Welsh Government announces £19 million fund to support universities

The Welsh Government has announced the creation of a £19 million fund to support universities.

This comes weeks after Cardiff University announced its proposals to cut 400 jobs and numerous courses.

The new funding is made up of £18.5 million to help challenges faced by higher education institutions in Wales, and £500,000 to support international recruitment and promotion.

The money will be allocated to universities across the nation via Medr to help them meet costs associated with maintenance and digital projects, as well as for improving environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the funding will also aim to enable universities to ensure their facilities continue to be suitable for providing a high-quality student experience and for delivering world-leading research.

According to the Welsh Government, this is the third recent funding boost delivered to higher education establishments, following an increase in tuition fees which is predicted to raise £21.9 million next year for the sector, as well as an announcement of an additional £10 million last autumn.

Talking about the new fund, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells said: “Universities across Wales are anchor institutions in our economy, our communities and our culture. This funding will contribute to the longer-term sustainability of universities.

“I have invited all Vice Chancellors to a roundtable meeting for more discussions about the current challenges facing the sector and how we can work together to safeguard the future of higher education in Wales.”

Cardiff UCU has responded to the government’s announcement, with branch president Dr Joey Whitfield saying: “Today’s announcement of a £19 million cash injection for the sector in Wales makes it even more difficult for Cardiff University’s Executive Board to plough ahead with its plans to slash 400 jobs and close entire departments and programmes.

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“Now more than ever it lacks the political cover for its cruel and unnecessary cuts. Along with its £188 million in accessible cash, the promised money from Welsh Government gives Cardiff University no excuse to make 400 more of our members redundant.”

A Cardiff UCU spokesperson also released a statement, calling the new funding “hugely encouraging”, adding that it will “put more pressure on Cardiff University’s management to row back on their brutal and unnecessary cuts, and institute the more gradual, humane recovery plan we’ve argued for all along.”

He continued by saying: “We would also urge the Welsh Government to make any new funds conditional upon governance reform and protecting access to, and participation in Welsh Universities. Otherwise, they risk throwing good money after bad.”

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “We welcome today’s announcement from Welsh Government. The precarious financial position of many universities in the sector is well documented. It is too early to say how this funding will affect Cardiff University, but it will be considered in our wider financial context. Additional capital funding to support our estate and digital infrastructure is always welcome.”

Featured image via Google Maps