Written - Welsh language developments in Higher Education

As the recess approaches I would like to bring Members up to date with developments in Welsh language provision in Higher Education over the last twelve months, and set out the next steps I intend to take in relation to fulfilling our One Wales commitment to the “Coleg Ffederal”.

In 2007 a Welsh Medium Higher Education Network was established. This has been supported and facilitated by the Centre for Welsh Medium Higher Education. Reporting to Higher Education Wales, the Network has produced a national development plan which is being delivered by Higher Education Institutions across Wales.

An additional £1.3m was made available by the Assembly Government for the work of the Centre and its marketing in April 2007.

To date, to assist in this work and support further developments in Welsh medium higher education I have released an additional £1,823,333 over the 3 financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11.

There is now a need to build on this work, reflect and take the developments to the next stage of meeting our One Wales commitment. I am delighted that yesterday, Professor Robin Williams agreed to chair the Coleg Ffederal Planning Board, which will be made up of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, together with a wide cross section of interested bodies. I want this group to include representatives of all those bodies interested in the Coleg Ffederal, including both academics and student bodies.

The Board’s task will be to set out how our commitment to the Coleg Ffederal can be taken forward and how it will build on the Welsh Medium Higher Education Network’s work to date. The Board will look at possible models for the Coleg Ffederal and how it will work with other institutions in Higher Education in Wales to deliver our aim of increased Welsh language tuition.

I intend to use the summer to discuss, with others, the full membership, scope and remit of the Board and intend to make a further announcement when the Assembly reconvenes.


I would also like to take this opportunity to remind Assembly Members of our progress to date in the field of Welsh medium higher education. The Welsh Assembly Government has committed over £6 million of Reaching Higher funds and key actions funded include:

• The introduction of Welsh-medium postgraduate scholarship and teaching fellowship schemes to expand the cadre of academic staff throughout Wales able to teach through Welsh and increase the provision of teaching materials – to date over £4m has been allocated for these schemes, including £1,352,667 for use between 2008-09 and 2010-11.
• The establishment of subject networks to develop new Welsh medium provision; increase the numbers of staff lecturing through the medium of Welsh and increase the number of Welsh medium learners. As a consequence, collaborative projects have been set up, or are being finalised, in Environment/Geography , Law, Creative industries, Education and Training, Sport and Leisure and Nursing. These Consultation among participating institutions on medium-term plans (three to five years) for Law and completed.
• A network panel for Welsh departments to enable them to contribute to the national development plan is also being established.
• The creation of the Mantais programme which involves targeting potential Welsh medium learners in schools and colleges, promoting Welsh medium higher education opportunities and supporting take up. The work of the Mantais programme has included:
• seven Education Conventions, mainly for Year 12 students, to promote Welsh medium study opportunities held annually across Wales;
• the creation of an Annual Mantais Forum for schools and further education representatives to update them on developments and to enable them to contribute to the Mantais planning cycle; and
• Mantais presence and events at the Urdd and National Eisteddfodau and Royal Welsh Show.
• A new induction programme for Welsh medium academic staff developed in collaboration with institutions. This was piloted in 2007/08 for delivery in 2008/09 and covers topics such as e-learning, terminology and resources, academic writing, research and teaching, assessment, and issues around bilingualism and equal opportunities.