Swansea Met and Trinity Saint David join as Cardiff Met fights own merger plan

As two Welsh universities join under a scheme to promote closer working relationships another fights plans for it to merge with two others.

Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have agreed to unite.

But Cardiff Metropolitan University claims it is being asked to merge with Newport and Glamorgan without a proper business case.

More on these two stories: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19914094 and http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education-news/2012/10/11/cardiff-metropolitan-university-could-report-welsh-government-over-merger-91466-32016073/

 

Goodbye and good luck!

We say a sad farewell to Sally Wilkinson, currently Head of Learning Resources at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David … but also many congratulations as she takes up her new post with Cranfield University as Head of the Barrington Library at the Defence Academy. Sally has been a hardworking member of the WHELF Business Group for a number of years and will be very much missed by us all.

Welsh universities in the news

BBC Wales: After scandal, what happens now to University of Wales? 
27 October 2011 – Follow related stories links.

Wales Online: Hefcw are pushing an open door in asking Swansea University to work more with Cardiff
27 October 2011 – Follow related stories links.

Times Higher Education Supplement: We’re not dead, just ‘evolving’
27 October 2011 – University of Wales declares that reports of its demise are premature.

Dual-sector plan to revitalise regional education

“For years, the co-existence of universities and colleges meant that education establishments used to run alongside each other to serve a local area’s needs, but what happens when major players in the sector join forces and work together to create a new concept which looks at the educational needs of an entire region, in an innovative way?

This radical thinking has led to the creation of dual sector university, developed by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and its further education partners, where the primary aim is to respond to the educational, social and economic needs of the region.”

“The dual-sector university partnership is a working concept which includes Coleg Sir Gâr, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Pembrokeshire College, Coleg Ceredigion with Swansea Metropolitan University joining next year.”

“The financial benefits include shared services. For example, since the partnership, Trinity Saint David is working with Coleg Sir Gâr to deliver degree courses in art and design at the college and at the university which means that students are able to share library, learning and social facilities associated with a university experience.”

For more detail, link to news item: News from Coleg Sirgar

(Thanks to Alison Harding for the link)

‘Radical’ Welsh ‘super university’ merger agreed

From BBC News Wales:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12433322

“An agreement to form a new “super university” in Wales has been described as a “radical” move which “bridges educational boundaries”.

University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC), Swansea Metropolitan University and Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen will merge as The University of Wales.

The University of Wales’ history is as a federal body with colleges in Bangor, Aberystwyth, Swansea and Cardiff.

But they have largely separated from the University of Wales recently.

BBC Wales education correspondent Ciaran Jenkins said that for the institution to become a working institution incorporating at least two post-1992 universities is an extremely significant development.

The three institutions in the new merged body may be joined at a later date by University of Wales Newport and Glyndwr University, Wrexham. That would make the new university the biggest in Wales.

The new structure involving three institutions will be the third largest in Wales.

In December Education Minister Leighton Andrews challenged universities to “adapt or die”.

The university said its leadership would be “fundamentally different from traditional structures”.

It will be led jointly by Prof Marc Clement, currently vice chancellor of the University of Wales, as president / pro chancellor, and Prof Medwin Hughes – current vice chancellor of Trinity Saint David – will be rector / pro chancellor.

It said each man would have “clearly defined and separate roles”.

“This is a radical step change which bridges educational boundaries and delivers the minister’s vision of providing a joined up approach to the planning of further and higher education across Wales,” said Dr Hughes.”

Opportunities of a Confederal University for South West Wales

Friday 3rd December 2010

9.30am – 4.45pm, Halliwell Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen

The emergence of the new University of Wales Trinity Saint David and its developing links with Swansea Metropolitan University, Pembrokeshire College, Coleg Sir Gâr, and other colleges and schools throughout south west Wales, provide many opportunities for knowledge-led economic development.

The creation of Wales’s first ‘dual sector’ university within a confederal framework will allow seamless student movement within tertiary education and foster integrated research programmes across the region. It will bring together more than 170,000 students making it the fourth largest higher education institution in Wales.

It will also deliver integrated learning pathways that will transcend educational boundaries and promote economic development. Underpinning the initiative a number of key research academies are planned, focusing on professional development for those working in the public service, heritage and tourism, rural health and social care, the creative industries, rural sustainability and landscape management, and education.

This conference explores the role of the new University, the potential for collaboration of the range of institutions operating within its confederal structure, the developing research agenda, and the future economic impact on south west Wales.

For a full conference programme please visit the IWA website http://www.iwa.org.uk/en/events/view/109

A new vision to transform education in South West Wales

On Wednesday, 2 June a new vision for post-16 education in South West Wales was unveiled at the National Urdd Eisteddfod, Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion.

The vision is to establish a regional educational group comprising two universities and three FE colleges in South West Wales to create a dual sector group structure providing meaningful educational pathways, enhancing student choice and developing joint educational provision which responds to the needs of employers.

A declaration of intent was announced between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (created by 1 September by the merger of Trinity University College and the University of Wales Lampeter), Swansea Metropolitan University, Pembrokeshire College,  Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion.

Dr Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor Designate of UW Trinity Saint David, said “In addressing the various policy directives identified by the Welsh Assembly Government, the higher education sector in Wales faces major strategic challenges. The For Our Future strategy identifies the necessity to consider the implications of strategic partnerships and new reconfiguration models.  This proposal builds upon the current reconfiguration already approved by the Welsh Assembly Government within the region with the creation of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David”.

He continued “The time is right to establish new educational structures which will transform the educational landscape. Wales needs to be innovative in its educational system and delivery frameworks in order to establish regional groupings which will enhance economic delivery, support social capital and drive forward greater regional post 16 educational pathways. In doing so, we will secure greater synergy in our skills delivery and establish far stronger strategic partnerships with business, employers and work-based learning providers”.

Professor David Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University, said “The possibility of both Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David coming together within a new unified educational infrastructure is based upon a long standing tradition of collaboration and of sharing common values, mission and educational provision. Both universities focus upon a clear regional mission and deliver quality provision which enhances regional progression.”

The Statement of Intent between the two universities, Coleg Sir Gâr, Pembrokeshire College and Coleg Ceredigion proposes to establish a new Post-16 regional strategic alliance for the South West within a collegiate structure.

Press release

Creating a new university in Wales

An event held at the House of Commons on 23 March saw the launch of the vision for a new university in Wales.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David will be created by the University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College, and already the development has secured a £14.3 million government funding package via the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).

Secretary of State Peter Hain said:
“The proposed University of Wales Trinity St David, bringing together two of Wales’ oldest institutions, will strengthen Higher Education provision in West Wales. It will provide a dynamic environment in which students can thrive. The University’s vision is pioneering - and will see the institution continuing to attract students from across Wales, the UK and the rest of the World. I would like to wish the University all the best for the future, as they play a key role in ensuring that Wales’ higher education system meets the needs of the 21st century.”

Read more at: http://www.trinity-cm.ac.uk/en/news/pressreleases/name_7128_en.asp

New Head of Learning Resources for Trinity Saint David

Congratulations to Sally Wilkinson who has been appointed as Head of Learning Resources for the new institution which will be formed between Lampeter and Trinity from 1 Aug 2010 (University of Wales: Trinity Saint David)

Sally’s remit is: to provide strategic guidance and leadership across the range of learning and research resources.  The post holder will have the overall responsibility for strategic planning, leadership, development and operational management across the full range of activities in relation to the provision of library, learning and research resource systems and services across the University.

The role also has responsibilities for learning technologies such as technology enhanced learning as well as information literacy.