Latest news with #AcademicFuture
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Cardiff University U-turn as plans to cut music and languages are scrapped
Cardiff University U-turn as plans to cut music and languages are scrapped It followed a public outcry against the closure of the music and modern language departments from the likes of Stormzy and Ed Sheeran Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner has issued a message to all staff (Image: Western Mail ) Cardiff University has announced it will continue offering music and modern language courses following significant pushback against earlier plans to close these departments. The reversal comes as part of a revised proposal approved by the University Executive Board (UEB), which is now set to be considered by the University Council on June, 17. The U-turn follows an outpouring of public support for the School of Music, including high-profile backing from stars such as Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Stormzy. The artists joined growing calls for the UK Government to help protect the department, widely respected for its global impact. Their support added to mounting pressure on university leadership and brought further attention to the cultural and academic value of music education at Cardiff. In a message to staff, Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner confirmed that if the Council approves of the plans, Cardiff University will continue to offer modern languages and music research and education at Cardiff, albeit with revised structures and with a smaller cohort, based within a new School of Global Humanities. The new School will maintain undergraduate and postgraduate Music degree programmes with "revised entry targets and content," and will continue Modern Languages programmes "to smaller cohorts, and primarily in French, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese." It will also seek to expand the university's translation degree provision and sustain its "Languages for All" offerings, with courses shaped by student demand. Article continues below Additionally, the School plans to "develop a new suite of degree programmes to fulfil the ambitions of the new School – challenge-oriented, inclusive, co-created and committed to advancing the Public Humanities agenda." Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here Professor Larner also addressed the decision not to revisit the proposal to discontinue single and joint honours degrees in Ancient History and Religion and Theology. She acknowledged that "this will be very disappointing news for all academics who are deeply committed to these disciplines," but reassured that the university "will of course continue to offer our current set of degree programmes for 2025-26 and are committed to teaching all students entering next September until the completion of their degree in these subjects." Thanking staff and students who contributed feedback and alternative proposals, Professor Larner said, "This input has been key to arriving at these proposals." She recognised the anxiety caused by the Academic Future project and expressed hope that the announcement "brings some reassurance," while noting that "there is much work yet to be done to realise the ambitions of this new School, and I hope you will feel able to play a part in this." Commenting on the announcement, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said: "This announcement will come as a relief for many students and academics who were deeply concerned about the future of modern languages and music at Cardiff University. "However, there are concerns about the ongoing impact of the upheaval and the university's decision to discontinue several programmes. "The uncertainty caused by these prolonged deliberations and closures has undoubtedly affected Cardiff University's reputation globally. For many prospective students, the ongoing turmoil may make them reconsider Cardiff as their first-choice destination for higher education." More details will be shared during a webinar on June 3, with a recording available on Blas from June 4. Article continues below Final approval for the new structure and savings plans is expected following the University Council meeting on June 17.
ITV News
27-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Cardiff University set to scale down music and languages degrees but scrap two others
Cardiff University has announced it plans to close its ancient history and religion and theology degrees, and scale down its music and modern languages courses. The university announced plans to make 400 staff – around 7% of the workforce – redundant and reduce a number of degree courses, initially including nursing, in January, with that number then reduced to a proposed 286 in April, after a number of staff had already opted for voluntary redundancy. In an update sent to staff on Tuesday, Cardiff University's vice-chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, said it now proposes to retain its offerings of modern languages and music research and education but with revised structures and a smaller staff base, within a new School of Global Humanities. That new school would continue to offer undergraduate and postgraduate music degree programmes, but with revised entry targets and content, while also continuing its offering of modern languages programmes, but to smaller cohorts and primarily in French, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. But degrees in ancient history, and religion and theology, would come to an end after students enrolling this September for 2025-26 complete their courses. Professor Larner said: "Having considered the case very carefully, we have decided not to revisit the proposal to cease named single and joint honours degrees in ancient history, and religion and theology. I do understand that this will be very disappointing news for all academics who are deeply committed to these disciplines. "We will of course continue to offer our current set of degree programmes for 2025-26 and are committed to teaching all students entering next September until the completion of their degree in these subjects." Addressing staff, the vice-chancellor acknowledged the "anxiety that the Academic Future project has created for many of you, and I hope that today's announcement brings some reassurance. There is much work yet to be done to realise the ambitions of this new School, and I hope you will feel able to play a part in this." Professor Larner added that the new School of Global Humanities would seek to expand the university's translation degree provision, continue to offer Languages for All "with the languages offered there shaped by student demand", and develop a "new suite of degree programmes to fulfil the ambitions of the new School – challenge-oriented, inclusive, co-created and committed to advancing the Public Humanities agenda". The new proposal will now be put to University Council on 17 June for its approval. In April, the university announced that an 'alternative proposal' had been put forward which would see the university retain adult, child and mental health nursing, with a smaller number of undergraduates being recruited.
