Lampeter university is looking to draw increasing numbers of students from the booming education sectors of China and the Far East in order to survive, town councillors have learnt.

Dr Jeremy Smith, Dean for the Faculty of Humanities and Performing Arts at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, suggested that the establishment of an international academy would help guarantee the future of the Lampeter campus.

But town mayor Cllr Ann Bowen Morgan expressed concern that such a move would change the nature of the faculty.

“How is this going to affect us as a Welsh university?” she asked. “Could the numbers of (homegrown) students be affected?”

“I see the setting up of such an academy as a positive,” replied Dr Smith, “although that does not mean there will not be frictions.”

He was responding to fears at dwindling numbers of students amid speculation over the very future of the faculty.

He said the university was undergoing an extensive ‘restructuring’ process in common with many other universities.

He blamed falling footfall on fewer teenagers applying for university, along with the removal of recruitment caps which had seen larger establishments attract more students, plus a sustained cut in research funding.

“The university is having to address its deficit by looking at what savings can be made,” added Dr Smith.

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