The University of Otago Council has today voted to close the Centre for Materials Science and Technology.
The centre has 29.4 full time equivalent students and 10.76 full-time equivalent staff.
Prof Richard Barker - whose report recommending the closure of the centre was debated by the council - said a lack of student numbers, issues housing the centre and its poor financial performance meant the centre was unsustainable.
''It is right to close the centre now rather than prolong this process any further.''
Staff representative Craig Marshall questioned the speed in closing the centre, given the centre had only been established in 2016.
Three councillors voted against the closure proposal.
The centre will close next year, but students already enrolled will continue be taught through till 2019.