HEFCW have been hard at work on the publishing front over the last few weeks, with five circulars for you to read. First up, there was a circular about the arrangements for the Redistribution Exercise, whereby HEIs and directly funded FE colleges may redistribute funded credit values for 2010/11. It also introduces the STEM incentivisation programme which will provide limited funding for 2010/11 to transfer existing credit values into certain activities. Then there are two consultations - one on the principles of management of full-time undergraduate numbers from 2011/2012, and one on proposed changes to the funding system. In addition, there is a circular on regional strategies - about the funding and support which will be made available to facilitate their development and implementation. Finally, there is a circular which announces the allocation of One Wales funding for the development, promotion and delivery of new part-time foundation degree provision, inviting proposals by 7 January 2011.
In other Welsh, the two oldest academic institutions in Wales, the University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College Carmarthen, have been given the go-ahead to merge. The new institution will be called 'The University of Wales, Trinity St David'.