SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
INTOUCH
ISSUE 10 / WINTER 2009-2010
Archive Swansea Metropolitan University
January 2008-
Swansea Institute of Higher Education
1992-2007 West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education
1976-1991
Swansea College of Art 1853-1976
Swansea College of Education 1872-1976
Swansea Technical College 1897-1976
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY ARCHIVE The Swansea Metropolitan University Archive is a very new venture and still in the early stages of being set up. We are attempting to catalogue as much material as quickly as we can and the intention is to open for access for research by staff, students, alumni or members of the public. Once we have taken the first steps of cataloging everything, we intend to register the Archive with the National Archive and all appropriate organizations within Wales. Once this has been completed, we will launch the Archive officially at a public event. We will then issue information on what material we hold in a searchable catalogue together with guidance on how that material can be accessed. Hopefully this catalogue will be available online via our Website (http://www.smu.ac.uk), but we do recognize not everyone has computer access, so will place this information in all the libraries at SMU, as well as local Archives and City libraries. In the meantime, if you have any material – photographs, artefacts or documents you would like to donate to the University Archive please contact us. We are eager to make this Archive as complete as possible and therefore would like to have as much information as we can on all the colleges that make up Swansea Metropolitan University’s history. We already know there are significant gaps in that information, and would appreciate help in filling in those gaps. Please contact the Records and Archive Office: Swansea Metropolitan University Mount Pleasant Campus Mount Pleasant Swansea SA1 6ED Tel: 01792 483681 Fax: 01792 481214 Gill Fildes – University Records & Archive Officer Email: gill.fildes@smu.ac.uk Emma Hughes – Records Clerk Email: emma.hughes@smu.ac.uk
SMU ARCHIVE Have you ever wondered how the steep hill of Mount Pleasant was formed or why the houses on the hill are up behind high walls and why the City Council can’t stop the water forming on the hill whenever it rains? Research for the SMU Archive may have found the answer. There is a stream, rising from a spring in Mayhill, which very few people seem to be aware of. This spring has supplied the city of Swansea with fresh, clean water for centuries. It was known for hundreds of years as 'Washing Lake' which is a corruption of the Old English words 'waesse' (meaning wet) and 'lacu' (meaning swampy stream). We found a reference to ‘Washing Lake’ on one of the old deed documents passed to the Archive for safe keeping. To ensure we catalogued this item correctly, we had to track down exactly what this referred to. We have discovered that the ‘Washing Lake’ was in fact a stream, which runs from a field in ‘May’s Hill’ above the original Workhouse (later the Hospital), through the workhouse enclosure and down the side of the road now known as Brynsyfi Terrace. The deed in the SMU Archive refers to land and cottages bought by the Technical College at the start of its life in the 1890s. By the 1700s the stream was used to feed the large tannery that was built on fields on the western side of the medieval town (where the ‘Hanbury’ is on the Kingsway is located). The stream has never been known to dry up and provided much of the western side of medieval Swansea with a reliable source of clean water. The stream still exists above ground at the top of the hill and relentlessly trickles (or pours) down Mount Pleasant when the rain falls. You can find out more about the stream and see some photographs of it on the following website: http://www.swanseahistoryweb.org.uk /subheads/chint.htm
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AN AWARD FOR ALL STAFF, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI AS VICE-CHANCELLOR BECOMES A CBE Swansea Metropolitan University colleagues have congratulated Wales’ longest serving ViceChancellor, Professor David Warner, as he dedicates his CBE to the University’s staff, students and alumni. Professor Warner was awarded the accolade in the Queen’s birthday honours list for services to local and national higher education. Professor Warner came to the, then, Swansea Institute of Higher Education on 1st January, 1998 and is now the longest serving head of a Higher Education institution in Wales. He has previously worked in a school, an FE college and at the Universities of Warwick, East Anglia and as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University.
As well as being Vice-Chancellor at Swansea Metropolitan University, he is also the Deputy Chair of Higher Education Wales, which is part of Universities UK. He has been involved in all aspects of HE management development for a number of years and has successfully undertaken a wide range of consultancies in the UK, currently working, under the auspices of the Leadership Foundation, at the University of Manchester. The Royal honour comes eighteen months after the University received confirmation, from of Privy Council, of its name change from Swansea Institute to Swansea Metropolitan University, following two years of rigorous inspections which were passed with flying colours. “It is not an honour for me as me, it is an honour for me as head of Swansea Metropolitan University” said Prof Warner. Professor David Warner, attended Buckingham Palace to collect his CBE award from the Queen.
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY HAS GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Since the name-change highlights have included a surge in full-time student applications and enrolments with numbers up by 23% on 2007, the biggest increase of any Welsh university. Also, figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) showed that Swansea Met had significantly exceeded its target set by Government for the employment of its graduates, with 94.1% of its students in employment or training within six months of graduating against a target of 92.9%, the equal second best figures in Wales. Another impressive outturn during the University’s inaugural year included figures published in the Grant Thornton Higher Education Financial Yearbook for 2008/9, which showed that Swansea Metropolitan University
had the best financial record in Wales and the fourth best in the whole of the UK. The key table looked at the net surplus produced over a five year period by 159 UK institutions of higher education. During this period, Swansea Met had produced an average surplus of 9.85% on turnover.
Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner said: “Our new title has been extremely well received by our staff, students, alumni and the general public. We have again had an excellent year on by every performance indicator which underlines our contribution to the economy of the region. It is good for Swansea to have two strong universities.”
Despite being an institution that focuses on teaching, the recent RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) results indicated that 60% of the research work which is carried out at Swansea Met is of ‘international significance’, and in some cases ‘world leading’. Research strengths include art and design, engineering and education.
Swansea Metropolitan University inherits a long tradition of educational excellence as its predecessor colleges have been serving the people of Swansea and the surrounding region for more than 150 years. Its School of Art was established in 1853, School of Teacher Education in 1872 and Technology College in 1897.
