More significant university collaborations
Following the recent announcement about the collaboration between the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham there have been some interesting developments in Wales. WalesOnline carries a piece about a new ‘strategic alliance’ between Bangor and Aberystwyth:
Bangor vice-chancellor Professor John Hughes said the university would continue to develop its “trusting relationship” with Aberystwyth, but there were no plans to merge.
“The geographical implications of merging two institutions 2½ hours apart are just not sensible,” he said.
The development follows recent news that three higher education institutions in South Wales are to merge, forming a new “super university”.
Perhaps not that exciting and interesting to note that the first question which is always asked is about whether this is the first step to merger.
The so called super university mentioned here is described, according to the BBC, as a “radical” move which “bridges educational boundaries”. It will comprise the University of Wales Institute Cardiff (Uwic), Swansea Metropolitan University and Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen which will merge as The University of Wales. Others may be encouraged to join in the fun later.
Meanwhile Newport University is reported to be looking to merge with an English institution. It’s all kicking off in Wales where HEFCW has certainly taken on a much more directive role than its English or Scottish counterparts in relation to university mergers.
