Cross Party Group on Universities

Wednesday 10 July 2024 / 12.30pm - 1.30pm (Hybrid)

Attendees

Hefin David MS - Chair of the CPG 

Alex Still - Office of Hefin David MS 

Cefin Campbell - MS Mid and West Wales  

Mike Hedges - MS for Swansea East 

Tom Perry - On behalf of Tom Giffard MS 

Ben Lewis – Director of The Open University 

Professor Paul Boyle - Chair of Universities Wales, Vice Chancellor Swansea University (online) 

Professor Rachael Langford - Vice Chancellor Cardiff Metropolitan University (online) 

Professor Elwen Evans - Vice Chancellor, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (online) 

Professor Maria Hinfelaar - Vice Chancellor, Wrexham University (online) 

Gwenllian Griffiths - Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol 

Holly Thomas - QAA 

Georgia Marks - Regional Public Affairs Advisor UCAS 

Rachel Cable - Colleges Wales 

Lucy Morgan - CYPE Committee  

Jamie Insole - Policy Officer, UCU 

Tina Evans - Transforming Lives Case Study 

Sharon Manning - Transforming Lives Case Study (online) 

Antigone Cooper - Transforming Lives Case Study (online) 

Amanda Wilkinson - Director, Universities Wales  

Kieron Rees - Assistant Director, Universities Wales  

Joshua Bell - Public Affairs Advisor, Universities Wales 

Minutes

Hefin David MS opened the meeting with a short introduction.

1. Universities Wales remarks – Professor Paul Boyle

Professor Paul Boyle provided some opening comments. Mentioning the value of university and the impact graduates have on society.

He spoke about the participation situation at universities in Wales, in particular raising concern with the downturn in overseas international students.

2. Case Studies

Three guests shared their individual experiences of studying at university in Wales.

Guests included:

- Sharon Manning MBE (Online) 

- Tina Evans

- Antigone Cooper (online)  

3. Open discussion – led by Hefin David MS

Hefin David MS shared his view that teaching a range lf students was extremely useful when working in academia. The mix of international students and domestic was a benefit.

Mike Hedges MS underlined the importance of international students.

Sharon Manning shared that university was not on her radar. If people want to go to university, they should o it, she shared.

Professor Paul Boyle said universities have changed considerably and need to adapt. He reiterated the concerns relating to participation rates in higher education.

Amanada Wilkinson shared an update on Universities Wales work with the Welsh Labour Government and the constructive conversations with the Cabinet Secretary for Education.

Mark Isherwood MS shared his experience with the group.

Hefin David MS underlined the opportunities to work with the nee government in Westminster.

4. Meeting close

Hefin David MS thanked the attendees and ended the meeting.