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HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS FOR LEADING WELSH FIGURES Swansea Metropolitan University awarded Honorary Fellowships to renowned actor Michael Sheen, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Rachel Lomax, cricket legend Don Shepherd, Evening Post contributor Alex Frith, and one of the UK’s leading academics, Dr Geoffrey Thomas, at the University’s Summer Graduation Ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall. Acclaimed actor Michael Sheen was brought up in Port Talbot and, after achieving the prestigious Diploma in Acting from RADA, soon established himself as one of the most promising talents on the theatrical scene. In 2005, Michael received a BAFTA nomination for his role in the TV drama Dirty, Filthy Love and again in 2007 for his performances as Tony Blair in The Queen and Carry On actor Kenneth Williams in Fantabulosa. In 2007, he portrayed David Frost in the much acclaimed Frost/Nixon Debates at The Gielgud Theatre before heading to Broadway in the same role for a further six months. 2008 and 2009 have been two big years for Michael. He has appeared in three critically acclaimed films which include the prequel to underworld, Rise of the Lycans, Frost/Nixon and The Dammed United, based on Brian Clough’s 44 days in charge of Leeds United Football Club.
Dr Geoffrey Thomas attended Maesteg Grammar School and University College, Swansea, where he obtained a first class honours degree in Physics. Thereafter, he attended Churchill College at the University of Cambridge where he achieved his PhD in 1966 and, between 1978-1986, he became Deputy Director of the Department for External Studies at Oxford University. Between 1986-2007, he was the Director of the Department for External Studies and Continuing Education at Oxford and a Fellow of Linacre College, Oxford. In 1990, Geoffrey became the Founding President of Kellogg College, Oxford, a post he held until 2007. Kellogg College was the thirty-sixth Oxford College to be founded and is dedicated to the needs of part-time and adult students. Geoffrey has held a large number of distinguished positions. He was CoDirector for the first UK Survey of the Public Understanding of Science in 1988, Council Member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Washington and the Smithsonian Institution. He is also a member of the International Adult Education Hall of Fame. Between 20002008, Geoffrey was a member of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). Geoffrey has close links with Swansea and Swansea Met. He has a home in Mumbles and is the cousin of local historian and Swansea Met Honorary Fellow, Peter Stead. During his time at HEFCW, Geoffrey took a keen interest in developments at Swansea Met and was a strong supporter of its institutional progress.
SUMMER 2009 GRADUATION CEREMONY VIDEO CLIPS CAN BE FOUND ON THE ALUMNI WEBISTE http://alumni.smu.ac.uk 4
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Cricketer Don Shepherd, born in Port Eynon, Swansea, was one of Glamorgan’s greatest county bowlers, taking more first-class wickets than any other player who never played Test cricket. He began his county career in 1950 as a fastmedium bowler, and was a regular in the Glamorgan team in 1952, when he took 120 wickets. In 1956, Don took 177 wickets, more than any other player in that English first-class season, and he took more than 100 wickets in 12 seasons in all. In 1968, he captained Glamorgan to victory against the Australians at St Helens. Don Shepherd was an integral part of the Glamorgan side that won the County Championship in 1969 and he was rewarded by being named as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1970. He celebrated that accolade by taking more wickets in that season than any other player in the English first-class game.
Few women in the UK have had such an illustrious career as Swansea-born Rachel Lomax. She was Deputy Governor of the Bank of England (Monetary Stability) between 2003-08 and Deputy Chair of the Monetary Policy Committee. She was also the Central Bank Deputy on the G7, IMF and ECB groups. As Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Rachel had line management responsibility for monetary analysis and markets, finance, project IT and risk management. Previously, she was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport (2002-03) and Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions and Social Security (1999-2002). Between 1996-1999, Rachel was Permanent Secretary at the Welsh Office, a role in which she led the official preparations for devolution and the establishment of the Welsh Assembly. Before that, she held major responsibilities at the World Bank, was Head of the Economic and Domestic Secretariat at the Cabinet Office, and held major posts in Her Majesty’s Treasury, including being Deputy Secretary/Deputy Chief Economic Adviser (1990-1994), under Secretary (1986-1990), Principal Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1985-1986) and Senior Economic Adviser (1978-1984).
Alex Frith is well known, particularly within the younger community, across the Swansea Bay region. Inspired by stories she created for her own children, Alex reprised her story-telling capabilities within a weekly column in the South Wales Evening Post. In 1986, she proposed an idea to the paper to produce her stories into a onenight show at The Grand Theatre. Such was the success of the evening that the show takes place annually and is now in its 23rd year. Then, in 1992, Alex conceived the idea of putting on a show for older children, a celebration of talent. The Best is Yet to Come is performed at the Swansea Grand Theatre, for one night, three times a year and all the money raised goes to charity. To date, Alex has raised over a quarter of a million pounds for various charities.
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
TOP TEACHING JOB FOR MET GRADUATE Harrow International School in Bangkok, Thailand.
Swansea Met teaching graduate Matthew Rees (left) with some of his students at Harrow International School in Bangkok. An Alumnus of Swansea Metropolitan University has broadened his horizons after leaving Swansea to take up a prominent position as Head of Economics and Business Studies at
Matthew Rees, originally from Ammanford, graduated with a PGCE Business Studies qualification from the School of Education in 2000. He then gained a teaching post at Chosen Hill School, Gloucester, where he spent four years teaching both Economics and Business Studies at GCSE and A Level.
Three years into the job he began to take an interest in teaching abroad and started researching countries and leading schools within the regions he wanted to work in. It was then that he came across a vacancy at Harrow International School
in the Business Studies and Economics department. Harrow International School seeks to draw on the reputation and traditions of one of Britain’s leading independent Schools, Harrow School in Middlesex, the unique context and international diversity of its host culture in Thailand, and the attributes of British curricula, qualifications and teachers. Not only is Matthew now Head of Department, he has recently taken on the role of Head of Careers and Assistant Head of the Sixth Form. Simon Evans, PGCE Business Studies Programme Director said: “It is great to see Swansea Met teachers making a major impact to young people’s achievement in so many ways and building world-class careers for themselves.”
