11 minute read
Education
Expert FOCUS
Mehdi Yousefi is the Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead in Computing at Wrexham Glyndŵr University. Here he explains more about this modern course…
How did you get into a career in computing?
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering in 2007 and then worked as a network engineer and security consultant for seven years gaining industry experience. I have always been interested in cyber security and networking, especially the research side of things. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with cutting edge technologies in the area and teaching allows me to share my experiences and knowledge, educating the new generations of cyber defenders and contributing to this vibrant field. When you work in the
cyber security domain, your work makes a difference and it is incredibly rewarding. We’re helping students become security specialists to fulfil the vital and ever-growing
needs of society and industry to protect them against costly cyberattacks.
What can students expect from a computing degree at Wrexham Glyndwr University?
Here at WGU we offer four computing undergraduate degrees; Computer Networks and Security, Computer Science, Computing and Cyber Security. They all share similar modules, branching into different specialisms. Students on our Computer Networks and Security programme, acquire practical applied skills relevant to the current and emerging demands in the cyber security domain. They also gain the ability to master relevant technologies, techniques, and strategies to design, implement, manage and maintain the overall security posture of a system. Secondly, they gain experience in working with real-world scenarios and case studies which provide them with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in cybersecurity and networking.
How can students apply to the programme?
Our open days and online events give students the opportunity to speak to staff and students and make an informed decision about their desired subject area. They are a great opportunity for students to have a face-to-face opportunity to speak to lecturers and observe more about studying at WGU. Our staff here in the computing department are always keen to chat with perspective applicants and answer any questions relating to the course and WGU as a university. In order to get a place at WGU, we encourage students to apply online using UCAS as all applications for admission to full-time degrees, DipHE and foundation degree courses must be made online through UCAS. For further information applicants can head to Glyndwr.ac.uk and speak to our team directly.
What opportunities are open to students after they graduate?
We would expect our graduates to embark on a range of career pathways including government agencies, law enforcement or associated private sector agencies. They can go into supporting specialist roles such as forensic practitioners, penetration testers (ethical hackers), security and forensic consultants or work as a network engineer. It’s such a broad subject area that opens many doors for students. Here at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, we have the support
system, research expertise and facilities you need around you. We work side-by-side with employers, including global giants such as Toyota, Tata Steel, Airbus and the BBC. It’s no surprise that Wrexham Glyndŵr University is number
one in North Wales for getting students jobs, achieving an employability figure of 93% in the latest Destination of Leavers Survey (DLHE).
Why should students choose to study at WGU?
Our academic staff have real-world industry experience so we’re teaching current concepts and can give our students’ real scenarios to work on and help them understand how they can apply the theories we teach them to their future careers. We are proud as a university to be second in the UK and first
can find out about our courses and discover our extensive
facilities and support services to ultimately make the decision whether we’re the right place for them. If the students know what area they would like to study and want to get more information about a particular course or subject, they can attend our online and on-campus subject events. These events in Wales for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022. Not only do we offer excellent teaching, we have a host of learning and support services available to students from our careers team who work closely with students to prepare them for their professional careers, to our award-winning Student’s Union. n
Learning by heart
Sixth Form should be the best two years of your school life. At last, there is the freedom to study the subjects that really excite you, have more informal and rewarding relationships with teachers and make new friends – all while being guided towards the next stage of the journey at university or the working world.
This is something that our teaching staff are fully aware of at Rydal Penrhos. We recognise the strains that any changes might have on our young learners and strive to ensure that they are fully prepared for any obstacle or challenge.
Our staff accomplish this by putting on an exceptional “Stepping up to Sixth” programme that consists of seminars, activities and plenty of fun along the way.
Our recent Higher Education Day kicked things off in a positive fashion and pupils will also get the chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings during Year 11 to Year 12 Bridging Days so nothing will be a shock to them at the start of the new academic year.
There will be fun and bonding aplenty during a specially arranged day out to Alton Towers before the summer holidays and our upcoming sponsored walk from Colwyn Bay to Llandudno Pier provides those involved with a sense of community and what it means to be a Rydal Penrhos Sixth Former.
Many staff members will be on hand during GCSE Results Day in August to discuss A Level options and expert support on the big day, with our aspiring sporting stars set to hone their skills during a preseason rugby, hockey and netball camp in pursuit of hitting the ground running when competitive games commence.
Another exciting event will be The Big Sleepover, which is an overnight stay on-site with workshops, team-building exercises and a motivational speaker visiting to inspire the next generation of Rydal Penrhos Sixth Formers. It’s the little things that make a big difference. Something that’s been at the heart of our success at Rydal Penrhos, with examination results remaining extremely high and impressive value-added scores indicating that our pupils greatly exceed expectations consistently.
Our Sixth Form knows they are lucky and, as such, they work hard to represent the school as impeccable ambassadors giving back to us and the wider community with their energy and enthusiasm.
The Sixth Form experience espouses an ethos of teamwork, leadership and service underpinned by a sense of intellectual curiosity. Effective teacher/pupil ratios and bespoke pastoral care ensure that Rydal Penrhos pupils move forward ready and willing to contribute their skills to the wider world around them.
Tutor groups are deliberately small and caring, meaning tutors can take the time to know their pupils, forging relationships that will challenge them to fulfil their ambitions.
