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Student financing under review Student financing under review
(about 5 hours later)
Radical changes to student finance in Wales could be on the way.Radical changes to student finance in Wales could be on the way.
Education minister Jane Hutt said the two-stage review would include student debt and widening access, as well as higher education's "purpose and role".Education minister Jane Hutt said the two-stage review would include student debt and widening access, as well as higher education's "purpose and role".
A flagship policy of lower tuition fees for Welsh students at universities in Wales could be questioned.A flagship policy of lower tuition fees for Welsh students at universities in Wales could be questioned.
The Conservatives claimed the assembly government had systematically undermined higher education and raised concerns over the review's timetable.The Conservatives claimed the assembly government had systematically undermined higher education and raised concerns over the review's timetable.
Welsh students going to Welsh universities pay £1,200 in fees rather than £3,000 for students from outside Wales. Welsh students going to Welsh universities pay £1,200 in fees, rather than £3,000 for students from outside Wales.
It costs £61m a year, but it is only guaranteed until the academic year starting in 2009.It costs £61m a year, but it is only guaranteed until the academic year starting in 2009.
But the One Wales coalition document commits the Welsh Assembly Government to keep to current spending levels until the end of the assembly term in May 2011 and the tuition fees bill would rise to £77.9m.But the One Wales coalition document commits the Welsh Assembly Government to keep to current spending levels until the end of the assembly term in May 2011 and the tuition fees bill would rise to £77.9m.
Education minister Jane Hutt said the review was taking place at a crucial time.Education minister Jane Hutt said the review was taking place at a crucial time.
"It is time to refresh the strategy .. and ensure we respond to the many challenges and opportunities faced by higher education in Wales," she said."It is time to refresh the strategy .. and ensure we respond to the many challenges and opportunities faced by higher education in Wales," she said.
REVIEW GROUP Prof Merfyn Jones , vice chancellor Bangor University (chair)Prof Danny Saunders, University of GlamorganRoger Thomas OBE, chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for WalesRob Humphreys, director Open University of WalesProf Robin Williams, school of engineering, Swansea UniversityAlison Itani, director of Wiltan LtdLouise Casella, director of strategic development, Cardiff UniversityBen Gray, president designate, NUS Wales REVIEW GROUP Prof Merfyn Jones , vice-chancellor Bangor University (chair)Prof Danny Saunders, University of GlamorganRoger Thomas OBE, chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for WalesRob Humphreys, director Open University of WalesProf Robin Williams, school of engineering, Swansea UniversityAlison Itani, director of Wiltan LtdLouise Casella, director of strategic development, Cardiff UniversityBen Gray, president designate, NUS Wales
Ms Hutt said it would assess the extent to which student finance is targeted to widen access and encourage take up of priority subjects.Ms Hutt said it would assess the extent to which student finance is targeted to widen access and encourage take up of priority subjects.
The review will also look at how spiralling graduate debt can be tackled.The review will also look at how spiralling graduate debt can be tackled.
The first phase is meant to be complete by September of this year.The first phase is meant to be complete by September of this year.
Ben Gray, president-designate of the NUS in Wales, who has been appointed to the review group, said: "I don't want to pre-judge the review, but we certainly don't want any situation which makes the situation worse for students.Ben Gray, president-designate of the NUS in Wales, who has been appointed to the review group, said: "I don't want to pre-judge the review, but we certainly don't want any situation which makes the situation worse for students.
"The level of student debt makes things incredibly hard for graduate students on lower incomes.""The level of student debt makes things incredibly hard for graduate students on lower incomes."
Conservative education spokesman Andrew Davies AM said the funding gap between Welsh and English universities had grown. Conservative education spokesman Andrew Davies said the funding gap between Welsh and English universities had grown.
He said most graduates were thousands of pounds in debt and the assembly government had failed to act.He said most graduates were thousands of pounds in debt and the assembly government had failed to act.
"I am extremely concerned at the tight timescale involved in this review examining the state of student finances and the obvious impotency of the assembly government to act on many of the factors which lead to student debt," he said."I am extremely concerned at the tight timescale involved in this review examining the state of student finances and the obvious impotency of the assembly government to act on many of the factors which lead to student debt," he said.
The review team will be chaired by the vice chancellor of Bangor University Professor Merfyn Jones.The review team will be chaired by the vice chancellor of Bangor University Professor Merfyn Jones.
After the first phase of the review is completed in the autumn they will move on to the wider question of how Welsh universities fulfil the demands of learners.After the first phase of the review is completed in the autumn they will move on to the wider question of how Welsh universities fulfil the demands of learners.