TOP OF THE CLASS FOR MET-EDUCATED TEACHER A teaching graduate from Swansea Metropolitan University has won the Specialist Schools and Academics Trust (SSAT) Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year in Wales. Cathy Young, originally from Llanelli, now holds a teaching post in Pembroke School, Pembrokeshire, after studying for her PGCE in Spanish and French at Swansea Met’s School of Education. Cathy’s aim in teaching is to raise the uptake of languages at GCSE and A-level through her lessons, which are always inspiring, fun and innovative. In fact, when she felt some of her Spanish class needed a little extra encouragement and motivation, she asked Swansea City’s Spanish-speaking contingent of footballers to come and talk to pupils.
for Learning techniques and raising student awareness of success criteria in languages. As a result of her innovative style, her students’ attainment results are well above the levels predicted from prior attainment data. In just six months, Cathy has brought all of her year 7 pupils from no knowledge of Spanish to high level 4 – well above average for the year group.
placements at Greenhill School, Tenby, and Bryn Hafren, Barry, providing her with all of the skills needed to gain qualified teaching status. Cathy said: “I was very shocked to even get to the final of the awards and even more surprised when I heard my name as the winner!”
One senior colleague said a lesson observed with Cathy at the end of the NQT year was “the strongest lesson I have ever seen by any teacher in any school. Quite simply, it was outstanding at all levels.” During her time at Swansea Met, Cathy completed her practical teaching
Cathy is only in her second year of teaching but has already managed to impress both colleagues and students with her high-energy approach to the job. Through the award, she was recognised for her outstanding contribution to education and excellent awareness of pupils individual learning styles. She is now working hard on enhancing her Assessment
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Cathy Young after receiving her Outstanding New Teacher of the Year in Wales award.
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GRADUATION SUCCESS FOR SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT Louise Higgins, originally from Buckingham, was chosen as a recipient of the scholarship last year by its donator, Francis Morgan. Francis, originally from Ravenhill, attended Swansea Met back in the 1960s, when it was then known as Swansea College of Art, and studied a two-year course which was the equivalent of the University’s foundation degree in art and design.
Louise Higgins at her graduation ceremony in the Brangwyn Hall recently. A Swansea Metropolitan University student, who was awarded a scholarship thanks to a generous donation from a successful alumnus has graduated.
Britain things have changed and it’s not easy to obtain financial help, resulting in students either not being able to continue with their studies or not having sufficient funds to even start. “I feel that a lot of talent in the field of art and design will be wasted. I want to try to help retain that talent. I would also like to support my old institution and help it receive the international recognition it deserves by recruiting and retaining the best students and turning out top quality designers and illustrators.”
After graduating in Graphic Design in the 1960s, Francis began his career in London and worked there for 10 years before relocating to California. He set up a very successful Graphic Design company called Morgan-Cain and Associates which Francis sold his interest in to his business partner in 2006. After visiting Swansea Met last year, Francis decided he would like to make a donation to the Graphics and Illustration Departments in the form of monetary scholarships.
Louise said: “The scholarship helped me in many ways. It meant that I could push my work further.
Francis commented: “I checked the University website a few years ago and was impressed with the progress it had made since I attended. I then visited the University last year and was very impressed with the work that is being done by the students in the Graphic Design, Illustration and Advertising Design Departments.”
“I plan to work within advertising, in a creative position, or possibly move across into the Marketing or PR side of the industry. I am finding my feet a bit at the moment and following our exhibition at New Blood, in London, I have made some contacts at a London Agency who are giving me some help and advice about my portfolio and my future.
He continued: “As a student I was fortunate to have a government grant that was enough to live on at the time. However, I have become aware that in
Eventually I plan to set up on my own but currently I am looking for my first job and to get some experience under my belt.”
Among the three students who were awarded the first scholarships from the fund was, then, second year student Louise Higgins, who has now successfully graduated from the university’s design for advertising programme.
VOLUNTARY GIFTS - GOVERNMENT MATCHED FUNDING SCHEME LAUNCHED Donations are becoming increasingly important to Universities and as such a scheme to match fund voluntary gifts to higher education has been launched. The Scheme will encourage Welsh Universities to increase and expand their fundraising with the incentive that any donation given from alumni and other individuals to the University, the University is guaranteed additional government matched funding. Every £1.00 raised will be matched in full.
A donation of £1,000 would mean that the University would receive a further £1,000 from the government. Unrestricted gifts are the way in which to make an immediate difference to the lives of current students. A gift will ensure that we are able to maintain and enhance the lives of Swansea Metropolitan University’s students. Your support will have a direct and positive result allowing us to invest in areas of excellence, provide bursaries for our students, and develop physical resources which advance our teaching and research.
If you would like more information or wish to make a voluntary donation no matter how big or small to the University please contact the Alumni Office or make a cheque payable to Swansea Metropolitan University and address it to the Alumni Office. We will publish the names of the donors in the next Alumni Newsletter unless the donor wishes to remain anonomous. Thank you in advance, your gift is an investment in the future of our students.
