News release: Shaping the future of higher education in Wales

Abstract

Cannarthen-based lecturer Penninder Dhillon is hoping to help shape the future of Welsh
university education following her recent appointment to the Higher Education Funding
Council for Wales.
Penninder, who lives just outside Carmarthen, took up her three year appointment last
month. She and her colleagues on the council have a key role to play in taking forward the
Higher Education Strategy announced in March this year by Jane Davidson, Wales
Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.
Penninder is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health at the University of Central
Lancashire, where she works on health and ethnicity issues including research, teaching,
equality training and production of learning resources. Working pmt of the week in Preston,
she also spends some time in other parts of the UK working on specific projects.
She has extensive experience of working with the public, private and voluntaty sectors on
equality issues, and is hoping to contribute patticularly to the debate on widening
patticipation, which is one of the main themes driving the new HE strategy in Wales.
"This is an exciting time for higher education in Wales, as we aim to make Welsh
institutions among the best in the world," says Perminder. "The new strategy focuses on
diversity and encouraging people from all backgrounds into higher education. I'm hoping
my knowledge of equality issues, as well as my experience as a senior lecturer at the
delivety end of higher education, will help me make a significant contribution to the work
of the Council."
Penninder, who is also a member of the Alcohol Education and Research Council, will be
expected to commit around one and a half days a month to her new role.
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Notes to editors:
1. For futther infotmation contact Perminder Dhillon on 07703 125674.
2. The HEFCW was established under the provisions of the Fmther and Higher Education
Act 1992. It is responsible for the funding of all higher education institutions in Wales and
has a budget of £327 million for 2002-2003.