£1.5m to aid uni’s Covid recovery

SWANSEA University is to dedicate £1.5 million in extra funding to three initiatives that will help to maintain capacity and aid wider economic recovery in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Welsh Government’s Higher Education Investment and Recovery (HEIR) Fund is intended to support universities to maintain jobs in teaching, research and student services; and invest in projects to support the economic recovery in Wales.

Swansea University’s successful bid has secured funding to support its sustainability, its civic mission, and its work with diverse groups of students, including those in Welsh medium higher education, or from under-represented backgrounds in HE (Higher Education).

The university also demonstrated innovation across a diverse range of areas during the past year, such as support for blended learning, including learning through the medium of Welsh, and providing assistance for early career researchers.

The three initiatives that have secured funding are:

January entry for students: supporting the university’s flexibility in delivering an additional entry point for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in January. This flexibility also ensures a better learning, teaching and student experience and allows for a greater number of students to study at the university. ■ The SEACAMS2 programme: supporting the delayed SEACAMS2 programme, to ensure that it delivers opportunities in low carbon, energy and environment in the convergence regions of Wales. ■ Digital infrastructure: supporting new ways of working and delivering online and blended learning for students.

Professor Paul Boyle, vice-chancellor of Swansea University, said: “This investment is not only a short-term solution to the specific challenges presented by Covid-19.

“It also provides an opportunity for our university to continue to innovate for the future, offering flexibility and choice to our students and maximizing our impact within our wider community.”