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY CAREERS SERVICE Whether you are returning from travelling, considering further study, or a career change or more general career advice, all alumni are welcomed back by the University Careers Service to use its facilities and expertise. We have a range of services and information sources to help. Visit www.smu.ac.uk Quick Links Services for Students/Careers Service for contact details and further information Careers Centre staff will be pleased to answer any of your queries. Enquiries to careers@smu.ac.uk
DID YOU COMPLETE A COURSE AT SMU IN 2009? ANNUAL DESTINATION OF LEAVERS SURVEY (DLHE) The Destination Survey is undertaken by the Swansea Metropolitan University Careers Service on behalf of the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA). Every year leavers from UK higher education institutions are contacted to find out what they are doing six months after graduation, whether they are in employment, continuing their education etc. We would be really grateful if you would complete your questionnaire and return it as soon as possible to us in the pre – paid envelope provided. For information contact:
Shirley.davies@smu.ac.uk • 01792 481213
SMU Careers Service 2009
MSc Facilities Management This programme has been designed to provide graduates with the knowledge, managerial skill and specialist expertise to successfully undertake Facilities Management, and to enhance their career development. Facilities Managers are required to have a broad range of understanding in areas such as ‘hard services’ (e.g. building fabric and building engineering services) and ‘soft services’ (e.g. catering, cleaning, security and Health & Safety etc). Programme Aims • To promote an in-depth understanding of the nature of Facilities Management, within a contemporary academic research based context; • To produce managers capable of working at all levels and sectors of Facilities Management; • To enhance the quality of strategic policy and implementation for Facilities
For more information please contact: Trevor Francis, Programme Director E-mail: bne@smu.ac.uk Tel: (01792) 481106 Swansea Metropolitan University School of the Built and Natural Environment Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering Mount Pleasant Swansea
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PROJECT DYNAMO Are you a Role Model? Role models are ordinary people who've been successful by believing in themselves, their ideas and their abilities. To achieve Dynamo's aim of encouraging people to think in more entrepreneurial ways, the Dynamo project focuses on putting real business people into Universities, Colleges and schools across Wales to convey the entrepreneurial spirit, by demonstrating the attitude needed to succeed. Role Models are expected to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship through the delivery of the following key messages: • • • •
•
Encourage self-belief and positive thinking Inspire and motivate students to realise they are in control of their future Educate about the reality of being their own boss: highs, lows, risks and rewards Draw out entrepreneurial characteristics and encourage students reflect on own behaviour Stimulate entrepreneurial behaviour/thinking in students as appropriate
The success of Project Dynamo is dependent on recruiting an array of inspirational Role Models that demonstrate the diversity of Welsh business who have their own unique story to tell. Being a role model is also a great opportunity to promote your own business as well as benefit from attending various networking events. Every new role model is given full support on how to structure their presentations as well as suggesting methods of delivering the messages you give and ideas for engaging with pupils through activities at a two day training programme. For more information on the Dynamo project please contact: Rhian Evans, Dynamo Co-ordinator for Mid and South West Wales 01970 636291 rhian.evans@menterabusnes.co.uk
Dynamo Role Model and Swansea Metropolitan Alumna, Dawn Lyle said “I was delighted to be invited to become a Dynamo role model, as I am interested in helping to encourage young people to consider self-employment, and I think it's important to make ‘entrepreneurship’ seem like a realistic option for more school-leavers and graduates. I think we need to remove some of the ‘mysticism’ associated with setting up a business, and make it seem like something achievable and tangible. We need to help young people to spot the opportunities to turn their hobbies, skills and passions into jobs for themselves and others, and I think the Dynamo programme offers a chance for young people to hear what it's really like to set up a business. Jake and I began to consider setting up our own computer graphics business quite early on in our degree courses. The key ingredients for us were probably having confidence in our own abilities – an attitude of ‘if anyone can do it, we can do it’, a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality, lots of self-motivation as well as willingness to put in a huge amount of hard work - but it was hard work doing stuff we really enjoyed, so it never felt too onerous! We were also lucky to be in Swansea at the time, as there’s such a lot of support and encouragement for entrepreneurs in Wales, particularly those with ‘high tech’ business ideas. We were quite quickly signposted towards the Spinout Wales programme for graduates with business ideas, and from there we started writing a business plan and the whole thing gained its own momentum.
I would like to share with potential entrepreneurs throughout the Swansea Bay region. The Dynamo programme enables young people to hear about the reality of running a business - the high points and the low points. Obviously entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, but thanks to Dynamo I think more people are encouranged to consider the option, meaning they can make an informed decision about their future. If I can help more young people have the self-belief and confidence to give it a go, then I think that's worthwhile. Established in 2003, iCreate is one of the UK’s leading property marketing studios, producing high quality 3D renderings and walkthroughs for residential and commercial property sectors all over the world. We work with private developers, as well as public sector organizations such as local government, development agencies and educational / cultural clients, and we have become a trusted provider of 3D visualisation to some of the world’s most established architects. As increasing numbers of developers realise the value of promoting their new properties using realistic previsualisations, iCreate continues to offer innovative high-end marketing solutions, bringing new property to life for modern buyers and investors.” For more information on starting your own business please contact Kathryn Penaluna, Enterprise Manager, Commercial Services, Swansea Metropolitan University, on 01792 481199, email kathryn.penaluna@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk.
Through running my own business I have found a way to combine all the things I really love doing – computer graphics, making my own decisions, marketing, organising things, working with people… I think starting your own business can offer a way to combine your passions with a way of earning a living, and this is the message that
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NEW RELEASE FOR WELSH GAMES COMPANY Last year, a team of five Swansea Metropolitan University graduates launched a new company called ChaosTrend, based within the city. They have already worked on a number of commissions for local companies such as Telesgop Media and the Carmarthenshire Heritage Trust. The team have now released their first big title onto the games market, Everfall. Eager gamers will enter the magical world of Barina and travel on a rollercoaster adventure that will take them to the edge of the Kingdom and back in an attempt to save the land from an unknown evil. Everfall has been designed for a family audience and was developed using the ChaosTrend Engine, a multi-purpose 2D/3D engine which was created by the team. ChaosTrend are made up of computer games development graduates and founding members Darren Adams and Russell Drodge, who head the management team, while fellow graduates John Franklin, Nick Sinclair and Ian Malsbury utilise their expertise in
SHOCK HORROR - COLIN, THE £45 HOME MOVIE Marc Price, an alumnus of Swansea Metropolitan University produced a film at a cost of £45. The film went on to feature at the Cannes Film Festival and Marc then launched his £45 movie at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square in time for Halloween. Colin, the Movie is about a young man being made into a Zombie. This budget film was made using an old camcorder on location in Tooting, South London and to cut down on costs the blood was golden syrup and food dye and the burns were achieved with instant coffee granules. The cast was made up of friends and people who happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time. A Hollywood film can have a budget of £150 million plus but Marc managed a £45 Movie. Dr Andy Penaluna, Dyenvor Centre for Art, Design and Media and Vice Chair of Enterprise Educators UK said “what could be more enterprising than that!” Congratulations Marc.
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coding, design and art work. ChaosTrend has created and released several free flash games and have produced a promotional web-based game centred on a recent international sheepdog competition, covered by Welsh television production company, Telesgop. The team have completed a game for the Carmarthenshire Heritage Trust, entitled ‘Llanelly House Hunt’, and have also finished two extra versions of the game in Welsh and Polish. All three versions of the game can be found at http://www.chrt.org.uk/english/home_e.shtml
The company’s success was further enhanced recently with the announcement that their games will be distributed via leading games publisher playfirst.com, who have a portfolio of 500 sites.
