Agenda item

To consider a presentation by the Vice Chancellor of Glyndŵr University outlining recent developments in higher education in North East Wales and seeking the Committee’s observations on them.

The Chair welcomed back Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndwr University to update the committee following a recent review on Higher Education – particular in relation to working with local businesses (apprenticeships) and the impact on the local economy.

 

Professor Scott felt that the timing was significant as the report by Sir Adrian Webb had just been published. Although it was too soon to comment he felt that there would be few surprises. It was expected that the report would be discussed in detail in December.

 

Professor Scott reported that it had been a successful year with a review by the professional accreditation body which gave a glowing report as did a review of foundation degrees.

 

Although the change in financing saw a drop in student numbers last year – 645 from Denbighshire - they increased again this academic year. Approximately 22% of Denbighshire’s students go on to undertake Higher Education at Glyndŵr University.

 

The University continues to undertake ground breaking research in the production of mirrors for the world’s largest telescope. In September the University achieved the required level of accuracy for polished mirrors, a world first – 10 nanometers. This accuracy is still to be verified by the European Southern Observatory but the hope is that this could lead to manufacturing, including jobs and apprenticeships in Denbighshire.

 

Other research projects attracting international attention are the diamond cutting templates – producing screen protectors for computer tablets etc - and investigating new production techniques for manufacturing solar energy cells.

 

The Chair thanked Professor Scott for his presentation and opened the floor to questions.

 

Concern was raised over the headlines in the morning’s newspaper that reported the alleged poor ranking of the university in the UK overall. Professor Scott explained that the rankings were misleading as the requirement to submit the information was voluntary. There were establishments within Wales who had not input the data – they may have performed worse. There was a possibility that all those institutions who failed to supply the information in the UK did less well than those who supplied them which could skew the results that the newspaper were reporting on.

 

There followed a discussion regarding the range of courses offered at the University, impact of increased course fees and the prospects for graduates. The majority of graduates gained employment in Wales, 94.2% of graduates gained employment within 6 months. The average starting salary for graduates was the second highest in Wales.

 

Glyndwr University was the first university to differentiate between course costs, the highest fees being for engineering at £8000. Currently the Welsh Government subsidised the fees of Welsh domiciled students, suggestions had been made that the subsidy should only be paid for Welsh domiciled students studying at a Welsh university in future.

 

RESOLVED the Committee asked Professor Scott if he would provide a further written report to them, for information purposes, outlining the following information:

 

1.  current and future developments for the University locally;

 

2.  the educational services delivered for Denbighshire students

 

3. data on Denbighshire student enrolment and qualifications (including progression e.g. apprenticeships, employment or FE)

 

4. information on how the College works with Denbighshire schools and further education establishments which educate Denbighshire residents;

 

5.  financial information i.e. funding and spending;

 

6. partnership arrangements with other educational establishments and industry

 

7.  the University's current priorities, and its long-term vision and ambitions

 

8.  information on how the University's core business is developed and tailored to meet and support the evolving needs of North East Wales'  economic development ambition

 

9. the implications to Glyndwr University of the conclusions of Sir Adrian Webb's review, including the proposal that the University and Coleg Cambria should federate, and how the University is proposing to respond to the review's findings