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MONDAY 6TH MAY 2002 / FREE WORD 720
gairrhydd CARDIFF’S STUDENT WEEKLY
Wales could benefit in Uni merger plans
Sarah Hodson reports The whole of Wales is set to benefit if a planned merger between Cardiff University and the University of Wales College of Medicine goes ahead. The Alliance Project, which has been recommended by the National Assembly, plans to create an internationally renowned ‘research-led’ institution that could begin to take shape in as little as two months time. The report suggests that the creation of the new university will not only benefit students at both institutions, but could also make a contribution to the social and economic well being of Wales. Dr. David Grant, the ViceChancellor of Cardiff University who has been leading the debate with the Vice-Chancellor of the Welsh College of Medicine, is excited about the planned partnership. “I believe that this is a major opportunity for Cardiff University as a whole to build stronger foundations for excellence in an international arena.” The moves comes just four months after the Welsh Assembly announced that Cardiff’s alleged desire to pull
out of the federal University of Wales would ‘inevitably’ break up the organisation. It now seems that the move could have been paving the way for the new allegiance between Cardiff and the University of Wales College of Medicine. The talks came about after the National Assembly’s Review of Higher Education recommended that the two institutions should explore how they might work more closely together in order to bring together research and education to benefit
the merger listed on the University of Wales College of Medicine’s website is that for Cardiff to remain as an internationally competitive research-led university it must incorporate a medical school. It is currently the only university in the Russell group, the premier league of UK research-led universities, without a medical department, which could seriously affect Cardiff‘s chances of gaining research funding. However, Student’s Union Academic Affairs officer Ian Hibble was keen to allay fears of teaching being abandoned for research in the university.
“This is a major opportunity for Cardiff to build stronger foundations for excellence in an international arena.”
DR. DAVID GRANT VICE-CHANCELLOR
themselves and Wales as a whole. However, the merger has been criticised by Cardiff students, who already feel that the University is concentrating on research rather than teaching. Indeed, the main benefit of
He said “It is true that being a member of the Russell Group does bring many benefits for the University, but I don’t believe that the merger will mean that teaching will be affected.” “On the whole I think that a merger will be to the benefit of
Heath Hospital would still be the base for Medical Students in the planned merger
students as well as to the reputation of the University.” As the plans are still in their early stages, it is unclear as to how students at both institutions will be affected by the merger. There is a chance that the Welsh College’s Union, the popular Med Club, could be closed down and merged with Cardiff University’s Students’ Union. This would lead to Medical students having to travel to
Female students flashed at on Uni campus Lydia Kirby reports Two final year students were left shocked and frightened after a man exposed himself to them on the University campus. The assault occurred last Monday evening in the alleyway behind Park Place as students Clare Freeman and Emma Price made their way to the Main Building. A middleaged man, walking in the
opposite direction, approached the two girls, revealed his penis to them and started masturbating. He stared menacingly at the girls throughout before walking off in the direction of Cathays Terrace. The girls had spotted the man before he approached them but had not suspected anything unusual. “I could see his hand moving from the distance but
I really thought he was zipping up his jacket or something,” Miss Price said. The man is described as of medium build, in his 50’s with a short beard and dirty white hair. He was wearing scruffy dark trousers and a jacket. Both girls were left shocked by the event and admit it has frightened them off walking down the alley again. “It was only 7pm and students were still walking
about,” Miss Price said. “I’m never walking down that alley again.” Student Liaison Officer, PC Keohane, stressed the importance of sticking to busy roads whenever possible and carrying rape alarms, available from the Union shop. “An assault like this can really shake someone up even if they are not physically harmed,” he added.
Park Place to use the Union’s facilities. The possible closure has caused concern among many Medical students. “It would be a real blow if the Med Club closed down,” said Paul, a third year Medic. “Most Medics socialise there as it is convenient. Our individuality as Medical students could be lost if this merger goes ahead.” However, Cardiff University Students’ Union President Tom
McGarry is sure that the closure of the Med Club was unlikely to happen. “Both Tim Rogerson, the President of the University of Wales College of Medicine’s Students’ Union, and I are keen that any alliance should see both Union’s staying separate and retaining their independence.” The Alliance Working Group will meet again in July to discuss the future of the merger.
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