FE/HE NEWS
Cardiff University launches formal consultation on proposed changes
Cardiff University is undertaking a formal consultation on proposed changes designed to realise its ambitions and secure the University’s long-term future.
The consultation, which runs for 90 days, includes a proposed reduction of 400 (FTE) academic staff and the possibility of School and subject closures and School mergers.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner said: “The precarious financial position of many universities, particularly in the context of declining international student applications and increasing cost pressures, and the need to adapt to survive are well documented. “We know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are. Our new strategy, co-created with our community, lays out an ambitious future for our University where it is collaborative, innovative, and delivering value for Cardiff, Wales and the wider world.
“Securing that future, in the context of tightening finances, means we need to take difficult decisions to realise our ambitions to enhance our education and research, and improve the staff and student experience. “We have worked diligently to create initial proposals for a slightly smaller University, refocused around our core and emerging strengths – a University ready to leverage new academic opportunities, prepare students for an adapting world and meet changing market demands as they arise.
“At the same time as putting forward these proposals to reshape our current activities, we will be working on a new model for flexible lifelong learning, new opportunities in transnational education, and new approaches to learning and teaching.
“Our proposals aim to create a more focused, higher quality research environment for staff and students that is world-leading with cynefin, place and co-creation at its heart.”
The proposed changes include: • a reduction of academic headcount by c.400 FTE (7% of total workforce), using compulsory redundancy, only if absolutely necessary
• ceasing subjects and programmes in Ancient History, Modern Languages and Translation, Music, Nursing, and Religion and Theology
• increasing student and staff ratios across the University, while at the same time revising our approaches to learning, teaching and assessment, and simplifying bureaucratic processes
• bringing complementary disciplines together through proposed school mergers. The creation of the School of Natural Sciences (merge Chemistry, Earth Sciences and Physics), School of Data Science, Computing and Mathematics (merge Computer Science and Maths), School of Human and Social Sciences (merge Social Sciences, Geography and Planning) and School of Global Humanities (merge English, Communication and Philosophy, Welsh, and remaining elements of History Archaeology and Religion and Modern Languages) .
• Professor Larner said: “I know that these proposals impact some staffmore than others and they will cause a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety for those potentially impacted.
The consultation will run for three months and final plans for approval are expected to be considered by the University Council in June 2025.
UCL GBSH announces the appointment of the school’s first Undergraduate Programme Lead
The world’s first business school dedicated to health, UCL’s Global Business School for Health (GBSH), has announced the appointment of Dr Prateek Raj as the school’s first Undergraduate Programme Lead.
With a track record in institution building, research and teaching at universities including the University of Chicago, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and the London School of Economics, Dr Raj will use his extensive expertise to lead the development of the curriculum and enhance the student experience for the new undergraduate Business and Health BSc/ MSci degree. He will also hold an academic role, working as an Associate Professor of Business Management and Health Sciences.
The undergraduate Business and Health BSc/MSci is a major milestone for the business school and expands GBSHs world- leading course offering. The new undergraduate programme will join the Doctorate in Business Administration Health, MSc in Digital Health and Entrepreneurship and the first-of-its-kind Executive Health MBA, amongst others — all designed to educate the next generation of healthcare leaders.
The undergraduate Business and Health BSc/MSci programme will give students a core business curriculum including
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accounting, marketing, finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship from a cutting-edge healthcare perspective. Students will be able to shape the programme around their interests and future career plans through specialist routes, with the option of industry placements and study abroad placement options. The undergraduate programme is the next step in UCL GBSH’s expansion as a world-leading centre for excellence to train the next generation in health and create new ideas to improve patient care. Working with over 600 students from every corner of the world, UCL GBSH offers undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA degree programmes to students who will go on to be the next generation of healthcare leaders — as health is emerging as the most important issue of the 21st century, now accounting for more than 10% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Professor Nora Colton, Director at UCL GBSH, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Prateek Raj to UCL GBSH. His extensive experience in academia and programme development will be invaluable as we launch our first-ever undergraduate programme. His focus on enhancing student outcomes and experience is important as we enter into a very exciting year for UCL GBSH. I look forward to the next phase of growth for GBSH as Dr Raj and I together empower the next generation of healthcare leaders.”
February 2025
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