Latest news with #WendyLarner
Business News Wales
3 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Cardiff University to Share in £54m Global Talent Fund to Attract Top Researchers
Cardiff University is set to share in a £54 million fund to attract top researchers to the UK. It is one of 12 leading universities and research institutions which will deliver the Global Talent Fund. It is designed to attract a total of 60-80 top researchers – both lead researchers and their teams – to the UK, working in the eight high priority sectors named in the UK Government's Industrial Strategy, such as life sciences and digital technologies. The UK Government says that each of the selected institutions has a track record of recruiting and supporting top international R&D talent, as well as securing international competitive research funding to the UK. They are empowered to develop their own approaches and plans to spend their share of the Global Talent Fund to attract research talent from the around the globe in their choice of Industrial Strategy areas, including covering visa and relocation costs for researchers and their family members. Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner said: 'We are delighted to have secured this funding to help us attract the world's best minds to Cardiff and Wales. 'It is a clear endorsement of our standing and place in the UK research community and sends a clear message that we are well-positioned to attract global talent. It will enable us to support more of the world's leading academics in Wales – helping to further boost our research capacity and global reputation in key research areas.' The institutions selected to deliver the Global Talent Fund are: University of Bath Queen's University Belfast University of Birmingham University of Cambridge Cardiff University Imperial College London John Innes Centre MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology University of Oxford University of Southampton University of Strathclyde University of Warwick Science Minister Lord Vallance said: 'Genius is not bound by geography. But the UK is one of the few places blessed with the infrastructure, skills base, world-class institutions and international ties needed to incubate brilliant ideas, and turn them into new medicines that save lives, new products that make our lives easier, and even entirely new jobs and industries. Bringing these innovations to life, here in Britain, will be critical to delivering this Government's Plan for Change. 'My message to the bold and the brave who are advancing new ideas, wherever they are, is: our doors are open to you. We want to work with you, support you, and give you a home where you can make your ideas a reality we all benefit from.' The Global Talent Fund is administered by UKRI and is part of over £115 million funding dedicated to attracting scientific and research talent to the UK. In addition to this fund, two fellowships have been launched aimed at bringing groundbreaking AI research teams to UK organisations and labs: the £25 million Turing AI 'Global' Fellowships, as well as a UK-based expansion of the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship. Alongside this, two new fast-track research grant routes have been announced by the National Academies – including £30 million from the Royal Society for a Faraday Discovery Fellowship accelerated international route, part-funded by their £250 million DSIT endowment. The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced a similar fast track international route, as part of its £150 million Green Future Fellowships endowment from DSIT – this funding will ensure the UK competes for the best global talent in science and research. Researchers looking to relocate to the UK can also benefit from the Choose Europe scheme, thanks to the UK's association to Horizon Europe. All will be supported by the Global Talent Taskforce. Launched as part of the Industrial Strategy, the taskforce will report directly to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, and support researchers, scientists and engineers as well as top-tier investors, entrepreneurs and managerial talent to bring their skills to Britain. Work to cultivate top AI research talent in the UK is further bolstered through the Spärck AI scholarships, which will provide full funding for master's degrees at nine leading UK universities specialising in artificial intelligence and STEM subjects. These scholarships will open for applications in Spring 2026. Postgraduate research will also be supported broadly, with £500 million UKRI funding supporting students at 45 higher education institutions to study projects in biological, engineering and physical, and natural and environmental sciences. The IMF estimates that breakthroughs in AI alone could boost productivity by as much as 1.5 percentage points a year, which could be worth up to an average £47 billion to the UK each year over a decade. Other technologies could be gamechangers too: quantum computing could add over £11 billion to the UK's GDP by 2045, while engineering biology could drive anywhere between £1.6-£3.1 trillion in global impact by 2040. Professor Christopher Smith, International Champion at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said: 'Global challenges from climate change to energy security, food systems to antimicrobial resistance do not respect borders, and neither should the research and innovation required to address them. Time and again, international collaboration has driven transformative breakthroughs: from the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN, to the global effort to decode the complex wheat genome, enabling the development of high-yield, climate-resilient crops that support food security worldwide. The impact of global partnerships is clear. 'The Global Talent Fund is a vital part of UKRI's mission to support an open, dynamic, and diverse research and innovation system. By supporting our brilliant research institutions to attract outstanding individuals from across the world and foster collaboration between nations, we are strengthening the UK's position at the heart of the global knowledge economy. This fund aligns with our enduring commitment to international engagement, and to working together to shape a better future for all.'
South Wales Argus
26-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Committee warns Welsh universities in 'precarious position'
This statement comes after an evidence session with leaders of all nine Welsh universities, focusing on their finances and the challenges they face. Concerns raised include declining admissions from Welsh young people, decreasing international student numbers, and tuition fees that are failing to keep pace with inflation. The committee, chaired by Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, stressed the need for "funding security and long-term policy stability." They are urging the UK Government to re-evaluate how universities are supported, in collaboration with the Welsh Government, to ensure a sustainable future for higher education institutions. The committee also noted the significant role universities play in the Industrial Strategy, which acknowledges their contributions to skills and innovation. Professor Wendy Larner from Cardiff University described the situation as "an existential moment for universities," adding that they "need to be different for the future." Professor Paul Boyle CBE from Swansea University highlighted the difficulty of achieving financial sustainability within the current system, saying it "does not lend itself to that sustainability." The committee emphasised the unsustainability of the current system and called for action from the UK Government and its Welsh Government partners as part of "promised major reforms for higher education." They believe addressing these issues is crucial for the economic and civic well-being of communities across Wales.
