Bangor International February 2017
No. 1 in the UK for Student Accommodation WhatUni 2016
Launch of New Bangor University Centre for Arthurian Studies with a King Arthur focus On 20 January 2017, Bangor University launched their new ‘Centre for Arthurian Studies’, the centre will focus on unravelling the legends surrounding King Arthur and Celtic myths. Bangor University Professor Raluca Radulescu said; ‘The new Centre celebrates more than 100 years of continuous scholarly activity in the areas of Celtic and Arthurian Studies, with particular achievements highlighted by the involvement of Arthurian scholars in the leadership of the International Arthurian Society (of which Emeritus Professor P.J.C. Field was President) and the editorship of the society’s journal.’ Professor Radulescu goes on to say: ‘Bangor University offers the only MA in Arthurian Literature in the world, and Bangor alumni have gone on to international careers in higher education, publishing and librarianship. Bangor University Library’s Arthurian holdings have benefited from the arrival of the
Dolbadarn Castle in Caernarfon
Flintshire Harries Arthurian collection in 2015, and we are proud to be at the forefront of a number of local, national and international events focused on the Arthurian legends’. The official opening of the centre marks a year in Wales where its
legends are being celebrated as part of a Welsh Government campaign to mark the nation's culture and history - Year of Legends. Throughout 2017 events will be held at historic sites the length and breadth of Wales in celebration of its rich culture and heritage. (More on page 2).
In this issue of our newsletter...
l Bangor Celebrates Chinese New Year l Winter Graduation Success Stories
l Take a look at our International Student Newsletter here: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/support/news/international-student-newsletter-christmas-issue-2016-29898
www.bangor.ac.uk/international
North Wales named as one of the top ten regions on the planet to visit in 2017 by ‘Lonely Planet’
A picture taken by one of our students, Megan Kozicki from the USA, of one of the paths up Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain
Travellers who are enchanted by legends, myths and folklore should consider a trip to Wales, as the country as part of a Welsh Government campaign aims to lure in visitors in 2017 during the ‘Year of Legends’, or even better, why not come and study here!
Placed fourth on the list of regions to visit, north Wales is the only UK destination to be featured in the rankings, which are compiled by a panel of the travel publisher’s writers and experts.
The Year of Legends campaign is the second in a series of three themed years, following 2016’s Year of Adventure, in which the country saw record-breaking tourist numbers. North Wales was also named as one of the top ten regions on the planet to visit in
With an emphasis on the country’s legends, Visit Wales notes that the country has more castles per square mile than anywhere else on earth, “offering the ideal playground for anyone looking to explore culture, heritage, myths and legends”. The scenery of Wales – and its connections to the
2017 by Lonely Planet.
famous story – will be highlighted in Guy Ritchie’s new film “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” which will be released in May. The focus on legends comes in the same year that Bangor University launched a Centre for Arthurian Studies, the only place to offer a master’s degree in the subject. North Wales was also praised by Lonely Planet for its host of new adventure attractions, such as Surf Snowdonia, Zip World, and Bounce Below, and all of this is on Bangor University’s doorstep!
The Legend of Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey
Bangor celebrates Chinese New Year This year, Bangor celebrates Chinese New Year – Year of the Rooster – with a Chinese dragon parade and gala on Saturday 4 February, organised by Bangor University’s Confucius Institute. Performers from the Confucius Institutes at Bangor University and London South Bank University will join pupils from Our Lady’s School for a vibrant display of Chinese culture throughout the afternoon. A Chinese dragon, 15 metres long, will wind its way down the High Street, accompanied by costumed dancers and drummers. This will be followed by a gala to celebrate Chinese New Year, featuring Chinese song and dance, instrumental pieces and a special Chinese/Welsh duet of ‘Ar Hyd y Nos’ (All Through the Night). Special guests on the day include Mayor of the City, Councillor Dewi Williams, and local actress Angharad Rhodes, best known for her leading role in the CBeebies television series Melody. 13-year-old Angharad, who will be introducing some of the performances, is currently
learning Mandarin with the Confucius Institute:
“It’s great to be involved with such a fun and colourful event” she said. “I’ve been learning Chinese for two years now, and experiencing Chinese culture firsthand like this really helps me to understand the language and the people better. This is a great event for bringing everyone together and learning more about the world.” Angharad Rhodes
The dragon parade will leave Bangor Cathedral at 12pm on the 4th of February and make its way along the High Street to the Town Clock, where the gala will take place on stage from 12.30pm until 2pm.
