Opportunity to Contribute: Review of Higher Education Governance In Wales

The Review has been remitted to consider whether existing forms of national and institutional governance match the needs, expectations and future requirements of HE in Wales and identify the changes required.

To implement its remit, the Review will need to carry out a thorough, rigorous and analytical consideration of:

• the purpose;
• the underpinning principles; and
• the operational and legislative framework of the current systems of governance in higher education.

In evaluating the current systems, the review has to identify recommendations which will carry forward higher education governance into the future and equip it to meet these challenges.  In carrying out this task the Review will need to consider a number of issues and questions:

• the effectiveness of existing models of national governance including consideration of the relationship between the Assembly Government, the Welsh Funding Council and institutional delivery;
• evaluation of governance within the University of Wales;
• the operational effectiveness of current institutional governance; and
• the role of, and impact upon, institutional governance in overseeing and supporting collaboration, regional planning and merger.

What are we asking from you?

To help inform the Panel and its deliberations we are particularly interested in gauging your views on the issues related to HE governance in Wales so that, if improvements are needed, it can better meet the future learning needs of individuals, society and the economy. To assist in this activity, we would be grateful if, in your response, you could consider the following issues:

• How clearly defined are Welsh higher education strategies at national level and how effectively are they implemented by the Assembly Government, the Higher Education Funding Council, other national agencies and providers?
• How well are  institutional governors empowered and supported in carrying out functions such as overseeing strategic direction, scrutinizing executive decision making and assuring probity?
• How well do current systems of  governor recruitment ensure the involvement and engagement of relevant internal and external stakeholders?
• What  role should governors have in overseeing, and supporting institutional commitment to collaboration and regional planning?
• What arrangements currently  exist for governance of collaboration, partnership and regional planning -including partnership arrangements with other HE providers such as FE colleges?
• Can you provide exemplars of good practice or governance structures which would be valuable to consider and share?