Two Welsh universities have agreed a strategic alliance which opens the way for significant shared academic and administrative functions, while stopping short of a merger.
The governing bodies of the University of South Wales and the University of Wales Trinity St David have agreed to work closer together in a move which they say will better position both institutions for the future.
They have agreed a deed of association which acknowledges maintaining their independence. However, it throws up the potential for job losses through any merging of roles and functions.
The two universities, which have gone through their own respective mergers over the last decade, said they will seek to work together to drive digital innovation, knowledge transfer, research innovation, workforce development, as well as providing a pipeline of skilled students and graduates, in partnership with employers within priority sectors.
With the higher education sector facing huge challenges from the pandemic and its economic fallout, the strategic alliance covers campuses including those in Carmarthen, Lampeter, Swansea, Cardiff, Treforest and Newport. It is too early to say whether any campuses or offices will become surplus to requirement.
A recent analysis by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales warns that Welsh universities could lose between £200m to £400m in the 2020-21 academic year.
The longer term outlook is also uncertain, compounded by fears of escalating geopolitical tensions between the 海角视频 and China, which could see far less lucrative Chinese students, as well as the demographic dip in 18 year-olds.
However, both the University of South Wales and the University of Wales Trinity St David are far less exposed to overseas students than other higher education institutions in Wales, particularly Cardiff University which also has a high number of high fee paying Chinese postgraduates.
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The strategic alliance, although there are already examples of collaborations amongst Welsh universities, could be the first of other such agreements, or even mergers, as the sector grapples with a challenging trading environment and outlook.
Chair of the board of governors of the University of South Wales, Louise Evans, said: “Our aim is to generate innovative solutions to tackle grand challenges. We have a key role to work with the Welsh Government to build capacity and resilience within our communities.
"Exploiting our joint innovation, applied research and supporting the development of higher-level skills across a range of priority sector areas and linked to employers is key to our collaboration."
Chair of the council of the University of Wales Trinity St David, Randolph Thomas, said: “This alliance will enable us to make a real difference, particularly in Wales’ recovery post-Covid, and to assist in developing a sustainable future for the communities we serve, to renew our learning communities and to develop their wellbeing and resilience.
“The recent Covid-19 engagement has reinforced the need to critically reflect upon the need for all institutions to consider flexible arrangements of association so that universities can make a significant contribution to the national recovery engagement. The need for strong and effective universities that are able to address economic, social and enterprise needs is imperative.”
The University of South Wales, formerly the University of Mid Glamorgan merged with University of Wales, Newport, in 2013.
University of Wales Trinity St David was created through the merger of degree awarding the University of Wales and Swansea Metropolitan University in 2012.
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Last week Education Minister Kirsty Williams announced a Covid-19 linked £50m funding package to support universities and colleges in Wales.
The University of South Wales is a far bigger institution with more than 22,000 students and a workforce of around 3,000. The University of Wales Trinity St David has around 11,000 students and 1,500 staff.
Vice-chancellor of the University of South Wales, Julie Lydon said: “Both universities are significant players within higher education provision in Wales. Both represent a strong voice for the post-92 sector and define a very clear agenda for economic and social change in Wales.
"The opportunity of crafting a new direction of travel which addresses the planning and delivery of education and skills development across further, higher and employment-based education through Wales will have a significant impact and will deliver key outcomes which will support economic and civic regeneration.”
Vice-chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity St David, Medwin Hughes, said: “Wales needs to be innovative in its educational system and delivery frameworks in order to establish inter and intra-regional groupings which will enhance economic delivery, support social capital and drive forward greater regional post-16 educational pathways
" In doing so, we will secure greater synergy in our skills delivery and establish far stronger strategic partnerships with government and employers.”
The alliance doesn't include Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gar, which form part of the University of Wales Trinity St David Group.
University of South Wales branch secretary for trade union Unison, Dan Beard, said: "University support staff at the University of South Wales and at Trinity St Davids cautiously welcome the news of this partnership.
“It does have potential to build on the strengths of the two universities and help us set a strategy of growth and give assurance to staff.
" However, we must note that there is little appetite for anything more than a partnership – a university merger would be unwelcome, would be costly and would distract staff from their core missions in this time of uncertainty.
“We recognise we have been given assurances this is a strategic partnership and not the blueprint for a merger, but it would be fair to say we have some reservations and will be upholding our customary role of holding university management to account and being a critical friend over this partnership period.”