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Welsh universities agree on merger 19/7/2002
Plans to put Wales in the premier league of universities have taken two important steps forward.
The Councils of the University of Wales College of Medicine and Cardiff University have agreed in principle to the two institutions merging to create an internationally-competitive research-led university in Wales, with more than 4,500 staff, 20,000 students and an annual turnover of £250 million. The detailed plans and final proposals, including the securing of appropriate investment for merger are to be brought forward before the end of 2002.
In another important development, Sir Graeme Davies, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, and former Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, is to be the independent chair of a merger planning group.
He will oversee the deliberations of a Joint Working Group, which, with the assistance of a number of functional task groups, will consider all aspects of the merger. Even whilst these considerations are taking place, immediate opportunities for strengthening the Partnership between the institutions will be implemented.
The two institutions have a history of collaboration in teaching and research stretching back seventy years and this has been formalised in recent years by the establishment of the Cardiff Partnership Board.
The activities of the two institutions are complementary, not overlapping, and an initial analysis has indicated that there would be substantial social, economic and healthcare benefits to Wales from merger. The established relationships between Cardiff University and UWCM with other bodies, especially with other higher education institutions and with NHS Wales, would be further strengthened.
In a joint statement, the Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University, Dr David Grant, and of the UWCM, Professor Steve Tomlinson, said:
"We believe that merger is a significant and exciting prospect not just for the universities, but for all of Wales.
"The Welsh Assembly Government strategy statement for higher education emphasises the importance of collaborative structures and activities between institutions in Wales. Cardiff University and UWCM are committed to playing their full part in this strategy for Wales.
"The potential benefits, based on the synergies between the institutions, are huge. Securing them will require investment at an appropriate level but we can be confident that the returns on that investment will be substantial. This is certainly one of the areas that Sir Graeme and his group will be paying close attention to."
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