Uwic has considered mergers with other universities

Members of a lecturers' union at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff (Uwic) passed the motion on Tony Chapman by 93% to 7%.

Lecturers said they were unhappy with the way Tony Chapman is aiming for a merger with another university.

Gordon Harrhy, Uwic board of governors' chairman said he had confidence in the vice-chancellor.

Members of lecturers' union Natfhe passed the vote of no confidence in the strategic leadership of Mr Chapman with 56% of ballot papers returned.

Of those papers returned, 93% (157) voted in favour of the motion of no confidence, with 7% (11) against.

Lecturers have returned a no-confidence vote on Tony Chapman

Margaret Phelan, Natfhe regional official for Wales, said: "July is an awkward time for an academic union to ballot its members as many have started their annual leave.

"Therefore a 56% return rate on a postal ballot evidences the real frustration and anger felt by our membership."

The union said anger had been building among its members since plans to merge Uwic and the University of Glamorgan were abandoned in 2003.

The union said plans to join Glamorgan had been replaced with a scheme to merge with the University of Wales, Newport, which lecturers fear will attract less substantial funding.

'Total confidence'

Ms Phelan added: "Time is running out to secure significant new investment to start to repair the years of under funding in these three higher education institutions in south east Wales."

But Gordon Harrhy, chairman of Uwic's board of governors, said he had total confidence in Mr Chapman's leadership.

He added: "For some time Uwic has sought to meet the challenge of a changing higher education sector addressing the needs of a changing world.

"It is both regrettable and disappointing that as we drive forward with the strategic development of Uwic for the benefit of our students and higher education in Wales, there are still those who have yet to recognise that at the heart of the board's strategy is Uwic's continuing work to meet this agenda.

"I have total confidence in the vice-chancellor and his management team as they seek to deliver the board's policies."

'Put aside differences'

Education Minister Jane Davidson said: "The assembly government strongly supports the outcomes of the report by Cooke and Bull on the future of post-92 higher education in south east Wales.

"The assembly government, with HEFCW, is encouraging the Institutions to plan their future together.

"We welcome the appointment of John Wynn Owen as the new Chair of Governors at Uwic and hope the institutions will demonstrate an ability to put aside any individual differences for the good of higher education in Wales."