Over the past few weeks, I have written a number of articles on the importance of developing a more competitive economy within Wales and the crucial role of universities in achieving this, especially through the supply of skilled graduates for knowledge-based firms.
Having recently discussed this with various businesspeople, most agreed with me, but they also remain disappointed, and somewhat perplexed, at the current dispute between academic staff and their employers, the universities.
For those of you not too sure what has been going on, the unions representing lecturers across higher education claim that academic pay has fallen in real terms over the past 20 years.
As a result, these unions want a 23% increase in pay over the next three years which would enable staff to close the gap with other professionals and then to keep up with the rise in public sector earnings.
However, to date, the employers are offering 12.6% over the same period, which has been refused by the two unions - Natfhe and the AUT - who have refused to mark exams or coursework since March, and are boycotting exam-setting. As many will know, students at Aberystwyth University have been hit hardest, with more than 50 exams postponed.
As with all disputes, there are two sides to the story. The increased productivity of many academics in the last few years has not been adequately rewarded. In addition, while the pay of academics in Wales has declined in real terms, the salaries of half the vice-chancellors and principals heading Welsh higher education institutions have increased by over 25% in the last three years.
Nevertheless, while having empathy with the lecturers' case, many people are understandably less sympathetic about actions that affect the future of young people at the final stage of their undergraduate studies.
And where does Wales stand in all this? While the lecturers' unions in England state that employers could increase their wages because of extra money coming into universities from top-up fees (and the UK Government said a third of the extra revenue from increased tuition fees should go towards improved staff wages), the situation is slightly different in Wales.
This is because the National Assembly voted to rule out the imposition of top up fees for the foreseeable future and therefore any additional funding for pay increases will now have to come either from the universities' current funding arrangements or from new money supplied by the Assembly Government. Indeed, if the Assembly Government cannot find additional support for the Welsh university sector, this could mean further cuts in investment for a sector which is crucial for the development of our economy.
Given this situation, it is now time the Assembly Government clarifies its position on this situation, although I am not hopeful. When it comes to anything to do with the higher education sector, Ministers continue to repeat the mantra that Welsh universities are independent institutions and should deal with their own internal issues, including pay bargaining.
Yet the majority of funding for universities in Wales comes via the Assembly Government and, of course, higher education is a devolved issue. As such, it is paramount that we, as a nation, come up with our own answers to this problem to ensure both staff and students within our higher education institutions are valued, and that we continue to build a strong university sector that will benefit our economy.
Not to do so would undermine the very principles of devolution and, more importantly, send a message to all involved in the sector that Wales cannot, or will not, develop it own solutions to support its university sector.
Having recently discussed this with various businesspeople, most agreed with me, but they also remain disappointed, and somewhat perplexed, at the current dispute between academic staff and their employers, the universities.
For those of you not too sure what has been going on, the unions representing lecturers across higher education claim that academic pay has fallen in real terms over the past 20 years.
As a result, these unions want a 23% increase in pay over the next three years which would enable staff to close the gap with other professionals and then to keep up with the rise in public sector earnings.
However, to date, the employers are offering 12.6% over the same period, which has been refused by the two unions - Natfhe and the AUT - who have refused to mark exams or coursework since March, and are boycotting exam-setting. As many will know, students at Aberystwyth University have been hit hardest, with more than 50 exams postponed.
As with all disputes, there are two sides to the story. The increased productivity of many academics in the last few years has not been adequately rewarded. In addition, while the pay of academics in Wales has declined in real terms, the salaries of half the vice-chancellors and principals heading Welsh higher education institutions have increased by over 25% in the last three years.
Nevertheless, while having empathy with the lecturers' case, many people are understandably less sympathetic about actions that affect the future of young people at the final stage of their undergraduate studies.
And where does Wales stand in all this? While the lecturers' unions in England state that employers could increase their wages because of extra money coming into universities from top-up fees (and the UK Government said a third of the extra revenue from increased tuition fees should go towards improved staff wages), the situation is slightly different in Wales.
This is because the National Assembly voted to rule out the imposition of top up fees for the foreseeable future and therefore any additional funding for pay increases will now have to come either from the universities' current funding arrangements or from new money supplied by the Assembly Government. Indeed, if the Assembly Government cannot find additional support for the Welsh university sector, this could mean further cuts in investment for a sector which is crucial for the development of our economy.
Given this situation, it is now time the Assembly Government clarifies its position on this situation, although I am not hopeful. When it comes to anything to do with the higher education sector, Ministers continue to repeat the mantra that Welsh universities are independent institutions and should deal with their own internal issues, including pay bargaining.
Yet the majority of funding for universities in Wales comes via the Assembly Government and, of course, higher education is a devolved issue. As such, it is paramount that we, as a nation, come up with our own answers to this problem to ensure both staff and students within our higher education institutions are valued, and that we continue to build a strong university sector that will benefit our economy.
Not to do so would undermine the very principles of devolution and, more importantly, send a message to all involved in the sector that Wales cannot, or will not, develop it own solutions to support its university sector.
Comments