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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| No students for University of South Wales' London campus | No students for University of South Wales' London campus |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A year after the University of South Wales launched a centre in London, no students have signed up for courses, BBC Wales has learned. | |
| The university set aside a budget of £750,000 for the campus in the London Docklands area and employed four staff. | The university set aside a budget of £750,000 for the campus in the London Docklands area and employed four staff. |
| It rented the space but did not go any further having "tested the market". | |
| Unions previously criticised USW for "wasting money" when it said it was no longer viable to retain both campuses in Newport, placing 90 jobs at risk. | |
| The Caerleon campus is being closed and no new students are being recruited for courses there. | |
| A USW spokesman said: "Withdrawing the London centre project earlier than originally planned was a prudent decision taken due to changes in market conditions. | |
| "The financial investment in the London centre will be included in the university's financial statements in due course." | "The financial investment in the London centre will be included in the university's financial statements in due course." |
| The spokesman added the business case had been predicated on recruiting international students, but changes to visa regulations had "introduced a level of complexity" which had affected the project's viability. | |
| Gareth Morgans, GMB regional organiser for Wales, said: "It's absolutely a slap in the face. Our members feel betrayed by the university. | Gareth Morgans, GMB regional organiser for Wales, said: "It's absolutely a slap in the face. Our members feel betrayed by the university. |
| 'Devastating' | 'Devastating' |
| "I have up to 90 members at Caerleon University in Newport at risk of redundancy. | "I have up to 90 members at Caerleon University in Newport at risk of redundancy. |
| "To them this news is devastating; that such a frivolous waste of money has been undertaken by the university on a venture that as far as we can see was never going to materialise. | "To them this news is devastating; that such a frivolous waste of money has been undertaken by the university on a venture that as far as we can see was never going to materialise. |
| "We understand this is a Docklands property which must have come at quite a price. | "We understand this is a Docklands property which must have come at quite a price. |
| "They've recruited staff there. If this money had been put into Caerleon to repair the building where it needs repair and to recruiting students, I am sure Caerleon could be vibrant." | "They've recruited staff there. If this money had been put into Caerleon to repair the building where it needs repair and to recruiting students, I am sure Caerleon could be vibrant." |
| The MP for Torfaen, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: "Clearly if no students have enrolled on the course there must be very serious concerns about the value for money of the course. | The MP for Torfaen, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: "Clearly if no students have enrolled on the course there must be very serious concerns about the value for money of the course. |
| "What I will be seeking is answers as to precisely why that has happened and indeed why that was given a priority at the same time there were issues with the Caerleon campus." | "What I will be seeking is answers as to precisely why that has happened and indeed why that was given a priority at the same time there were issues with the Caerleon campus." |