Leighton Andrews, Minister for Educations and Skills
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
On 6 November 2012, I made an Oral Statement to the National Assembly welcoming the progress made by the University of Wales, Newport and the University of Glamorgan in relation to their pre-integration activities. The Chairs of both institutions made clear to me then their preference to merge with effect from April this year.
I am pleased to announce that I have signed a Dissolution Order for Newport's Higher Education Corporation. The Order was laid before the National Assembly on 20 March. Subject to the completion of the usual statutory processes, the Order will come into force on 11 April 2013. It will dissolve the University of Wales, Newport Higher Education Corporation and transfer that institution's property, rights and liabilities to the University of Glamorgan. Upon merger, the new institution will be known as the University of South Wales.
My decision to make the Order follows a period of consultation with the institutions concerned, and with other stakeholders. Having considered the institutions' business case for the merger, together with the issues raised by stakeholders and all other relevant information available, I believe that the decision to dissolve Newport and merge with Glamorgan is the right one.
In order to ensure a smooth transition to the new institution, we are making available, through the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, additional funding of £24.8m over the next three years. The creation of the new institution marks a significant achievement and is a big step towards meeting our commitment to establishing a smaller number of stronger universities in Wales. I wish the University of South Wales every success.