Jeremy Miles: The 1986 Act also requires the institutions to publish and update a code of practice in discharging their duties in respect of freedom of speech, setting out procedures to be followed regarding meetings and the conduct of staff and students in connection with activities specified within the code. I am confident that these duties and universities' other duties under equalities and other...
Jeremy Miles: 'the extent to which students restrict free speech at universities should not be exaggerated'.
Jeremy Miles: A well-respected survey of students released just last week by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that the overwhelming majority of students report that they hear a variety of opinions expressed on campus, including those different from their own, and a similar majority feel comfortable expressing their own points of view. I'm not convinced that there is a substantive threat to free...
Jeremy Miles: I support amendment 166 and have been pleased to collaborate with Sioned Williams on the content of the amendment. Although the amendment does not alter the definition of academic freedom fundamentally, it does clarify that tertiary education providers in Wales that provide research and innovation, in addition to those providing higher education, fall within the scope of the duties imposed on...
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Thank you, Llywydd. As I've stated before, I'm convinced that the language belongs to us all, and that we must keep encouraging and create opportunities to use the Welsh language, particularly in our tertiary education sector. I congratulate Laura Anne Jones on her use of the Welsh language in the Chamber this afternoon. Members will be aware that the strategic duty in respect of promoting...
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: May I thank Laura Anne Jones and Sioned Williams for their support for what we are proposing in this amendment and for recognising the positive and collaborative discussions we had during Stage 2 of the Bill? In terms of the question that Laura Anne Jones asked, it's a matter, of course, for the commission to do this, but the work is already being done in terms of implementing this...
Jeremy Miles: Diolch, Llywydd. Amendment 6 adds reference to individuals who have additional learning needs into section 4 of the Bill, which provides for the strategic duty in respect of encouraging participation in tertiary education. Section 4 requires the commission to 'encourage individuals who are ordinarily resident in Wales to participate in tertiary education'. This amendment alters this section...
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Diolch Llywydd. I call on Members to support these technical but important amendments that ensure that courses provided by way of distance learning by, or on behalf of, tertiary education providers in Wales are captured by the relevant provisions in the Bill, and also make provision regarding the territorial application of the Bill. Llywydd, during the pandemic the tertiary education sector...
Jeremy Miles: Thank you, Llywydd. I welcome this opportunity to consider the amendments to the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill today.
Jeremy Miles: Before I speak to the amendments in this group, I'd like to place on record my thanks to the committees and all the Members for their scrutiny of this Bill, and particularly to those Members who've tabled amendments to the Bill today. Whilst it has not been possible to agree all amendments, may I place on record my assurance to Members that I have considered carefully each and every amendment...
Jeremy Miles: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and may I thank Rhianon Passmore for bringing forward this important debate on music education? As I noted in my recent oral statement on the national music service and the national plan for music education, your passion and your commitment in campaigning on the importance of music education has been second to none. Many believe the plan ought actually to have been...
