Future Structure of Universities in Wales

Consultation Response Form 	
Your name:	Lleu Williams

Organisation (if applicable): UCU

email/telephone number: lwilliams@ucu.org.uk  /01656 721951

Your address: Unit 33, The Enterprise Centre, Tondu Bridgend, CF32 9BS	
Responses should be returned by 5 October 2011 to:

HE Policy Team
Welsh Government
Ffynon Las
Tŷ Glas Avenue
Llanishen
Cardiff
CF14 5EZ

email: 		HEPolicy@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Question 1: What are your views on the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales' (HEFCW's) report, Future Structure of Universities in Wales?

UCU in Wales have a very clear policy position in relation to reconfiguration and collaboration within the context of the policy document Reaching Higher.
Since the WAG review of Higher Education in 2002 the precursor unions to UCU publicly supported the reconfiguration and collaboration agenda as we believe it is the only way to ensure a breadth of provision for learners both at undergraduate and post graduate levels across Wales. In our view, it will provide a much needed career structure within the post 92 sector for academic staff with the necessary commitment to staff development in relation to third mission activities, to support the agenda laid down in ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction.’ The outcome of this, we believe, will be a healthy and vibrant academic community which will benefit the learners the staff and the economy of Wales.

It does however need to be re-stated that, from a UCU perspective, our support is absolutely conditional on the following:

•	Full engagement with the processes of merger and appointments during merger discussions.

•	A commitment to no compulsory redundancies as a consequence of merger or collaboration.

•	Maintenance of the breadth of provision currently available within the institutions.

We would also support the view of our sister union, Unison, that any new University continue the provision of in-house support services. 

It is within this context that we offer the following views.

Given the all age transformation agenda being pursued by the Government in Wales it makes sense to UCU to look in some detail at what is needed to ensure a University sector which can deliver real benefit for all.  

We support the contention that strategic collaboration, and where appropriate merger, are needed to secure future research grants and to sustain a broad subject portfolio.

In 2002, we submitted the following view to the Higher Education Review: 
    
“It is our view that the decline in investment in Welsh HE and competition between HEIs has led to what we describe as ‘creeping marginalisation’ whereby institutions close or gradually run down their least cost effective courses. This largely tends to be the most expensive and specialised provision, often in areas of science and engineering, the very areas of direct economic importance.” UCU also has genuine concerns with regards to the prioritisation of STEM research over arts and humanities subjects. It should be noted that research has shown that small and median size research unites tend to be at least as productive as large research units

We fully support the focus within HEFCW’s corporate strategy outlined at 4.2 in the confidential advice to the Minister. For UCU, the key to success in Wales is to develop an education provision that is based on regional planning, where FEIs plan their HE provision in collaboration with the Universities. From our perspective the government in Wales is making significant inroads, ridding the FE sector of nugatory competition; this matter needs now to be addressed in the University sector. 

At 5.3.2 in the document you proffer the suggestion that “The proportion of institutional governing body members drawn from the commercial and business sectors is below the UK average. Addressing this deficit could help to increase business interactions and raise overall levels of stakeholder awareness.” What evidence is there to support this assertion? The current governing bodies in FE in Wales are significantly dominated by business interests and yet we continue to hear that the sector is not responsive to the needs of the business community.

UCU would urge caution in this area. Effective governance of our education institutions in Wales is crucial to their continued success and development. Business engagement is not and should not be a function of governance. There are many other ways in which institutions and their staff can engage with the business community. We would suggest the most effective way to address this issue is for managers within the institutions to allow time for staff to engage as a part of their workload. HEFCW could consider drafting guidance for institutions to encourage this development. The Welsh Government has identified an expectation that HEFCW ensure Welsh HEIs and their students’ union jointly agree a student charter which clearly lays out the mutual roles and responsibilities of institutions and of their students. UCU believe that, if they apply, similar principles could be applied between the institution and it’s staff to ensure that staff can engage with the business community, within the context of workload allocation.

Question 2:  Do you have any comments on the report's proposals relating to specific higher education institutions?
Cardiff University:

Our view on Cardiff University is shared by HEFCW, that Cardiff University should be a world class institution. We also support the view of HEFCW that Cardiff should, in certain areas, work in closer partnership with Swansea University. By working in closer partnership, Cardiff University can utilise the expertise of its neighbouring institution in certain subject areas for learning and teaching, and vice versa to help raise Swansea University’s standing.

