Union bosses are seeking “urgent reassurance” that jobs will not be put at risk with the “takeover” of the cash-strapped University of Kent.

It follows the “merger” of the uni with the University of Greenwich, which is in a far stronger financial position.

The surprising new partnership to create a “super university” was announced earlier today .

The University of Kent, which has its main campus in Canterbury and a smaller site in Medway, has 16,000 students and employs more than 3,000 people in academic and support roles.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), says both staff and students should be “alarmed”.

“This isn’t a merger, it is a takeover,” she said today.

“It is clear this is the result of severe financial pressure – anyone attempting to s

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