Higher education organisations in south Wales unite to better benefit the communities they serve

Cardiff University has joined forces with universities and colleges across south Wales to tackle inequalities.

The South Wales Civic Engagement Partnership (SWCEP) is a partnership between five universities and five further education colleges operating within the Cardiff Capitol Region. It includes the University of South Wales, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Open University, Cardiff & Vale College, The College Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend College, Coleg Gwent and Coleg y Cymoedd.

The strategic partnership formally establishes a co-operative framework for a shared civic mission agenda within the region that will respond to local and regional needs.

Earlier this month, figures from all 10 partner institutions came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, hosted by the University of South Wales at its Treforest campus.

Speaking at the launch event, Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: “Our colleges and universities have a critical role to play in supporting pathways out of poverty, working in partnership with people and communities, and offering a chance for individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together. It is excellent to see the sector’s commitment to this.

“The Commission for Tertiary Education and Research will drive a more strategic approach to civic engagement across all parts of post-16 education and training, encouraging institutions to reach beyond the campus and help promote the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of the communities they serve. This agreement between institutions provides a real opportunity to move this work forward in a very positive way.”

Claire Sanders, Chief Operating Officer at Cardiff University, said: “Together, the South Wales Civic Engagement Partnership can achieve more by working together on our civic mission ambitions. Signing the memorandum of understanding between all partner organisations is a public statement of intent to use our varied and wide range of expertise and resources for the good of citizens – some of whom may never have visited our campuses but deserve to benefit from the institutions that are of and part of their community.”

The partnership’s initial work has focussed on mapping each organisation’s existing civic engagement activities to identify areas of strength, and listening to a range of voices within the community and civic organisations. These important listening exercises will help inform how best the partnership and civic organisations can work together collaboratively to respond to local and regional challenges.

SWCEP Chair, Dr Louise Bright, and Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise, Engagement and Partnerships at the University of South Wales, said: “By hearing what the community organisations have to say, the colleges and universities in the Cardiff Capital Region can work with and alongside them to help address inequalities in the area.

“All of the educational bodies have shown their commitment to working in partnership to improve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of the country as set out in the Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and this partnership strengthens that pledge.”

Jacob Ellis, from the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, said: “The development of the south Wales Civic Engagement Partnership recognises the importance of the Higher Education and Further Education sectors working together to meet challenges in the region.

“Working in collaboration, through the lens of the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, the partnership would be in a crucial and strategic place to listen to communities to help address  these challenges.”