UCU believes any argument over Cardiff University losing stature as Wales’s biggest institution if other mergers happen are void, due to Cardiff University’s unique place as a research intensive institution. In addition Cardiff’s turnover of £429m would be double of any other university in Wales.

Despite this, UCU is keen to ensure that this current reconfiguration process should be used to solve any current issues that prevent Cardiff University from becoming a world class institution. HEFCW note that Cardiff University account for 50% of all research grants won in Wales, and this makes up only 3.4% of the total research income available in the UK. UCU believes that HEFCW and the Welsh Government have to identify the factors that are preventing Cardiff University from achieving its full potential. 

UCU would expect that Cardiff University works in collaboration with the other institutions to boost research frameworks to ensure other institutions, as well as Cardiff, can compete better for research grants that are available to higher education institutions. 

UCU would like to see the current reconfiguration process being used address the issue of uneven distribution of medicine education. Cardiff University could work in closer collaboration with Swansea University, to boost Swansea University’s medical school and to ensure that we have two medical schools of comparable size to competitor medical schools in the UK here in Wales. 

Swansea University:

UCU acknowledge that Swansea University is potentially strong enough to remain independent, and believe with the right input it can achieve its ambition of becoming a 1994 Group institution. UCU believe that Swansea University’s independence from other institutions must contribute to increasing the global standing of Welsh universities, by working in collaboration with other institutions in Wales.

Swansea University has demonstrated in recent years its ability to win several high profile research contracts including those with TATA steel and Rolls Royce, but we believe that this capacity to win research contracts needs to be excelled if Swansea University is to remain viable, especially with the proposed development of the second campus. UCU believe that it further collaboration with Cardiff University is essential for the long term success of Swansea University and its ability to increase its research income.

UCU believe that this current reconfiguration process should be used to ensure that Swansea works collaboratively with other institutions in the South West Wales region. The current proposals for the merger of Swansea Metropolitan and Trinity St David’s, alongside Swansea University’s current standing, provides enough regional provision of subjects within the area, but we believe more needs to be done on research. By collaborating with TSD/SMU, Swansea can help give this new institution the framework to compete for further research grants, strengthening the position of both institutions in the area. This must be achieved through deeper regional collaboration.

In addition, Swansea University needs to work closer with Cardiff University to develop its medical school. Swansea already has the new Institute of Life Sciences which is winning medical research contracts, and by working in collaboration with Cardiff’s medical school, we believe Swansea can further achieve a medical school of comparable size to competitor medical schools in the UK.

Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities:

UCU supports reconfiguration and collaboration between Aberystwyth University and Bangor University. UCU believe that by developing a deeper strategic partnership between both institutions would be of benefit to increasing the institutions ability to bring in research income. 

Both Aberystwyth University and Bangor University have very strong subject areas, particularly in science, and further collaboration would give the institutions the critical mass needed to meet research council expectations. UCU believe this should be an option for increasing the research portfolio and standing of both institutions. 

UCU also believes that if these collaborations are successful, and if it is the right thing to do at the right time, encouragement to merge should be made, but only when, and if, appropriate. UCU’s support to any further merger discussions is conditional on this.

Glyndwr University:

It should be stated from the outset that members of UCU working at Glyndwr are extremely concerned that whatever option is finally chosen for this institution that it provides long term stability and opportunity for the staff and prospective students. 

UCU members at Glyndwr would stress that if the institution were to go it alone, that any changes to working conditions would be unacceptable. Any changes to working conditions would invariably impact upon the student experience; a sacrifice that UCU members will not make to save money to ensure that Glyndwr stays independent.

Merger with Aberystwyth or Bangor: It is the view of UCU members at Glyndwr to completely oppose any merger with Aberystwyth or Bangor.

Merger with Chester: It is our view that despite the complementary provision within both institutions, the differences in policy steers and funding methodology would not provide a stable base from which to grow a research capacity or develop the curriculum.

