The radical transformation of Higher Education (HE) in Wales has been announced by Education Minister Jane Hutt.
The Minister has outlined a significant shift in how the £400m+ annual funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to the HE sector in Wales will be spent to improve efficiency, widen access, develop strong links between the economy and higher education providers and improve opportunities for learning through the medium of Welsh.
Jane Hutt said:
“Our significant funding for HE must be targeted to meet the Government’s goals of achieving social justice and supporting a strong economy. It is crucial for the future success of higher education in Wales that, while building on the sector’s strengths and recognising our universities’ record of international excellence, we ensure that higher education in Wales contributes all it can to the economic, cultural and social life of Wales.”
To achieve change and drive Wales’ higher education providers forward the Welsh Assembly Government working with HEFCW and the HE Community will target funding to achieve:
The Minister said:
“I want to see Higher Education meeting the needs of Wales in the 21st century. The steps that I have announced today represent a bold step forward in making sure that the sector is adaptable and ready for change. I believe that the direction of travel we’ve chosen, based on evidence from Merfyn Jones’ review, will meet the needs of students, employers and business in Wales while ensuring that Higher Education is both vibrant and sustainable in the future. “As the largest single investor in Higher Education in Wales we expect the sector to meet our expectations. By implementing these innovative plans I expect that additional, significant funding of £31 million per year will be unlocked by 2015/16. This funding will be reinvested into HE allowing us to compete at international level while ensuring that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to access higher learning.” Related Links For Our Future - The 21st Century Higher Education Strategy and Plan for Wales ‘For Our Future - The 21st Century Higher Education Strategy and Plan for Wales’ is the higher education strategy and plan for Wales. It builds upon and replaces 'Reaching Higher'. Over 16 and Continuing Education Learning is key to personal and economic development, and it doesn’t need to end when you leave school
“I want to see Higher Education meeting the needs of Wales in the 21st century. The steps that I have announced today represent a bold step forward in making sure that the sector is adaptable and ready for change. I believe that the direction of travel we’ve chosen, based on evidence from Merfyn Jones’ review, will meet the needs of students, employers and business in Wales while ensuring that Higher Education is both vibrant and sustainable in the future.
“As the largest single investor in Higher Education in Wales we expect the sector to meet our expectations. By implementing these innovative plans I expect that additional, significant funding of £31 million per year will be unlocked by 2015/16. This funding will be reinvested into HE allowing us to compete at international level while ensuring that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to access higher learning.”