A still image from EverFall
Everfall is available from the ChaosTrend website and can also be bought from the PlayFirst website, www.playfirst.com For more information about ChaosTrend visit www.chaostrend.com
amperSAND DIGITAL MEDIA NETWORK - COME AND JOIN US amperSAND is a forum and meeting place for professionals and enthusiasts working in all aspects of digital media, which welcomes businesses, students, independent artists and people with an interest in animation, computer games, digital art, and other production areas in these sectors. Each amperSAND event focuses on a particular field - from animation to web design, digital music to multimedia with speakers from the industry and the opportunity for discussion. Past presenters have included Aardman Animation, Lionhead Studios, the BBC, Paul Granjon (artist), Rowlands UK, Jonathan Clements (Anime authority), Imaze and many others of equal calibre. amperSAND is held monthly in Swansea at in the Main Lecture Theatre at: Swansea Metropolitan University's Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media De La Beche Street, Swansea, SA1 3EU For further information about amperSAND events or registration please email us at amperSAND@smu.ac.uk or telephone (01792) 481194. amperSAND is open to everyone interested in digital media, so we look forward to meeting you. Why not bring along your business cards and literature too, as there are good networking opportunities both prior to and after the event, during the post-presentation buffet www.smu.ac.uk/ampersand
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CABINET MINSTER GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF UNIVERSITY RACE CAR Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, went behind the wheel of one of Swansea Metropolitan University’s fleet of motorsport vehicles during a visit to the University’s new facilities at the famous Pembrey Circuit. Mr Hain, followed in the tracks of the greats of world Motorsport when he took to the Carmarthenshire circuit. He was given a tour of Swansea Met’s Vehicle Dynamics Centre and officially launched the University’s new BSc (Hons) degree in Motorsport Technology.
SWANSEA MET MOTORSPORT TEAM WORLD BEATERS The future of British motorsport is safe in the hands of the Swansea Metropolitan University’s Formula Student Team, who have confirmed themselves as best in Wales, top three in the UK and, even more impressively, top ten in the world, after the 2009 Formula Student competition at Silverstone.
Formula Student, the biggest student motorsport competition in the world, promotes careers and excellence in engineering, by challenging students to design, build, develop, market and compete as a team with a small single seater racing car. It blends academic work and learning with the development of practical engineering skills. This year’s international competition saw over eighty university teams from across the world converge onto the famous home of British motorsport, Silverstone. Each competition car was rigorously tested in areas such as endurance, speed and business viability. Following an impressive top ten global finish last year, becoming the first and only Welsh University to be seeded, Swansea Met saw off stiff competition to maintain its position as the top Welsh team, secure a place in the UK top three and tenth in the world rankings.
The Vehicle Dynamics Centre has been developed by Swansea Metropolitan University with the British Automobile Racing Club at Pembrey Circuit and with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government. It consists of a fully fitted 144 m2 workshop for car preparation and data analysis, a 50m diameter steering pad and a classroom facility with additional access to the kart track and race circuit itself. Swansea Met’s popular motorsport portfolio of programmes increased last September with the introduction of a new degree in motorsport technology. It provides a route to an honours degree that will be appropriate for those wishing to enter the engineering profession at Incorporated Engineer level. It has an emphasis on developing and supporting the know-how necessary to apply technology to engineering problems and processes, and to maintain and manage current technology at peak efficiency. During his visit, Mr Hain drove the University’s latest acquisition, an MCR Sports 2000 racing car which is manufactured in St David’s, Pembrokeshire. The latest incarnation of the Lampeter -built Darrian, now very successful in its current GTR rally form, was also on site along with a range of Swansea Met motorcycles. Swansea Met’s successful Formula Student team offered their expert opinion on the Minister’s driving as they showed off their world conquering FS car. Swansea Met is a Motorsport Academy UK Recognised Educator (HE) and a partner of EEMS (Energy Efficient Motorsport).
Swansea Metropolitan University’s world beating 2009 Formula Student Team at Silverstone.
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
SMU GRADUATE RETURNS TO STUDY VIA GO WALES FUND Joel Upton a Swansea Metropolitan University Business graduate is currently the Site manager at Salix River and Wetland Service Ltd, he has returned to study via the GO Wales Training and Development fund. Salix have tapped into the GO Wales Training Fund and accessed £1,500 towards up skilling Joel who is now studying for a part time HNC in Civil Engineering at SMU. Joel believes his attendance on this course ‘will provide vital technical knowledge to assist in the tendering and planning of work on site, assisting Salix in exceeding its present reach in the market place’. Salix integrate Ecology and Civil Engineering to provide "Ecological Engineering" systems. They harness the power of vegetation to create sustainable, cost effective bioengineering solutions.
Director David Holland believes the GO Wales fund has been valuable in this current economic climate. He said ‘it is vital that we retain our trained/knowledgeable workforce, the GO Wales fund has allowed us to keep up to date with the trends and the technology that will add a new life to both our employees and the continual growth of our organisation’. The GO Wales team at Swansea Metropolitan University can assist local businesses and graduates and they can be contacted on 01792 481109 or email lucy.norman@smu.ac.uk
A SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION GRADUATE HAS SCOOPED A TOP GEOLOGICAL AWARD Matthew Eynon, originally from Penclawdd, is a Fellow of the Geological Society after studying the Environmental Conservation and Management Masters course back in 2003. In May 2008, the Southern Wales Regional Group of the Geological Society invited applicants for their inaugural Early Career Geologists Award, for which entrants were required to submit a synopsis of geological context. Matthew was presented with the award based on strength of content and presentation of the paper to a peer group, which focused on the interaction of engineering and geology and the hidden landscapes of the Severn Levels. The award was judged and presented by the current
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chairman of the Southern Wales Regional Group, Paul Maliphant. Since completing the course, Matthew has seen his career develop rapidly, spending nearly two years at a contaminated land consultancy in the Midlands before moving back to Wales and utilising his valuable experience on the problems faced by brownfield site redevelopment and the geo-environmental challenges faced by developers and land owners. Matthew is now an Associate Director at Earth Science Partnership, based in Cardiff, an independent specialist consultancy offering geo-technical and environmental services to private and professional clients across the UK.