More information about the Confucius Institute’s events can be found at: www.bangor.ac.uk/ confucius-institute
Winter Graduation Ceremony Over 300 degrees were awarded to Bangor University students at our winter graduation ceremony on the 15th December 2016. During the ceremony Professor John G Hughes, Vice-Chancellor congratulated graduates and thanked parents, families and friends of the graduates for their support during their years of study. Here are a few of our international success stories...
“Sad that my amazing time here at Bangor and in the UK will be coming to an end” Bao Hoang Vo, from Vietnam - Best Performance in Accounting and Finance A Bangor University international student graduates with pride following a year of hard work. Bao Hoang Vo, 23, from Danang, Vietnam was awarded an MSc Finance postgraduate degree along with the award for Best Performance in Accounting and Finance at the University’s Business School. Bao said: “I have mixed feelings about graduating. I am excited because I am graduating with a good Masters degree and I am also really honoured to have been chosen to receive the award for Best Performance in Accounting and Finance. I’m also a little bit sad that my amazing time here at Bangor and in the UK will be coming to an end.
Bao Hoang Vo
“I was also one of the founders of the Bangor University Vietnamese Society which was established this year. We organised activities throughout the year to enable Vietnamese students to come together to share their student experiences.”
“My learning experience was a most memorable one that I will cherish forever” Suita Manuela Diaz Nolasco, from Honduras - Chevening Scholar Suita Manuela Díaz Nolasco graduated in December after a jam packed year of study and entrepreneurial activities. Suita, from El Progreso, Honduras was awarded an MA Business and Marketing postgraduate degree. She graduated with a BA Communications and Advertising degree from the Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana in 2013 and then gained professional experience working within the coffee industry and the communications field. Suita was also involved in volunteering projects focused on the development of Honduras. In 2015 she was awarded a Chevening Scholarship to study for a Masters degree in the UK. Suita said: “I found Bangor University listed in the Chevening Program. When selecting Bangor, I read about the different support programs that they offer to international students including English support, help with finding accommodation
and entrepreneurship programs. While studying I got involved with many extracurricular activities including being a facilitator for the “Enterprise by Design” scheme, a multidisciplinary challenge which brings students from Business, Electronic Engineering, Product Design and Psychology backgrounds together to work on a real-life business challenge.”
Suita Manuela Díaz Nolasco
Suita also received a £500 Santander Universities Excellence in Enterprise scholarship for showing exceptional commitment to developing her enterprise skills for her work involving her Honduran coffee social enterprise. Suita said: “I had a great overall experience. I had lots of support from University staff, local people and my landlords. I’ve met many people who are now my friends. My whole experience was unique. The personalised support that I have received has made my learning experience a most memorable one that I will cherish forever. During my year at Bangor I have learned about many new things related to coffee. I have a commitment to my country, and my hopes for the future is to be involved with helping Honduras become a safe home for its people and I am very grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given.”
Graduation stories continued... “Every moment at Bangor has been unforgettable” Tran Nhu Oanh Nguyen, from Vietnam - Best performance by a final year Postgraduate Tran Nhu Oanh Nguyen, 22, from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was awarded best performance by a final year Postgraduate in Business, Management or Marketing graduated this week with an MA in Business and Marketing. Tran Nhu Oanh Nguyen said, “Having researched universities in the UK I shortlisted several high ranking universities; Bangor came top on my list. I fell in love with the peaceful surroundings and countless views, the reasonable cost of living, together with its reputation for research and student satisfaction. About her time at Bangor University, Tran said: “Whilst studying at Bangor I applied for an internship overseas at Boston Chinatown Neighbourhood Tran Nhu Oanh Nguyen Centre, Boston, USA which was an exciting experience. I was also a member of the Ukulele Society and established the Vietnamese Society.
“Every moment at Bangor has been unforgettable. I was given freedom, the opportunity to speak, to express and to discover myself whilst studying. About graduation day and her future, Tran said:“Very excited and can’t wait to receive that honored award as a gift for my parents. I hope more and more Vietnamese students will experience Bangor University as I have been so lucky to have such a life changing experience whilst pursuing higher education.”
“Choosing Bangor University has been one of the best decisions of my life” Toghrul Sharifzade, from Azerbaijan - Best Performance in Banking and Finance Toghrul Sharifzade, 22, from Baku, Azerbaijan graduated with a first class Master’s degree and also won an award for his hard work. Toghrul graduated with an MSc in International Finance from Bangor Business School and he also received the award for Best Performance in Banking and Finance. Excited after graduating, Toghrul said: “I am very happy and proud of myself and also for winning the award for Best Performance in Banking and Finance. Choosing Bangor University has been one of the best decisions of my life. I am very thankful to my parents for supporting me from the start. About Bangor and his hopes for the future, Toghrul said: “I fell in love with Bangor at first sight. It is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been to. Bangor University has amazing buildings and history. It was my first time away from my family and it was important for me to study at a University with one of the highest rates of student satisfaction.”
“Bangor gave me a wonderful student experience” Ho Phuong Lan Dang, from Vietnam - Best Dissertation in Finance Hard work and determination has paid off for Ho Phuong Lan Dang, 23, from Tra Bong Khoi Nghia, Quang Ngai Town, Vietnam who not only graduated but also scooped an award in the process. Lan graduated with an MA in Finance with distinction from Bangor Business School and was also awarded Best Dissertation in Finance in her final year. About Bangor Lan said: “The University is known for its leading research quality, especially in Finance. Moreover, Bangor has always been placed top in student satisfaction and gave me a wonderful student experience.
“My time in Bangor has been a memorable experience. Especially conquering Snowdon, it was a wonderful journey. I have received fantastic support from lecturers, staff and students.” Lan has received a Bangor Business School studentship and is studying for a PhD in Finance, her research specialising in banking.
Ho Phuong Lan Dang
Research News Bangor University visits Chile Double fish production while preserving biodiversity – can it be done?
Example of the Oreochromis tilapia species
Bangor University is involved in a new consortium to establish a National Aquaculture and Development Centre (NADC) in Tanzania to help tackle poverty and undernutrition. To develop an aquaculture strategy for Tanzania, 30 scientists representing Tanzanian stakeholders as well as international research organisations met for a threeday workshop in Zanzibar. The meeting was funded by the Swedish "Agriculture for Food Security 2030" (AgriFoSe) programme and jointly organised by University of Dar Es Salaam, Worldfish Malaysia, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Participation of scientists from Bangor University including Professor George Turner from the School of Biological Sciences and Earlham Institute was supported by a BBSRC award from the Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF).
Read the FULL story here: www.bangor.ac.uk/news/ research/double-fishproduction-while-preservingbiodiversity-can-it-be-done30335
Professor Dave Chadwick from the School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography visited Chile on a British Council (NewtonPicarte Fund for Institutional Skill Development) project with colleagues from Rothamsted Research (UK). The aim of the grant was to offer the UK expertise to researchers (at the Institute of Agricultural Research, INIA) and policy makers in Chile to help improve their greenhouse gas inventory for Agriculture. Dave Chadwick led the £6.5M UK Defra/DA-funded project to deliver data to derive new country specific emission factors for nitrous oxide from
Dave Chadwick presenting at the farmer/advisor open day agricultural soils. During his visit Professor Dave Chadwick met with the Ministry of Environment, the Director of INIA in Santiago, and the Director of International Affairs, INIA, Emilio Ruz.
Dr Wei Shi attends international Confucius Institute conference
Dr Wei Shi (right) with Professor Jin Huang, President of China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) Dr Wei Shi, Reader in Law at Bangor University recently attended an international Confucius Institute conference in China. The 11th Confucius Institute Conference, organised by the Confucius Headquarters in Beijing, was held in Kunming on 11 and 12 December 2016. This is the biggest annual event for Confucius Institutes across the world, and it was attended by university Vice-Chancellors, Confucius Institute representatives and ambassadors from 140 countries. In 2012, the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), in collaboration with Bangor University, established a Confucius Institute at Bangor – the first in the world with a legal focus.
