If this is indeed the case, I cannot see the Welsh universities as a group surviving until the end of this Westminster Parliament. At least not without absolutely brutal and radical downsizing and mergers. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... - ThreadSky

gsoh31.bsky.social • 28 days ago

If this is indeed the case, I cannot see the Welsh universities as a group surviving until the end of this Westminster Parliament. At least not without absolutely brutal and radical downsizing and mergers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceve8p4w1k0o

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21group.bsky.social•28 days ago

There are Welsh & Scottish elections in 2026

First minister Eluned Morgan is standing in a constituency with 2 universities

As problems in Welsh & Scottish universities are acute, this looks like poor politics

An Oxford-Cambridge corridor is not likely to assuage the Welsh & Scottish voters

enorconhcet.bsky.social•28 days ago

Late 1990s, Ontario, Mike Harris premier: his ed minister, grade 10 education, decrees "Education should be run like a business." University budgets slashed yearly. 6 years later, Con PM StephenHarper begins same process for govt spending from highest level. Now 'austerity' is enshrined forever.

dpcarey123.bsky.social•27 days ago

Started earlier over here

aluneurig.bsky.social•28 days ago

They've already merged to the hilt. South Wales University has consumed nearly most of the HE institutions in SE Wales (Cardiff Met had to fight a rear guard from HEFCW and WG).

claireljones.bsky.social•28 days ago

The old balancing the books trope as usual. Allow unis to charge what they like then! Argh!

gsoh31.bsky.social•28 days ago

Let's face it, game's gone.

dpcarey123.bsky.social•27 days ago

No we can't. And should not, of course.

claireljones.bsky.social•27 days ago

Right. But that's what the government should allow autonomous businesses to do no?

dpcarey123.bsky.social•27 days ago

Governments have encouraged all kinds of private ranking schemes (like good university guides--all privately run for profit!) and then get incensed when Unis game those schemes.

dpcarey123.bsky.social•27 days ago

Government have encouraged us to supplement British student fees with non British student fees, but have now made it more difficult for non British students to come.

dpcarey123.bsky.social•27 days ago

Universities are no where near autonomous. Its a long and complicated story but we are in nowhere near autonomy. 1. We cant charge what we want. Our market is small and govt have removed student number caps so that big Unis can steal as much of the "market" as they want.

claireljones.bsky.social•27 days ago

Yes, I know very well what universities are like. I've worked in them for nearly 20 years. I'm pointing out the obvious inconsistencies in the government's arguments

dpcarey123.bsky.social•27 days ago

ah sorry!

dpcarey123.bsky.social•28 days ago

Just the kind of press that they need. At least the spokeswoman didn't say "financially autonomous".

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