Student-led peitition calls for uni to end its investment in new Mauritius campus

A student-led petition has called for the university to abandon its plans to open a new campus in Mauritius and reinvest the funds in Neuadd Pantycelyn Halls.

Uni officials claim the opening of a new campus on the remote island in the Indian Ocean is  part of an ambitious bid to increase Aber’s reputation across the world.

But protest group Ffrindiau Pantycelyn (“Friends of Pantycelyn”) have spearheaded a campaign to stop the development, suggesting the uni should “abandon its investment on moral grounds” because of the island’s “role as a tax haven”.

Fllur Arerll, one of the signatories, said: “Research conducted by Transparency International on corruption in Mauritius and research by political activist Emyr Llywelyn reveals serious and credible accusations of money laundering and tax-evading.

“Why would Aberystwyth University want to associate itself with such a place?”

Artist’s impression of the new tropical campus

The petition argues the money would be better spent safeguarding jobs at the college as well as being used to renovate the now empty Pantycelyn – originally the Welsh language students residency.

Fllur added:  “Abersytwyth University’s priority should be to create local jobs in and around Abersytwyth, protect the jobs of college staff, and invest in Pantycelyn Halls and ensure it is fully renovated to the best possible standard, so it can achieve its full potential as a halls of residence for Welsh students in addition to becoming a Welsh cultural hub within the university.”

But not all Welsh students back the petition.

First year Countryside Conservation student and Welsh national Tom Moore said: “I think the university represents the Welsh on multiple levels – I don’t see why there is a dispute.

“An opportunity to have a campus in Mauritius shouldn’t be missed.”

The university declined to comment.