Bangor in top 4% of World’s Greenest Universities Bangor University’s commitment to sustainability has once again earned it a commanding position in an international league table of environmentally friendly institutions. In the current UI Green Metric league table, Bangor University has moved up twelve places to 16th position, placing the University in the top 4% of the participating universities. The UI Green Metric, a league table of the world’s greenest universities, was first launched by Universitas Indonesia in 2010 to highlight sustainability and environmental management at universities around the globe. Each year the number of Universities taking part increases; this year
516 universities from 74 countries took part, an increase from 407 universities last year. Vice Chancellor Professor John G Hughes said: “I am delighted that Bangor University continues to make an impact as a sustainability leader within the international higher education sector. This latest league table demonstrates our ongoing commitment to taking
positive action in promoting sustainability and achieving continual environmental improvement”. Dr Einir Young, Director of Sustainability responded to the announcement saying: “Driving environmental improvements and resource efficiencies throughout the organisation is a challenge without end. We recognise that sound environmental management is essential to our aim of developing and applying innovative ways of integrating consideration for sustainability and the well-being of future generations into everything we do, through our research, our teaching and our own supply chain”.
Course Highlights at Bangor University Excitement at launch of Bangor University’s degrees in Chinese With the growth of the Chinese economy and an estimated quarter of the world’s population speaking Chinese, business in the UK and worldwide need employees with Chinese language skills to help them trade successfully with businesses in China. Responding to this demand, Bangor University launched a suite of Bachelor degrees which combine the study of Chinese language and culture with other subjects. The degrees are taught at the School of Modern Languages and Culture which delivers degrees in French, German, Spanish and Italian and which may all be undertaken as a joint degree with Chinese. Other subject areas include: Business Studies Economics Creative Studies Linguistics
English Language English Literature Film Studies
These degrees have been launched in conjunction with Bangor University’s Confucius Institute, a partnership between Bangor University and China University of Political Science and Law.
Visit here for more about our Chinese courses: www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/undergraduate-courses/
You can find out more about Bangor University’s Confucius Institute here: www.bangor.ac.uk/confucius-institute/
www.bangor.ac.uk/international
Useful Contacts Country Managers
Office Contacts
Ali Khan
International Office
Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388874 : Email: a.khan@bangor.ac.uk
IEC, Bangor University Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, U.K.
Country Manager responsible for: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Karen Jones
Tel: +44 (0) 1248382028 E-mail: international@bangor.ac.uk Web: www.bangor.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388207 : Email: k.m.jones@bangor.ac.uk Country Manager responsible for: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Maggie Parke Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388416 : Email: maggie.parke@bangor.ac.uk Country Manager responsible for: The Americas: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, USA
Beijing Office Bangor University Room A029, 3rd Floor, The Exchange Beijing, B-118, Jianguo Road Chaoyang District Beijing, P.R. China 100022 Tel: 010-58902596; 010-58902597 E-mail: luna.wu@bangor.ac.uk Web: www.bangor.org.cn
Michael Rogerson Tel: +44 (0) 1248 383648 : Email: m.rogerson@bangor.ac.uk
Nigeria Office
Country Manager responsible for: European Union Countries
BCIE - Bangor desk Valley View Plaza 99 Opebi Road, Lagos Nigeria
Noor Al-Zubaidi Tel: +44 (0) 1248 382879 : Email: n.al-zubaidi@bangor.ac.uk Country Manager responsible for: Middle East and North Africa including: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Qatar International students in the UK Sarah Jones-Morris Tel: +44 (0) 1248 388843 : Email: s.jones-morris@bangor.ac.uk Country Manager responsible for: Brunei, Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon Central Asia - including Azerbaijan.
Tel: 01 3427672 Mob: 08060136178 E-mail: bangor_nigeria@bcie.co.uk
Bangor International College Oswalds Building, Victoria Drive Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, U.K. Tel: 01248 383 783 E-mail: bic@bangor.ac.uk
Upcoming Visits for 2017 We shall be visiting the following countries between February and May 2017: Pakistan - February Singapore - February Canada - February & March Vietnam - March Malaysia - March
USA - March & April Colombia - March & April China - March & April Ghana - April Nigeria - May
Visit our country visits page for more information: www.bangor.ac.uk/international/visits OR contact the relevant Country Manager.
Please do contact us if you would like one of our international officers to visit your school or if you need any advice. www.facebook.com/BangorUniversityInternational
@BangorUni_intl