Wales aims for smaller, stronger HE

2 Jul 10
The Welsh Government has announced a radical shake-up of higher education in Wales, which will mean 'significantly fewer' universities
By Paul Dicken

01 July 2010

The Welsh Government has announced a radical shake-up of higher education in Wales, which will mean ‘significantly fewer’ universities.

In a statement to the National Assembly, Education Minister Leighton Andrews said: ‘Wales has been dogged for years by many institutions which are too small to cut a mark internationally, too small to withstand and respond to the growing pressure of international competition, and in danger of wasting resources competing with neighbours.’

He said the restructuring plans of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales would mean fewer but ‘larger and stronger’ universities that would drive forward economic renewal and social justice.  

The plans would ‘not mean fewer students’, he stressed, ‘but it is likely to mean fewer vice chancellors’.

The aim is to increase the number of international students and divert money from running costs into research and knowledge transfer.

Welsh Conservative education spokesman Paul Davies said: ‘I hope this will not mean fewer students from disadvantaged backgrounds are able to access higher education.’

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