For Our Future - The 21st Century Higher Education Strategy and Plan for Wales

Our vision is one of a higher education community which, through the combined efforts of its members, transforms lives and livelihoods across Wales. It is a vision which sees higher education providers:

• equipping individuals, whatever their background, with the knowledge, skills and attributes to achieve maximum intellectual and personal fulfilment;
• fostering a culture of exploration, discovery and intellectual challenge that generates international recognition, respect and engagement;
• exploiting their knowledge base effectively through working with businesses and employers in and beyond Wales;
• offering flexible, accessible  and learner centred  provision;  
• contributing to the reviving and sustaining of communities and the shaping of a democratic, civilised and inclusive society;
• contributing to the future renewal of the Welsh economy by raising the skill level of the Welsh workforce and by supporting businesses to be become increasingly innovative and competitive.

In order to advance the vision described above, we have set out our expectations which need to be met through the joint efforts of the higher education community in Wales. That is, the Welsh Assembly Government, providers and students, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), Higher Education Wales (HEW), the Chairs of Higher Education in Wales (CHEW), employers and the wide range of stakeholders with an interest in a strong higher education system in Wales.

It is an overarching expectation that these expectations will be met and bring benefits for Wales, in return for the significant investment made in higher education in Wales.