Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
Encyclopedia
The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, and an
intermediary body between the Welsh Assembly Government
and the higher education
sector in Wales
.
Its vision is to develop and sustain internationally excellent higher education in Wales, for the benefit of individuals, society and the economy, in Wales and more widely.
The organisation strategically uses resources from the Welsh Assembly Government and others to:
• secure higher education learning and research of the highest quality;
• make the most of the contribution of higher education to the culture, society and economy or Wales; and
• ensure high quality, accredited teacher training across Wales.
In order to
• Enhance social justice; and
• Support a buoyant economy.
HEFCW has five strategic themes:
These are underpinned by HEFCW's 'enabling themes' of:
. HEFCW's responsibilities for initial teacher training (ITT), including the accreditation of ITT providers, are covered under the Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 2004 and the Education Act 2005.
As an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, HEFCW receives its funds from, and is accountable to, the Welsh Assembly Government. At the same time, HEFCW provides advice to the Assembly Government on the funding needs, aspirations and concerns of the higher education sector. HEFCW also promotes Welsh interests in the wider UK higher education arena.
Around 56 members of staff work for HEFCW's Executive, which is based in Llanishen
in north Cardiff
, Wales
. HEFCW is governed by a Council of up to 12 members, including the Chairman, Mr Roger Thomas, and the Chief Executive, Professor Philip Gummett.
intermediary body between the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
and the higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
sector in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
HEFCW business
HEFCW is responsible for funding higher education in Wales. It distributes funds for education, research and related activities at eleven higher education institutions, including the teaching activities of the Open University in Wales. It also funds higher education courses at further education colleges.Its vision is to develop and sustain internationally excellent higher education in Wales, for the benefit of individuals, society and the economy, in Wales and more widely.
The organisation strategically uses resources from the Welsh Assembly Government and others to:
• secure higher education learning and research of the highest quality;
• make the most of the contribution of higher education to the culture, society and economy or Wales; and
• ensure high quality, accredited teacher training across Wales.
In order to
• Enhance social justice; and
• Support a buoyant economy.
HEFCW has five strategic themes:
- Widening access: ensuring equity, opportunity and success in higher education.
- Student experience: ensuring that the student learning experience is of high quality.
- Skills: ensuring that all graduates are equipped for the world of work and for their role as citizens.
- Knowledge transfer: ensuring more productive relationships between higher education institutions and public/private sectors, local communities and other agencies.
- Research: ensuring improved research performance to underpin the knowledge economy and cultural and social renewal.
These are underpinned by HEFCW's 'enabling themes' of:
- Reconfiguration and Collaboration: delivering a reconfigured higher education system with strong providers that, through partnership working, particularly regionally, offers more accessible higher education opportunities.
- Governance: delivering continual improvement in the quality of governance and long term sustainability of the higher education system.
Background and status
The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) was established in May 1992 under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992Further and Higher Education Act 1992
The Further and Higher Education Acts 1992 made changes in the funding and administration of further education and higher education within the United Kingdom. The most visible result was to allow thirty-five polytechnics to become universities. In addition the Act created bodies to fund higher...
. HEFCW's responsibilities for initial teacher training (ITT), including the accreditation of ITT providers, are covered under the Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 2004 and the Education Act 2005.
As an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, HEFCW receives its funds from, and is accountable to, the Welsh Assembly Government. At the same time, HEFCW provides advice to the Assembly Government on the funding needs, aspirations and concerns of the higher education sector. HEFCW also promotes Welsh interests in the wider UK higher education arena.
Around 56 members of staff work for HEFCW's Executive, which is based in Llanishen
Llanishen
Llanishen is a district in the north of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Llanishen is well-known as the home of the 'Tax Offices', the tallest buildings in north Cardiff and a landmark for miles around...
in north Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. HEFCW is governed by a Council of up to 12 members, including the Chairman, Mr Roger Thomas, and the Chief Executive, Professor Philip Gummett.