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Strike action at Cardiff University called off
Strike action at Cardiff University called off The main union changed its mind after bosses agreed to no compulsory redundancies before the end of 2025 Cardiff University (Image: Western Mail ) A strike and marking boycott by UCU members at Cardiff University has been called off this afternoon. The UCU Cardiff branch drew back on threats of a walk out and disruption after bosses agreed not to make any compulsory redundancies before the end of the 2025 calendar year. Joey Whitfield Cardiff UCU President said: "We are really pleased that UCU members and staff at the university have had the threat of compulsory redundancy removed. "We remained concerned about the future of the university. But we welcome the change in tone and approach and look forward to working more closely with the university in coming weeks." You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here. The university had already said that if staff agree to suspend all industrial action that it would not make any compulsory redundancies of staff connected to the proposed cuts programme before the end of this year. That has now been agreed after talks this afternoon. You can read our story on that here. The university said it was able to do this because of the number of applications for voluntary redundancy currently received. The UCU union held an extraordinary general meeting today (Thurs May 1) to discuss this proposal with their members today.. Article continues below The university said it will publish an interim timetable next week, showing what happens between the end of the cuts consultation and a meeting of the university council on June 17. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here. "That council meeting is the point at which we can give a definitive update on plans and their impact on staff and their at-risk status," the university said. "We want to recognise the very real human impact that the Academic Future project has had, and the level of anxiety felt more broadly across the academic and professional services. Again we have committed to working in partnership together to assess the steps that we can take to ensure that we are looking after the health and wellbeing of our staff." Members of the UCU had planned a walk out on May 2. That is off as well as the planned indefinite marking and assessment boycott, which could have affected graduations. That had been due to start on May 6. The university announced proposed sweeping cuts, including entire department closures, in January. Since then it has agreed to consider not closing the school of nursing The initial 350 job losses proposed have also gone down with many staff taking voluntary redundancy. The UCU and university said they will issue a formal statement later. Article continues below
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Cardiff University issues new statement on compulsory redundancies
Cardiff University issues new statement on compulsory redundancies The UCU union is holding an extraordinary general meeting today (Thurs May 1) to discuss this proposal with their members Cardiff University (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Cardiff University has issued an update on compulsory redundancies with more than 1,000 staff still under threat of losing their jobs. The university said that if staff agree to suspend all industrial action then it won't make any compulsory redundancies of all staff connected to the proposed cuts programme before the end of the 2025 calendar year. The university said it was able to do this because of the number of applications for voluntary redundancy currently received. The UCU union is holding an extraordinary general meeting today (Thurs May 1) to discuss this proposal with their members. Trade unions say that staff still in-scope for redundancy in the cuts "need clarity". The university said it will publish an interim timetable next week, showing what happens between the end of the cuts consultation and a meeting of the university council on June 17. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here. "That council meeting is the point at which we can give a definitive update on plans and their impact on staff and their at-risk status," the university said. "We want to recognise the very real human impact that the Academic Future project has had, and the level of anxiety felt more broadly across the academic and professional services. Again we have committed to working in partnership together to assess the steps that we can take to ensure that we are looking after the health and wellbeing of our staff." Article continues below Members of the UCU put the first planned day of strike action over proposed compulsory redundancies on hold after agreeing to talks with bosses chaired by the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas) on April 30. The union said that as a gesture of goodwill, and to allow time for members to consider any possible outcomes from these talks, it had suspended the first day of its planned strike action All other planned industrial action is still set to go ahead. This includes an indefinite marking and assessment boycott, which could affect graduations, and action short of strike beginning on May 6. The university announced proposed sweeping cuts, including erntire department closures, in January. Since then it has agreed to consider not closing the school of nursing The initial 350 job losses proposed have also gone down with many staff taking voluntary redundancy. The full joint statement of Cardiff University executive board, the University and College Union (UCU), Unite and Unison: Earlier this week, the University and College Union (UCU) agreed to suspend the industrial action planned for Thursday, in order for us to meet collectively to discuss