Politicians Oppose Glyndwr Merger Proposals

© Picture Copyright: Geoff Evans

Labour AMs and MPs have joined together to show their opposition to Welsh Government proposals to transfer responsibility for running Glyndwr University to Bangor or Aberystwyth University.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas described the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales proposals, which could see the number of universities in Wales cut from eleven to six, as “woefully ignorant”.

Another suggestion made by the council was that Glyndwr could merge with the nearby Chester University.

Now a group of three Labour AMs and five MPs have lodged a joint submission of their objections to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales together with Lord Barry Jones, the first Chancellor of Glyndwr University.

Glyndwr, formerly NEWI, only received it’s university status back in 2008 and has since invested in a number of new facilities including the recently opened £5m Creative Industries building which is home to the BBC.

Speaking after lodging the submission, Mr Lucas, MP for Wrexham said: “It is essential for our region that we have a university allied to the needs of North-East Wales linked in to our economy and serving the people we represent.

“It is for this reason that we joined together to support the establishment of Glyndwr University just three years ago.

“We are determined that it should continue to be led from within North-East Wales and that its aims should not be compromised by the agendas of other institutions.

“Glyndwr is the only University in North East Wales and plays a vital role in the community.

“The proposals put forward by HEFCW in July display a woeful ignorance of the needs of North-East Wales and the importance of a university led from within our region.

“If implemented, they would damage the competitiveness of one of Wales’ strongest economic regions.”

A Welsh Government consultation on HEFCW’s proposals closes next month