College merger sealed by royal charter

The merger decision was taken in 2009

A newly merged university has been given the royal seal of approval.

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has been formally created after the Queen approved an order granting a charter.

On the recommendation of the Privy Council, she directed the Lord Chancellor to apply the Great Seal to the supplemental charter.

The merger involved Trinity University College, Carmarthen, and the University of Wales Lampeter, Ceredigion.

The move was welcomed by education minister Leighton Andrews.

"I am very pleased to hear this news," he said.

"As I said in my recent statement to the assembly, the higher education system in Wales needs to change and change fast to enable it to fully meet the needs of learners in Wales, be better placed to play a significant part in economic renewal and the delivery of social justice and compete internationally.

'Significant step'

"The Welsh Assembly Government has made clear in its new strategy for higher education in Wales, For our Future, that it is vital for universities to build their strengths through greater commitment to collaboration, partnership and merger.

"The creation of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David marks a significant step in that direction."

The merger follows increasing costs and possible redundancies at Lampeter, one of the oldest UK university institutions outside Oxford and Cambridge, with a charter dating back to 1828.

It joined forces with Trinity College, which dates from 1848, in December and the first students will be admitted in September.

Dr Medwin Hughes, vice-chancellor, has said it will create a "powerhouse for education in south west Wales".