A vision for Wales

HEFCW, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, will soon launch their vision for research and innovation in Wales.

I shall have the great privilege of speaking at the launch event in Cardiff on 22 October.

The Vision builds on extensive advice from HEFCW’s Research Wales Committee, chaired by Professor Mark E. Smith, who was recently appointed Vice-Chancellor of Southampton University after a highly successful period as Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University.

The Vision also builds on the recommendations of both Sir Ian Diamond’s review of higher education funding and student finance arrangements and my review of government funded research and innovation in Wales.

HEFCW are in a unique position.

HEFCW are in a unique position. They have a key role – as the Welsh universities funding agency – in public administration in Wales.

They also have a key role in the UK-wide research base as observers on the Council of Research England and part of a network of university funders across the four countries of the UK; and they have yet another key role at the interface between universities and businesses.

Together with other initiatives from the Welsh Government, HEFCW’s vision will help to build the profile and influence of Welsh research across the UK and beyond.

You can find details of the Research & Innovation: Vision for Wales launch event here. This event will give attendees the chance to hear a range of perspectives from speakers and contribute towards discussions on the four pillars that underpin the Vision: excellence, place, innovation and collaboration.