What assessment has the Minister made of the quality of education received by students in Welsh universities in light of the upcoming 18-day University and College Union strikes?
Together with my officials, I am in regular contact with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), Universities Wales and employer and staff representatives to monitor the impact of the ongoing dispute and are aware of the efforts being made to reach a negotiated settlement that reflects the contribution and the interests of staff. However as higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, responsibility for financial and employment matters, including pay and terms and conditions, lies with the institutions themselves.
I want to limit any impact that could affect the reputation or future sustainability of the sector in Wales and my greatest concern is the impact on students and staff.
The impact will differ in each university, and within each university, with some schools or departments more heavily impacted than others. This is primarily due to variations in UCU membership. All institutions are aware of the potential for some impact on students and will implement mitigating actions where necessary and possible. HEFCW expects institutions to communicate in a timely and effective manner with their students, and to ensure that all students are supported to meet their learning outcomes, regardless of strike action.