the 'Our Academic Future' project. We had very positive and constructive dialogue, and are grateful to ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) for their chairing. Colleagues from UCU, Unite, Unison and the University Executive Board have all reconfirmed our strong desire to work in partnership together for the benefit of staff, students and our wider University community. The University is able to confirm that, should UCU members agree to suspend all industrial action under the current mandate for 2025, the University will rule out compulsory redundancies for all staff connected to Academic Future or the wider transformation programme, before the end of the 2025 calendar year. The University is able to do this because of the number of applications for voluntary redundancy currently received. The UCU will hold an extraordinary general meeting tomorrow (Thursday, 1 May) to discuss this proposal with their members. Colleagues from the trade unions have emphasised the need for clarity for those members who are still in-scope. Valid questions have been raised about the outcome of the consultation process, and when staff will be informed of those outcomes. We have committed to publish an interim timetable next week, showing what happens between the end of the consultation and the Council meeting on 17 June. That Council meeting is the point at which we can give a definitive update on plans and their impact on staff and their at-risk status. We want to recognise the very real human impact that the Academic Future project has had, and the level of anxiety felt more broadly across the academic and professional services. Article continues below Again we have committed to working in partnership together to assess the steps that we can take to ensure that we are looking after the health and wellbeing of our staff.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Cardiff University denies it is ‘offshoring jobs' despite Tory MP's claims
Cardiff University has denied claims from a senior Conservative MP that it is 'off-shoring jobs' by opening up a campus in Kazakhstan while 400 roles could be cut by the institution. Shadow Welsh secretary Mims Davies told MPs on Wednesday morning the university was moving jobs to Kazakhstan in response to Rachel Reeves' budget last year, which raised employers' national insurance contributions by 1.2%. A 90-day consultation is under way at the university, as it blamed a funding shortfall for its proposals to cut 400 full-time roles and close a number of degree programmes, including nursing and music. Professor Wendy Larner, vice-chancellor of the university, said it was 'no longer an option' to continue as it was without taking difficult decisions. The university said it would make compulsory redundancies only if 'absolutely necessary'. Meanwhile, the university is opening up a branch campus in the central Asian country. It is hoping to welcome its first students in September 2025. A Cardiff University spokesperson said roles 'will not be 'offshored''. They said the university will not be asking any staff to teach in Kazakhstan who do not wish to, nor making Cardiff staff redundant then offering them a contract in Kazakhstan. Addressing Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, Ms Davies said: 'Who is she batting for? Kazakhstan or Wales? Due to Labour's political choices, countless jobs in Wales are at risk due to the national insurance rise. 'It is clear to see the damaging impact it is having in the minister's own back yard with reportedly over 1,800 jobs at risk at Cardiff University, among many sectors who are desperately trying to stay afloat due to the Welsh Government's jobs tax, the Labour Government's impact on the Welsh economy. 'With Cardiff University ploughing on with their Kazakhstan campus, can (she) be happy with the offshoring of these roles in this sector and many others because of the fallout of the autumn budget continuing?' Cardiff University is currently reporting a £31.2 million operational deficit, with proposed changes expected to reduce the total workforce by 7%. On Sunday, former Welsh education minister Leighton Andrews, who is now a professor at Cardiff University, told the BBC 1,800 staff had been informed their jobs were at risk of redundancy. Labour's Ms Stevens said: 'I'm not sure where (Ms Davies) has got this idea about outsourcing jobs from. It was her party that told our universities across the country to go out and recruit international students, which they did. 'And now, because of that, and because of what happened under her last government's watch, those international students are not coming any more. She should again look to her colleagues in the Senedd, the education budget, her party voted against. She needs to talk to her colleagues in the Senedd.' A Cardiff University spokesperson said: 'Our plans to develop our first overseas branch in Kazakhstan are in no way linked to our Academic Future proposals. 'They form part of our commitment to delivering excellent education across the globe. This collaboration, which is yet to be approved, will be one of a network of transnational education partnerships we're exploring. 'Roles will not be 'offshored'. In a recent all-staff update we made it clear that we will not be asking any staff to teach in Kazakhstan who do not wish to. Nor will we be making Cardiff staff redundant and then offering them a contract in Kazakhstan. 'We may encourage some staff to volunteer to teach there – several have already done so because of their interest in the region, or because they have family close by. 'In due course we may also employ staff locally. We also made it clear that there has been no upfront investment from Cardiff University apart from the cost of undertaking due diligence. 'We would be happy to meet with the shadow secretary of state to discuss our plans in detail.'
