STUDENTS at Newport’s university will be able to complete their current courses with minimal disruption despite the institution’s future merger with another, a university chief said yesterday.

Deputy vice-chancellor Graham Rogers said it was “business as usual” for current students and those thinking of joining the University of Wales, Newport, in September, even though education minister Leighton Andrews plans to dissolve the institution.

He said the minister had made it very clear that he expects the planned merger with Glamorgan University to create one university in south east Wales to cause minimal disruption for students, with all campuses remaining open.

He said: “Any student who starts a course will be able to complete it. In the coming years, the signs outside the campuses may change, as they have before, but inside those buildings the student experience will be enhanced.”

National Union of Students president, Stephanie Lloyd, welcomed Tuesday’s announcement as an opportunity to “blaze a trail towards a bold, new education system”.

She said: “The students I talk to are worried less about institutions and titles, and more about where their course will be, what facilities are on offer and what the job prospects will be like afterwards. This should be everyone’s focus from here on in.”

The proposed merger, which Mr Andrews hopes will also include Cardiff Metropolitan University, could be in place by September 2013.

He made the move towards consultation on the matter after a study by Professor Sir Steve Smith of Exeter University, published earlier this week, found the three institutions were unlikely to survive the medium term on their own.

 

 

City’s university concern

THE benefits of Newport University should not be swallowed up by a merger with Glamorgan, the leader of Newport council leader has said.

Cllr Bob Bright said the council is concerned over the wider impact of the merger, and said the economic and social importance of the university can be seen in the city.

Both Glamorgan and Newport needed to work to protect as many staff as possible from compulsory redundancies, said Mohammad Asghar AM, Tory AM for South Wales East.

A voluntary merger between Newport and Glamorgan needs to ensure the high standards of education in Newport, Plaid South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle said.

Plaid Cymru AM Jocelyn Davies said she hoped that the merger will uphold the excellent reputation Newport has earned, but said she was opposed to a forced merger.