MS, Minister for Further and
Higher Education: I wish to update Members on the
establishment of Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and
Research, which became operational on 1 August 2024. Medr is a
new arm's-length body responsible for funding, oversight and
regulation of tertiary education in Wales. It is a momentous
moment; for the first time in Wales we are bringing together in
one place oversight of higher and further education; local
authority-maintained school sixth forms; apprenticeships; adult
community learning and work-based education; and research and
innovation.
Funding for 2024 – 25 is now in place, and Medr is preparing its
first strategic plan in response to government priorities
published earlier this year. The strategic plan will be
submitted to Welsh Ministers in December. I look forward to
working with Medr and the sector more widely to shape and drive
improvement across the tertiary education sector in Wales and
increase and widen post-16 participation. I wish to thank all
those involved for their commitment and hard work which has
allowed us to reach this point.
I'm also pleased to advise three Associate Members joined the
Medr board on 1 September for a period of 4 years. Associate
Members will not only help support the strategic direction but
bring an invaluable perspective of post compulsory education and
training, promoting the needs of learners and the workforce in
tertiary education.
The Members are as follows:
Learner Member: Deio Owen, President NUS
Wales
Education Workforce (academic) Member: Estelle Hart, UCU
Education Workforce (non-academic) Member: Daniel Beard,
Unision
