Posted on 25 March 2010
left to right: Dr Medwin Hughes, Vice Chancellor; Nia Griffith, MP; Rt. Hon. Peter Hain, MP; Dr Geoffrey Thomas, Chair of Trust and Nick Ainger, MP
The University of Wales's Vice-Chancellor, Dr Marc Clement and Chair of the University's Council, Huw Thomas, also a Fellow of Trinity University College, Carmarthen, were delighted to be present at a prestigious event held at the House of Commons on Tuesday, 23 March which saw the launch of the vision for a new university in Wales.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David will be created by the University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College, and already the development has secured a £14.3 million government funding package via the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David will build upon the heritage and strengths of Wales’s two oldest institutions and will respond to the economic and social needs of Wales within a UK context.
Secretary of State Peter Hain said:
"The proposed University of Wales Trinity St David, bringing together two of Wales' oldest institutions, will strengthen Higher Education provision in West Wales. It will provide a dynamic environment in which students can thrive. The University's vision is pioneering - and will see the institution continuing to attract students from across Wales, the UK and the rest of the World. I would like to wish the University all the best for the future, as they play a key role in ensuring that Wales' higher education system meets the needs of the 21st century."
Dr Geoffrey Thomas, Chair of Trust and Emeritus Professor of Kellogg College, University of Oxford, said:
“The University will be at the forefront of delivering transformational change for education and training in the region. Our vision is to develop a university renowned nationally and internationally for the quality of its research, the authority of its teaching, the care of its students and its response to the needs of its communities”.
Dr Medwin Hughes, Vice Chancellor Designate of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Vice Chancellor of University Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College added:
“This is indeed history in the making. The collaboration between two of Wales’s oldest institutions will create an exciting and vibrant university not only for students in Wales but also from the UK, and the rest of the world. The vision is to develop a dual sector university that will transcend education boundaries to form cohesive progression routes from secondary schools and further education colleges into higher education.
The creation of the University will present significant opportunities to engage with key agencies, including employers, to provide opportunities for a greater proportion to achieve higher level skills. UW Trinity Saint David provides a unique opportunity to build upon existing academic and service excellence to create a sustainable future.”
Nia Griffiths, MP, one of the co-hosts of the event said:
"I would like to congratulate UW Trinity Saint David on their vision of community outreach, and links with further education as well as industry. The Llanelli Nexus@TheWorks project is just one of the regional centres UW Trinity Saint David has planned in order to develop these links and I welcome this development which will give both local people and businesses opportunities to improve their skills."
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David will provide bilingual higher education opportunities to a diverse student base. It will develop a number of key academies, in partnership with other organisations, to take forward strategic priorities relating to cultural, social and economic development which will not only benefit the region, but also the wider needs of Wales.
These include the Centre for Rural Health and Social Care in partnership with the Regional Health Service, Local Authorities and third sector organisations, The Wales Academy of Heritage to support tourism and heritage within the region, the Associate Faculty to strengthen the seamless pathway for students within secondary schools and FE Colleges, as well as the Skills Nexus, a bilingual multifaceted training and support facility for employers in the region.
One of its immediate priorities is to build upon the existing work with Local Service Boards to form The Public Service Academy which will provide bilingual training and continuing professional development for those working in public sector organisations throughout Wales.
Nick Ainger, MP said:
“The creation of the new Trinity St David’s University in my constituency, will act as a regional hub, linking it with Swansea Metropolitan University, Coleg Sir Gar and Pembrokeshire College, creating a dynamic learning and skills powerhouse for post-16 education in South West Wales. The Skills Hub will build on existing links between industry, further education colleges, schools and higher education institutions. Provision will be tailored to meet the needs of students, employers, and local communities.”
A programme of investment will see the development of enhanced facilities at both campuses, and staff at both Trinity University College and UW Lampeter are already working closely together to bring the two universities together as they prepare to create a new university in time to welcome the first students in September 2010.
Ends
For further information please contact: Eleri Beynon at Trinity University College Carmarthen on 01267 676790 or e.beynon@trinity-cm.ac.uk or Jane Norris-Hill at University of Wales Lampeter on 01570 424799 or email j.norris-hill@lamp.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
The creation of the new university is subject to Privy Council approval, which is expected during the summer months.
Applications for University of Wales Trinity Saint David for the academic year 2010/2011 will be made through existing routes for study at Lampeter and Trinity. More information is available at www.trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk.