ABERYSTWYTH University should “pull the plug” on its “struggling” Mauritius campus if it fails to increase student numbers, an AM has said.

The controversial campus on the island, initially delayed from its mooted opening in 2014, opened in 2015 to much fanfare - but questions were raised early on as to how many students it had attracted and whether the investment was worth the money as staff were cut and facilities closed at Aberystwyth amid dwindling finances.

The campus lost £375,000 in its first year, as revealed in the Cambrian News earlier this year, with just 40 students enrolling.

Built to accommodate 2,000, it currently has just 106 enrolled students.

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said the venture had been considered an “unwise move” from the outset.

The university has continually said the campus was a “long-term investment” and that the institution was “committed to eliminating losses in Mauritius”.

Mr Thomas said: “The first impressions are this venture is somewhat struggling and is finding it difficult to fulfil its potential as it was advertised at the time.

“Of course, many people thought it was an unwise move by the university to go to Mauritius in the first place.

“The aim of the scheme surely was to attract new money that would support the university in Aberystwyth.

“If that doesn’t happen the plug must be pulled on the scheme.”

A spokesman for Aberystwyth University said: “Our Mauritius campus opened in 2015 as a long-term investment aimed at offering an Aberystwyth educational experience to students from east Africa, the sub-continent and Asia, as well as the island of Mauritius.

“As part of our ongoing sustainability implementation plan, we are committed to eliminating losses in Mauritius.”

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