Strategic framework for Welsh medium and bilingual
higher education
The Welsh Assembly Government has set a target for increasing Welsh medium enrolments in higher education:
- the proportion of Welsh domiciled students in Welsh HEIs undertaking some element of their courses through the medium of Welsh to increase to 7% by 2010
In 2003, HEFCW set up a Welsh Medium Provision Steering Group to develop an initial strategy in the light of the Welsh Assembly Government’s aspirations, with membership drawn from the higher education (HE) sector and other organisations with an interest in Welsh medium HE.
The Steering Group’s strategy was submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government in October 2004, which then approved allocations from the HEFCW Reconfiguration and Collaboration Fund to begin implementing the strategy.
As part of the strategy, Arad Consulting Ltd undertook an independent study on behalf of the HE sector of potential models for the future delivery of Welsh medium provision. It proposed a network model, supported by a national strategic framework.
During the 2006/07 academic year, HEFCW worked closely with the HE sector to consider the future development and delivery of Welsh medium provision. The higher education institutions, through their representative body, Higher Education Wales (HEW), agreed to the establishment of a new strategic framework and development plan for Welsh medium provision.
The framework is led by a Welsh Medium Higher Education Sector Group which has representatives at senior level from all HE institutions. The Sector Group is supported by a co-ordinating group of staff from the institutions and by sub-groups which take responsibility for particular detailed areas, as well as network panels for a range of subjects.
The National Development Plan covers all aspects which influence supply and demand for Welsh medium provision, including developing new provision, increasing staff capacity through scholarship and fellowship schemes, staff development and marketing.
The Centre for Welsh Medium Higher Education provides support and co-ordination on behalf of the Sector Group for the programmes and activities within the National Development Plan.
HEFCW works closely with the Sector Group, individual institutions, the Centre for Welsh Medium Higher Education and the Welsh Assembly Government on the development of Welsh medium higher education provision.
