A plan to merge the University of Wales Lampeter and Trinity University College Carmarthen has been backed by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).

It has been cleared by education minister Jane Hutt to provide £14 million in funding support, including £800,000 a year for teaching.

Says Ms Hutt: "The announcement signifies the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to creating a vibrant and sustainable Higher Education sector in Wales."

A spokesman for the University and College Union (UCU) says: "This is a significant and very welcome announcement from the Assembly Government.

"Clearly, we will need to look carefully at the detail, but it demonstrates a real commitment from ministers and from HEFCW to securing the future of higher education in West Wales."

The merger plan has been created by the universities in an effort to strengthen the provision of higher education in south-west Wales.

Copyright © Press Association 2009 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Morgan Cole have been retained to advise on the constitutional arrangements which will be needed to bring the two existing institutions together and to ensure the future governance of the new University. University of Wales Lampeter is the oldest Higher Education institution in Wales which has a Royal Charter, granted in 1828 to what was then called St. David's College.  The Morgan Cole team, led by Partner Emyr Lewis, will be advising on the changes needed to the Charter and the other complex governance issues involved in bringing both institutions together.