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Wales Online
The best and worst universities for accommodation ranked by students
The best and worst universities for accommodation ranked by students Bangor was top in Wales at 12th - but one Welsh university ranked 95th Student accommodation in Bangor has been ranked the best in Wales (Image: Bangor University ) The best universities for accommodation have been ranked from student reviews. With students paying an average £139 to £341 a week and far more in London it's a major consideration when applying or preparing to go to university. Last week Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner told a Senedd committee the number one reason students give for not choosing her institution is accommodation. On the latest Uni Compare rankings, out this week, Cardiff comes 95th out of 100 universities compared on accommodation and no Welsh university was in the top 10. Bangor takes the crown for best university accommodation in Wales and 12th out of 100 in the UK. Bangor is followed by Cardiff Met and Swansea comes third. Uni Compare based the rankings on what is says are 28,430 verified student reviews. Rankings were based on considerations such ash modern facilities, good locations, and strong campus communities. The reviews listing is based on reviews of student halls and off-site accommodation. Here we look at how UK universities for student accommodation in 2026, according to Uni Compare's latest student-led review rankings. Article continues below Best university for accommodation in Wales Figures have the UK rank and comparison to last year in brackets. Wrexham is not included in the list Bangor (12 = +17 places) Cardiff Metropolitan (28= +8 places) Swansea University (33 = -6 places) Aberystwyth (52= +16 places) University of Wales Trinity St David (55 =+39 places) University of South Wales (69 +17 places) Royal; Welsh College of Music and Drama (79=+54 places) Cardiff (95 = -43 places) UK's Top 10 Universities For Accommodation 2026 according to Uni Compare Edge Hill University Liverpool John Moores University Newcastle University University of Liverrpool; University of Lincoln Middlesex University University of Derby University of Salford University of Sheffield University of Surrey Uni Compare said: "The 2026 rankings represent the culmination of 28,430 verified student reviews and ratings collected across 209 universities. "Since the platform's inception, Uni Compare has amassed 151,805 reviews and ratings, creating one of the UK's largest student-led review databases focused solely on the university experience. "Uni Compare's methodology combines student feedback collected through their website and mobile app with verification processes, including CAPTCHA checks and IP monitoring to maintain authenticity. Article continues below "The platform uses a hybrid scoring system that weighs both average ratings and review volume, giving greater statistical reliability to institutions with larger sample sizes." The full listing can be seen here.
Western Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Cardiff University cuts ‘could be repeated,' Senedd hears
Wendy Larner, president and vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, appeared before the Senedd's education committee on June 12 as part of an inquiry on higher education. She told Senedd members universities face an existential moment and the financial headwinds 'continue to blow strongly'. Prof Larner said it is an enormously challenging time for the higher education sector – 'not just here in Wales but in the UK and, indeed, globally'. Patrick Younge, chair of council, warned universities do not have a viable business model, with a tuition-fee freeze costing Cardiff £24m more than its competitors from 2017 to 2024. He said: 'If you don't address the fundamentals, all of the Welsh universities will be going through this year on year on year because income is not rising and expense inevitably rises.' Prof Larner said January's 'academic futures' document – which initially included a target to cut 400 jobs – was the beginning of a genuine consultation. The vice-chancellor confirmed the final plan includes retaining nursing, music and modern languages albeit with smaller cohorts and new models. She told the committee the initial target was scaled back to 220, with 151 academic staff leaving voluntarily: 'This leaves a final reduction of 69 full-time equivalents… by 2029/30. Compulsory redundancies are always a last resort.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, questioned the wisdom in proposing changes only to backtrack, 'with resulting damage to staff morale'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, pressed the witnesses about the university's plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan while making cuts at home. Prof Larner replied: 'Transnational education is part of the future for UK universities.' On staff welfare, Prof Larner said: 'We have seen… a little change in stress-related data. As is always the case, the majority of that… refers to personal, not workplace stress. 'But I absolutely understand the challenge here…. I take the well-being of our staff very seriously: this is not easy, change is really difficult.' She criticised the University and College Union for 'blindsiding' the university by going to the press with concerns about a 'total health and safety crisis'.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cardiff University cuts ‘could be repeated,' Senedd hears
Wendy Larner, president and vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, appeared before the Senedd's education committee on June 12 as part of an inquiry on higher education. She told Senedd members universities face an existential moment and the financial headwinds 'continue to blow strongly'. Prof Larner said it is an enormously challenging time for the higher education sector – 'not just here in Wales but in the UK and, indeed, globally'. Patrick Younge, chair of council, warned universities do not have a viable business model, with a tuition-fee freeze costing Cardiff £24m more than its competitors from 2017 to 2024. He said: 'If you don't address the fundamentals, all of the Welsh universities will be going through this year on year on year because income is not rising and expense inevitably rises.' Prof Larner said January's 'academic futures' document – which initially included a target to cut 400 jobs – was the beginning of a genuine consultation. The vice-chancellor confirmed the final plan includes retaining nursing, music and modern languages albeit with smaller cohorts and new models. She told the committee the initial target was scaled back to 220, with 151 academic staff leaving voluntarily: 'This leaves a final reduction of 69 full-time equivalents… by 2029/30. Compulsory redundancies are always a last resort.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, questioned the wisdom in proposing changes only to backtrack, 'with resulting damage to staff morale'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, pressed the witnesses about the university's plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan while making cuts at home. Prof Larner replied: 'Transnational education is part of the future for UK universities.' On staff welfare, Prof Larner said: 'We have seen… a little change in stress-related data. As is always the case, the majority of that… refers to personal, not workplace stress. 'But I absolutely understand the challenge here…. I take the well-being of our staff very seriously: this is not easy, change is really difficult.' She criticised the University and College Union for 'blindsiding' the university by going to the press with concerns about a 'total health and safety crisis'.
