Welsh students: Don’t stop us from studying in Europe
THE UK Government’s “continued dithering” over Brexit is risking Welsh students’ ability to live, work, and study in Europe, according to the National Union of Students Wales.
The union, which represents more than 330,000 students in Wales, has today written to the Prime Minister calling on the UK Government to ensure that international learning programmes like Erasmus can continue for UK students.
Polling by YouGov for NUS Wales found that 73% of people in Wales believe Welsh students should be able to continue to live and work in Europe after Brexit. Indeed, almost two thirds (62%) of Leave voters shared this belief.
Access to Erasmus+ is key to Welsh students being able to do that. Schemes like it have benefitted Welsh colleges by £2m just since 2014, and the research and innovation scheme Horizon 2020 has benefitted Welsh universities by £46m over the same period.
The open letter, addressed to Theresa May and Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones, and signed by NUS Wales’ national officers as well as the presidents of all of Wales’ university students’ unions, warns that politicians’ inaction could lead to catastrophic consequences for the Welsh education sector.
Their letter sets out seven key demands:
■ The UK Government must listen to the collective, democratic voice of the National Assembly for Wales.
■ The UK Government must ensure Welsh students’ continued access to Erasmus+ post-Brexit. If the UK Government fails to ensure continued access to Erasmus+, the Welsh Government must explore its own options for continued access to the same or similar schemes.
■ The UK and Welsh Governments must work together to ensure longterm funding for EU students in Wales beyond 2020.
■ The UK Government must deliver the continued freedom of movement of students and academics.
■ The UK Government must ensure that there is no loss of fundamental human or industrial rights as a result of leaving the EU.
■ The UK and Welsh Governments must ensure continuous access to the EU’s research programmes.
■ A People’s Vote on the final deal should be delivered.
NUS Wales President Gwyneth Sweatman said: “A No Deal Brexit would be disastrous for the Welsh education sector. Schemes like Erasmus+ give Welsh students incredible, life-changing opportunities to study and work overseas.
“Because of politicians’ dithering, our access to this scheme and others is at risk. I am calling on politicians at all levels to get their act together and make sure that we avoid the worst effects of Brexit. We need continued access to Erasmus+ and to crucial innovation funding. We need longterm funding for EU students in Wales. And we need our fundamental human and industrial rights to be guaranteed. With just months to go before the UK leaves the EU, my message to politicians is clear: a No Deal Brexit would be disastrous for Wales. Do your job, and make sure you avoid these catastrophic consequences.”
Commenting on her organisation’s call for a People’s Vote, Ms Sweatman added: “Calling for a People’s Vote does not preclude us from campaigning to preserve the very things which Brexit risks. That is exactly what we are doing.
“Whether the final deal be good, bad, or indeed non-existent, it is right that the people be given another say, especially now that we know the full extent of Brexit’s effects.”
Mishan Wickremasinghe is the President of University of South Wales Students’ Union and holds a BA in Marketing as well as an MBA. During his undergraduate degree, he spent a year studying at NürtingenGeislingen University of Applied Science in Germany.
He said: “Erasmus, and any other study abroad programme, is essential for future leaders, as they are placed in another education system where they are pushed beyond their comfort zone, and encouraged to learn and grow.”
He said the experience of studying in Germany also gave him a better appreciation of different languages and cultures, and helped him understand what he wants to achieve in life. When he returned to Wales after completing his placement, his grades shot up and he eventually graduated with first class honours.
Dr Hywel Ceri Jones was head of the European Commission’s first department for education and youth policies in 1973, as well as the Commission’s Director for education, training and youth. He played the leading role in designing and managing several EU flagship programmes, including Erasmus,
Now living in Penarth, he is deeply concerned about the threat to the UK’s involvement in Erasmus, especially at a time when the European Commission is considering the doubling of its budget.
Writing in July, Dr Jones stated: “By 2020 the Erasmus+ programme will have involved over nine million students, apprentices and staff. In view of the great popularity and success of the programme as an iconic world brand, and a trusted way for European students to study abroad, the European Commission has now proposed the doubling of its budget to 30bn euros for the period 2021-2027.
“This will permit further deepening and broadening of the programme from its original inter-university base to cover initial and further vocational education and training, building the 21st century profile and capacity of schools, and investment in youth entrepreneurial initiatives and youth volunteering across the EU.”
He said there were serious concerns over the UK’s ability to be part of the programme if there is a hard Brexit, adding: “As the call for a People’s Vote intensifies, this is the moment for all those who attach importance to the UK’s capacity to invest in high-quality research, education and skills development to voice their opposition to the negative dynamics and impact of Brexit.”