Education Minister has today (Monday, 4
May) published a policy statement outlining what the Welsh
Government is doing to support universities and students
dealing with the impact of coronavirus.
The Minister also emphasised her commitment to working with
all governments of the UK and HM Treasury to agree a future
settlement saying ‘the scale of the financial support
required to maintain stability goes beyond what is available
within devolved government budgets’.
The Minister said: “We remain committed to supporting our
universities in their research excellence, with their
UK-leading student experience offer, and as civic
institutions responsible to their communities and to the
nation.
“We have set out a policy statement which covers new and
recent actions.
“As recognised by the sector across the UK, the scale of the
financial support required to maintain stability goes beyond
what is available within devolved government budgets, and we
remain committed to working with all governments of the UK
and HM Treasury on a future settlement.
“We look forward to working on a four nations basis as part
of the university research taskforce.”
In the statement, the Minister outlines new and recent
actions the Welsh Government has taken to address issues
including:
- Managing recruitment
- Maintaining stability for students
- Student Support
- International activity
- Financial Sustainability for Providers
- Research and innovation
The Minister continued: “The Welsh Government is enormously
grateful for the way higher education institutions in Wales
have been dealing with the challenge of the COVID-19 outbreak
and working to mitigate the impact on students and staff.
“They are working in a way that exemplifies a sense of civic
mission, which continues to characterise Welsh higher
education.”