We understand that Sixth Formers are older and more independent – but there are still people on hand to guide and help as they navigate their way through classes, exams and what lies beyond school. n
John Waszek
is the Principal of Rydal Penrhos
EDUCATION NEWS
Myddelton student receives major accolade
Coby Chan, a young science prodigy at Myddelton College has received a major international accolade from one of the world’s oldest science organisations. 17-year-old Coby gained a gold award at the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad in competition against students aged up to 19. He was the only 17-year-old to qualify for the second stage of the annual event, a four-hour exam conducted remotely, which is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and dates back to 1841, making it the oldest and most prestigious chemistry organisation globally. “The recognition from the Chemistry Olympiad is a testimony to Coby’s character and determination to succeed because in that four-hour exam he was really operating at second-year university level,” said Martin Galvin, Coby’s Chemistry teacher.
www.myddeltoncollege.com
Degrees with a difference at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
Are you ready for a new challenge? Maybe you are looking to change career or improve your chances of promotion? Are you looking to study for a degree but you have commitments at home, don’t want to incur exorbitant costs or don’t relish the long-distance travelling? Then look no further! Grŵp
Llandrillo Menai has one of the largest suite of degrees and university-level courses in Wales. The number studying on university-level courses has increased steadily year-on-year. Today, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai
has around 1,200 higher education students studying on 50 different degree courses across its three colleges: Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. Most of the degree courses are offered at the fully-equipped, multimillionpound University Centre in Rhos-on-Sea, with some university-level programmes also available at the Bangor, Llangefni and Dolgellau campuses. In an exciting recent development, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has been approved and
validated by Bangor University to also deliver university-level / higher education courses on its Rhyl campus.
degrees@gllm.ac.uk
St David’s College pupils win national business award
St David’s College is very proud to reveal that three of its business pupils have won a national business award. The 10X Challenge encourages young people to develop an enterprising mind and prepare for the world of work as they develop what business they can create with just £10 in four weeks. A Year 10 dream team comprising of Arwen Fflur, Will Rutherford and Daisy
Slotwiner-Duffell have won the category of ‘Best 10X Business for Good’ in the 11-14 age group. Judges were impressed by the entrepreneurial skills they displayed in developing a business that encourages people to donate their phones and other IT devices, which are then refurbished and then donated to local care homes. “Arwen, Daisy and Will all have worked very hard on this and I am very proud of them,” said business teacher Beth Dexter who guided them through the competition. “The business they developed has very green credentials which obviously impressed the judges.”
www.stdavidscollege.co.uk
EDUCATION NEWS
Coleg Cambria hosts Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt was a special guest at Coleg Cambria’s recent student awards. The event took place at the college’s Yale site in Wrexham, held in person for the first time
since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. “It is an absolute honour and privilege to be here with you,” said special guest Kimberly Wyatt, a star of TV’s Got to Dance, Celebrity Masterchef, Dancing on Ice, and a member of best-selling girl group, Pussycat Dolls. “The college is phenomenal; the facilities are incredible, and I’ve been in awe all day.” Following an inspirational speech in which she looked back on her own life in music, dance, entertainment and having moved to the UK from the US, she added: “Be you, be fearless, be authentic and congratulations to all of you who have put so much hard work into achieving such phenomenal results – well done, everyone.” Her words were echoed by Cambria’s Principal Sue Price, who praised further education (FE) students for the dedication and hard work shown in past years given the challenges of remote learning and selfisolation in lockdown.
www.cambria.ac.uk
Rydal Penrhos scientists win STEM Olympics
A crack team of Year 9 scientists led Rydal Penrhos to victory at a STEM Olympics competition hosted by The Grange School, Northwich. This represents a remarkable achievement from the group, who beat out 30 other independent schools from across Wales, Cheshire and the North West to achieve the distinction. STEM is much more than just science and mathematics concepts. The focus of handson learning with real-world applications helps develop a child or young person’s ability to think outside of the box, to project-manage different scenarios, it enhances creativity and enables pupils to be more prepared for the 21st Century. Keira Luke, Rana Abou-Samra, Fflur Pierce
and David Tate formed the Rydal Penrhos team, who competed in various challenges that included dissection, dentistry, crime scene investigation, model rocket launching, coding and a STEM-themed quiz in pursuit of accumulating the necessary points required to achieve the prize.
www.rydalpenrhos.com
Colin Jackson renews Wrexham Glyndwr Chancellor role
Wrexham Glyndwr University has announced that former Olympic athlete and wellknown media figure Colin Jackson CBE will continue with his role of Chancellor
of Wrexham Glyndwr University until 2025. Appointed in January 2019, Colin is the university’s fourth Chancellor and was officially welcomed into the role at a
ceremony held on February 15 2019. The Chancellor is a figurehead and acts as an
ambassador for the university and its staff and students, attending a number of important duties – including the university’s graduation ceremonies, which Colin recently attended, and representing the university at various events. “I am thrilled to be asked to remain as the university’s Chancellor for another three years,” commented Colin. “It’s a role I’ve really enjoyed having and hopefully I can make up for lost time over the next three years after the pandemic restricted what I’ve been able to participate in for the last two years. Wrexham Glyndwr is a fantastic university and continues to achieve some really great things, including being rated second in the UK for quality of teaching in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and rising 41 places in The Guardian University Guide 2022 league table. Plus, something close to my own heart, retaining the top spot for social inclusion in England and Wales.”
www.glyndwr.ac.uk
Ydych chi wedi ystyried astudio am radd yn y coleg? Have you thought about studying for your degree at college?
• Arbed arian drwy astudio’n lleol • Dosbarthiadau bach • Amserlenni hyblyg
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