academic reputation.

The professor, who was appointed last September, is to replace the faculty-based system with 11 schools.

The schools will be headed by a dean and supported by associate deans and there also will be a new senior management team to support the vice-chancellor.

But the university said yesterday it had assured staff that there would be no redundancies as a result of the shake-up.

The changes were announced to staff earlier this week and are expected to be implemented in September.

The vice-chancellor wants to focus on scholarly activities, with more academic staff taking on research and consultancy work. He sees it as a way of boosting the university's income and enhancing its teaching reputation.

Prof Fidler said: "My vision is for Northumbria to be a world-leading, internationally recognised university, outstanding in teaching and research, yet, like many successful, international commercial organisations, pre-eminent in regional activity."

A new post, deputy vice-chancellor (development) will have responsibility for developing the university's profile.

The deputy vice-chancellor (resources) will have responsibility for finance, estates, human resources, IT and learning resources.

There will be three pro-vice-chancellors who will take management responsibility for Northumbria's learning and teaching portfolio, research and consultancy activities, and student affairs - including admissions and welfar