Structural relationships with a range of FE colleges: The reservations outlined in the advice suggest that it is the intention of HEFCW to ensure that each ‘HE’ region in Wales is able to offer a wide range in relation to the curriculum offer. Surely the regional planning structures which have been recently introduced will address this issue- base on demonstrable need. This option would only work if the status of the ‘university’ was protected and it could be agreed where the focus of research within the University should lie given its current mission. We would be very concerned at the cultural differences between He and FE would also play a role and be a semi permanent feature of the organisational dynamic, creating conflict which will continually need resourced and managed.

The Suffolk Model: The advice suggests that if this model were adopted then a significant mass in HE could be achieved. However the evidence to support such a contention is not readily evident to us. It is clear from our conversations with colleagues that the ‘Suffolk model’ brings together two competing institutions into what is effectively a governance structure to create a third university, which was given significant HEFCE funding. 

It is the view of UCU that all of the above present significant difficulties. We would like to suggest that Glyndwr University be considered for merger in a phase two with the new University of Wales (U of Wales; TSD; SMU). If the new university were to invest in new technology there is no reason why the HE curriculum offer in NE Wales should not be significantly enhanced by such a merger. Distance is not an issue or HEFCW would not be considering proposing managing Glyndwr by Aberystwyth and Bangor.

University of Glamorgan, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and the University of Wales, Newport:

Our view on the future structure of ‘Post 92’ HE institutions in SE Wales has not changed since we provided evidence to the Independent Review of Higher Education in 2002, repeated again in our evidence to the Independent Review conducted by Professors J Bull and R Cooke in Spring 2005, the highlights of which are contained within our response to question one. 

Nearly a decade has passed and we still have relatively small post 92 HE institutions in South East Wales competing with one another in a number of curriculum areas. We are hopeful that the current Minister and HEFCW will now use their powers to direct the institutions to engage constructively with an agenda which will deliver for the learners of SE Wales and ensure international competitiveness.

Due to the timing of this consultation UCU would add a strong cautionary note that we have not be able to consult widely with our membership as the majority were enjoying a well earned holiday. Before any final decision is taken we would expect to be able to provide written comments which reflect the current views of the UCU membership working in these institutions.

We believe that any future plans must include the following:
•	The formation of a new institution must ensure that there is no ‘lead’ partner or takeover arrangements based on turnover.
•	Appointments to senior management team must follow Nolan principles, including external advert of the post of VC.
•	New name which is perceived as ‘totally independent’ of any of the three current institutions.

University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales:

UCU acknowledge the proposal for a new university in Wales, bringing together the three institutions under a supplemental charter of the current University of Wales. We support the decisions made thus far in relation to one accounting officer and look forward to engaging with the three institutions to create a new institution.

UCU have had experience of discussions within the merger context in Wales and we would not continue to engage in a process, which we believed, would harm the interests of learners and our members. 

Current publicity about the validations processes of the current University of Wales do cause us concern and we would seek re-assurances early on in the process that the institutions would address our concerns and seriously consider how to limit the damage further publicity could have on a new institution named the University of Wales. 

We are keen to ascertain what proposals would be put in place to address one of the recommendations which was put forward by the Independent Review of Governance published in March 2011, namely that the UoW should undertake an orderly winding down of its validation activities overseas, and cease to recruit new students on any of its validated programmes from September 2012. We will be pursuing this matter with the institution post October 2011.

	

Question 3: We have asked two specific questions. If you have any related issues which we have not specifically addressed, please use the space below to report these.

UCU has outlined our views on each of the proposals from HEFCW to the Welsh Government, and we have been supportive of the reconfiguration agenda for a number of years. From a UCU perspective our continued support is absolutely conditional on:

•	Full engagement with the processes of merger and appointments during merger discussions.

•	A commitment to no compulsory redundancies as a consequence of merger or collaboration.

•	Maintenance of the breadth of provision currently available within the institutions.

We strongly believe the outcome of reconfiguration will be a healthy and vibrant academic community which will benefit the learners the staff and the economy of Wales. But, UCU believes that any reconfiguration and collaboration has to be done properly, and that we must seize this opportunity to learn from previous mergers that have happened in Wales.

In addition, UCU believes that any collaboration or merger must be subject to full risk and financial assessments, equality impact assessments and extensive communication between staff, students and the institutions themselves.

UCU also has serious concerns that this consultation process coincided with the period where a lot of its members take their holidays. 

	

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