He is responsible for managing a number of technical teams and other operational activities, including work on the £400 million redevelopment of Reading Train Station, in association with Hochtief (UK) Construction and Network Rail. Speaking about his experiences at Swansea Met, Matthew said: “The MSc course gave me an excellent platform to launch my career and I’m extremely happy to be tackling the unique geo-technical and geoenvironmental challenges that the UK has to offer.”
ALUMNI
A DOCTOR WITH THE BOTTLE GAINS AWARD During their studies, some students find themselves working in pubs and clubs collecting empty glasses but for one Swansea Metropolitan University graduate, it has gone some way to helping gain a PhD. Swansea Met alumna, Dr Tyra Oseng, originally from Norway, collected her PhD award at the University’s summer graduation ceremony. Her thesis focused on sustainable methods of glass production using recycled glass and last year, as a useful case study, Tyra embarked on a project creating some ‘one off’ glass tiles for a kitchen and bathroom made up of old glass bottles, collected from pubs and clubs around Swansea. The tiles were then fitted into a new Gwalia show home, Llys Hafan, which offers high-quality, affordable apartments situated in the heart of Swansea’s landmark SA1. In addition to the tiles, Tyra also produced some additional decorative glass pieces for other rooms in the apartment. With sponsorship from Swansea Metropolitan University, Tyra
completed the commission as a case study for her, now completed, PhD research work, developing unique and new handmade interior tiles made of 100% bottle glass.
Dr Tyra Oseng with her recycled glass tiles in the Gwalia Show home.
Utilising the research work that Tyra has undertaken in recent years, she hopes to develop her ideas into a commercial venture, Oseng Glass Design, creating architectural applications with recycled bottle glass to install, decorate, or enrich areas for outdoor and indoor uses. As a result of this new and sustainable technique, contemporary and innovative products can be developed in collaboration with architects, interior and industrial designers and artists. The products also meet British and International Standards.
About her project with Gwalia, Tyra said: “It was an amazing opportunity for me to create a bridge between academia and the industry. Being able to work with a live case study, meeting the architects criteria and deadlines, not only gave me the most excellent case study for my PhD, but has also proven that my work is a potential business. My work provides architects and interior designers with sustainable products from locally sourced material, which are aesthetically pleasing and functionally durable.”
TOP BRITISH ARTIST CONQUERS AMERICA IN GLOBAL GLASS EXHIBITION An academic from Swansea Metropolitan University’s famous Welsh School of Architectural Glass is the only UK artist to be selected as ‘Best in Show’ at a global glass exhibition in America.
One of Vanessa Cutler’s six exhibits on display in America.
Senior lecturer, Dr Vanessa Cutler, is one of the world’s leading practitioners of the pioneering waterjet cutting technology. Her work is concerned with pushing the parameters of waterjet cutting and, over the past five years, she has been investigating the creative uses of waterjet cutting for glass. This has led to the development of new work that is utilising this cutting edge technology in an imaginative and unique way. Dr Cutler has had no less than six pieces of work selected for the exhibition and is one of only ten artists selected by a Jury as a 2009 Best in Show
exhibitor, receiving a $1,000 travel stipend to attend the opening reception. The exhibition, entitled BIGG: Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass, is a collaboration between Ohio State University’s (OSU) Department of Art's Glass Program and the OSU Urban Arts Space and Hawk Galleries, and is sponsored by leading New York-based glass makers, Steuben Glass. The exhibition was held at the OSU Urban Arts Space and Hawk Galleries in Columbus, Ohio. Like many of the world’s leading glass artists, Vanessa Cutler studied architectural stained glass at Swansea Metropolitan University. In 2007, she returned to the place it all began, becoming a lecturer at Swansea Met’s Welsh School of Architectural Glass.
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Welsh School of Architectural Glass Celebrating 75 Years 1935 - 2010
SWANSEA EXPERIENCES A ‘GATHERING LIGHT’
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The build-up to the 2010 celebrations of the 75 year history of the Welsh School of Architectural Glass at Swansea Metropolitan University has begun with Gathering Light, a major exhibition of international contemporary stained glass, being held in Swansea. This follows the critically acclaimed showings in Liverpool and Paris.
Chinks Grylls, Amber Hiscott, Catrin Jones and Sachiko Yamamoto are included in the high-profile exhibition, which highlights female artists who trained in traditional stained glass and who are now interpreting this heritage using contemporary language. The work demonstrates the spectrum of artistic possibilities of contemporary decorative glass.
The twenty exhibitors in this show come from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United States and Canada. There are also exhibitors from Wales, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria and Iceland. They are all professional artists whose individual styles reflect their range of cultures and backgrounds.
Gathering Light will show at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, until January 24th 2010.
Work from five of the world’s leading female glass artists, and Swansea Metropolitan University Alumni namely, Chris Bird-Jones,
In 2010, the Welsh School of Architectural Glass at Swansea Metropolitan University celebrates its 75th anniversary 1935 - 2010. The School is unique in that it is the only purely architecturally based glass course in the world. Many of today’s leading practitioners have learnt their design and craft skills in Swansea.
Participating Artists Systa Asgeirsdottir Doreen Balabanoff Chris Bird-Jones Ginger Ferrell Marie Foucault-Phipps Mimi Gellman Chinks Grylls Amber Hiscott Catrin Jones Cornelia König Linda Lichtman Mary Mackey Ellen Mandelbaum Cedar Prest Helga Reay-Young Holly Sanford Helma Sauerbrey Christine Triebsch Sachiko Yamamoto Yoshi Yamauchi
Iceland Canada Wales USA / UK France / USA Canada England Wales Wales Austria USA Ireland USA Australia Germany New Zealand Germany Germany Japan Japan / Germany
This exhibition is the first in a year-long international programme of exhibitions, hosted by Swansea Metropolitan University, at the National Waterfront Museum. For further information, please contact Chris Bird Jones via email at christine.birdjones@smu.ac.uk or call 07742 125051. Alternatively, visit www.museumwales.ac.uk/ en/swansea
ALUMNI
PHOTOGRAPHERS’ GALLERY DATE FOR MET GRAD THOMAS A Swansea Metropolitan University photography graduate was selected to exhibit at the prestigious Photographers’ Gallery in London. The gallery is Britain's leading centre for contemporary and historical photography and is located in the heart of London's West End. The exhibition, freshfacedandwildeyed09, featured some of the most dynamic new photography from across the UK. One of the artists selected was Thomas Pope, originally from Bristol, who graduated from Swansea Met’s Photography in the Arts programme with a first-class honours degree in 2008. Since then, he has been shortlisted in an arts competition run by Channel 4 and the Saatchi Gallery, has won both the Mission Gallery Open and the Swansea Open competitions and has exhibited in the Royal West of England Academy of Art.
Thomas saw his work selected and exhibited at the Derby Format Photography Festival and his highest achievement came when accepted into the Royal College of Art to undertake a Masters degree. The chosen artists at freshfacedandwildeyed09 were selected
Image taken from Thomas Pope’s work, The Escapades of The Higher Man.
by leading industry figures, including photographer, Joy Gregory, National Portrait Gallery Associate Curator for Photographs, Magda Keaney, The Photographers’ Gallery Director, Brett Rogers and Time Out London Visual Arts Editor, Ossian Ward. About his entry, Tom explains: “My work, The Escapades of The Higher Man, interprets Nietzsche’s philosophy regarding The Higher Man as God’s successor, resulting from the declaration that God is dead. Exploring this concept, while utilising performative gestures, sees the collision of absurd and often perilous, yet equally humorous acts with notions of ‘the everyday’. “Subsequently, the complex relationship that exists between the photograph as performance document, the performative gesture and ‘the everyday’ is brought into dispute and critically re-examined.” Tom has his first solo show at the Glynn Vivian, Swansea in February 2010.
KEN RUSSELL’S SWANSEA-INSPIRED FILM GETS WORLD PREMIERE A film made by legendary film director Ken Russell at Swansea Metropolitan University premiered during the Palic European Film Festival in Serbia.
the hallmarks of Ken Russell's lavish and imaginative style, but utilises CIRIC's 21st Century high definition filmmaking technology.
Back in 2007, the iconic filmmaker was invited to Swansea by Swansea Met’s Centre for the Creative Industries (CIRIC) as part of its masters’ series. Ken Russell was so impressed with the previous work that CIRIC has undertaken with Welsh filmmakers that he was keen to come to Swansea to make his latest film, Boudica Bites Back, utilising the expertise of Swansea Met’s staff and students.
Once filming had finished, the footage shot by Ken was edited by his regular feature film editor, Mike Bradsell, and then passed onto Swansea Met’s awardwinning 3D Computer Animation students for them to add special FX and 3D animation.
The film, described by Russell as a CineOpera, tells the story of Boudica, Celtic warrior queen, and her battle against the Romans. The project centred on the use of Swansea Met’s state-of-the-art Green Screen studio, using a mixture of professional film crew and students from the university’s video and performing arts programmes, who were the supporting cast. The film, which is a musical interpretation of Boudica's revolt against the Roman occupation of Britain, bears all
Steve himself knows the festival very well, having held a retrospective of his work and being named Artist of the Year, two years ago. He continued: “Now that the film has had its World Premiere we expect it to go on to show at international film festivals around the world, showcasing the talent of our students, staff and CIRIC's state-of-the-art facilities.”
Ken is said to be very impressed by the University’s video making facilities and especially pleased with the state-of-theart filmmaking and editing studios. The film’s producer and Swansea Met Senior Research Associate, Steve Sullivan commented: “The film was made with the intention of giving students across the University an opportunity to work with one of Britain's best known and most original filmmakers, allowing them to have experience of working with industry professionals on a creative and innovative film.”
Still images from the Ken Russell/Swansea Metropolitan University film, Boudica Bites Back.
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
SWANSEA GRADUATE LEADS WELSH STUDENTS A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate is leading the students of Wales after her successful election as the National Union of Students (NUS) Wales President. Katie Dalton, originally from Halifax in West Yorkshire, took the reins from current President Ben Grey on July 1st after serving as the NUS Women’s Officer. Her representative skills were honed earlier on in her university life, acting as a course rep for Swansea Met’s Surface Pattern programme, of which she was a student. From there, she took on a similar role, this time for the entire Faculty of Art and Design, before becoming active in the University’s Student Union (SU) as a non sabbatical Women’s Officer. In the academic year 2006-7, Katie became the SU Welfare Officer before being elected to the highest office as President in 2007-8. By this time, she was established within the NUS, having taken a position on the Wales Women Committee and the Wales National Committee. Katie graduated from Swansea Met in 2006.
Former Swansea Metropolitan University Student Union President, Katie Dalton, with Swansea Met Honorary Fellow, Huw Edwards. Of her success at Swansea Met, Katie said: “Every achievement for students was important to me, large or small. That’s why I stood for election, that’s why the SU exists. From my first campaign where I argued for Art and Design students to be allowed to move into halls at the same time as other students, to winning the funding for an education and welfare support staff member in my last month as SU President - they all make differences to real students’ lives.”
Elected at the NUS Spring Conference, Katie’s role as President saw her becoming the public face of NUS Wales, responsible for upholding and promoting its policy and representing Welsh students to the Assembly, Parliament and other external organisations and unions. She leads the Welsh Executive Committee in putting policy into practice by running campaigns, lobbying and liaising with Student Unions, and will also represent Welsh students to NUS and other UK-wide bodies.
ALUMNI CHAPTERS AND NETWORKS The Alumni Office is in the process of establishing Alumni Chapters. Alumni Chapters are made up of volunteers who are members of the alumni organisation. Our network of Alumni Chapters will provide graduates with opportunities to network, socialise, and recruit top students to Swansea Metropolitan University. What are Alumni Chapters? Chapters are alumni groups who find themselves in the same geographic location. Chapters could be established in cities or countries with SMU graduates. This way the alumni living in these areas could build and maintain strong networks with the University and each other. Alumni Chapters can also be identified by their degree subject, their year of graduation or their area of employment (e.g. teaching, business, leisure, the arts). What would Chapters do? Alumni Chapters are involved in a variety of activities. Through these activities Chapters would play a crucial role in extending and strengthening our alumni community. Events - While the Alumni Office cannot host regular events and alumni reunions in every country in the world, we would like to offer all of our alumni the opportunity to meet old classmates and make new contacts through our graduate base. Part of the function of an Alumni Chapter is to organise social, academic and professional networking events in their local areas. These events ensure that our graduates can stay connected with the University and with each other. University staff who travel to the Chapter’s region would also be able to participate with the Chapter’s activities. Ambassadors - The Chapters will act as Ambassadors for the University. They can provide advice to prospective students interested in embarking on a course of study at SMU. Chapters can assist staff at Student Recruitment events. Through sharing their own experiences they can provide their unique prospective on SMU life, to students interested in coming to Swansea to study. Careers - Chapters can offer informal career advice. The Careers Service could use alumni connections to liaise with employers interesting in promoting their jobs to SMU graduates. How can I volunteer? We would love to hear from anyone interested in forming a Chapter and volunteering to join the Chapter. Chapters could be established provided there are sufficient alumni numbers/interest to make it viable. For further information or to register your interest please email alumni@smu.ac.uk
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ALUMNI
WHERE ARE YOU NOW ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNUS GARETH JOHN HONOURED IN QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY LIST Earlier this year, Gareth John, Chairman of the Federation of Disability Sport Wales, was honoured in the Queens Birthday list, for ‘services to sport’. Gareth John, of Govilon, near Abergavenny, attended Swansea Teachers’ Training College, 1962-65 (in its earlier manifestation, before adopting University status.) Gareth has served Disability Sport Wales for over twenty years, the majority of that time as Chairman. He has led the development of the Federation, guiding it through its early years as a voluntary organisation into the professional body that it has become today. He commented that he was delighted to receive the award and said that he viewed it as recognition for the work of the organisation which he serves. He said ‘I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of a host of participants and athletes, the volunteers who support them and the highly committed professionals in disability sport here in Wales who work so hard to create the opportunities for their involvement in sport. The massive strides we have witnessed in disability sport over the past seven or eight years would not have been possible without the support of our partners The Welsh Assembly Government and the Sports Council for Wales, together with the Local Authorities and our sponsors, led by Ace Feet in Motion. It is a huge pleasure and privilege to work with them all’
Andrew Austin - (BEng Computer
Systems Engineer – Graduated 1997) “I am currently working for IBM UK Ltd as a (contract) Technical Consultant, assisting an MoD Agency in improving their development and support of a multimillion pound IBM UNIX / Storage / Virtualisation infrastructure. My responsibilities include ad-hoc technical support, best-practice technical consultancy, and a major focus on helping the agency's technical support staff adopt processes and procedures to improve overall system availability”.
Serena Prior - (BA (Hons) Primary Education – Graduated 1999) “I am a teaching Principal in a Primary School in my home county. I have been employed in this position for the past two years. I was teaching for eight years previous to this in a convent school”.
Olive Thorman - (Product /Industrial Design - Graduated 2003) “After working as a designer for a couple of major extreme sport brands I have decided that it's time for me to try and start my own brand using the contacts and opportunities I have gained working for others”.
Ioanna Koundouraou - (Multi Media – Graduated 2002) “Performing since 2003 I have trained with Farida Fahmy, Mahmoud Reda, Farouk Mostafa, Mohamed and Nesrin Kazafy and Nesma in Cairo where I was based for almost two years trying to capture every little detail of the essence of Egyptian Dances. Especially fond of the traditional dances of Egypt I am always sure to promote the necessity of their revival through my workshops and classes. I have performed solo or with my troupes (\"Unaniin\" and \"The
Mediterranean Hips\") for a number of cultural events (the opening of the National Greek Festival, The Pan African Festival etc) and choreographed theatrical and musical performances of well renowned directors in Greece, performed at the Planet Egypt events and the Majma Festival of Glastonbury, in the UK..... In the past years I had the honour of collaborating with the great Natacha Atlas at her appearance in Greece as well as Greek artists like Tania Tsanaklidou, Eustathia, Stamatis Kraounakis and Makis Christodoulopoulos. I am currently based in Athens, Greece, working as a teacher, choreographer and artistic director for theatrical shows and big cultural events teaching classes and workshops home and abroad but still spend my summers in Egypt trying not to miss on anything that goes on. I am a member of the International Dance Council (CID) performing at their annual Congresses in Greece for the past 3 years.”
Benjamin Lake – (BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS Graduated 2001) “After completing my teaching degree in fabulous Swansea, I am currently teaching a brilliant bunch of kids at a school in Derby. Have experienced the highs and lows of teaching but I am still at it and loving the teaching.”
Anna Mirsaya has been accepted to King’s College and Stuart Thomas has been accepted to Imperial. Both were 1st Class Honours graduates of SMU BEng computer Systems and Engineering Programme. Mikko Takkunen who graduated from
the Photojournalism course this summer was shortlisted for the Guardian student photographer competition.
Congratulations to all our Graduates! LETTER BOX SERVICE If you have lost touch with an old friend from the University we may be able to help reunite you. We will try our best to put you in touch with other graduates with whom you have lost contact. Just forward your request to the Alumni Office with as many details as possible (eg name, (maiden name if appropriate) subject studied, graduation year) Alternatively you can email us with your message asking for it to be forwarded. If we do not have a current contact address we will let you know. All information held is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and therefore personal information cannot be released without consent.
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY LAUNCHED NEW COURSES Marketing and Psychology BA (Hons) English and Drama BA (Hons) Motorsport Technology BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying BSc/HND
Please go to www.smu.ac.uk and click on Open Days to check out the scheduled Open Days in 2010 for all Faculties.
DON’T FORGET THE ALUMNI GOODIES As a member of the alumni organisation you will be able to use the following facilities and services free of charge: Use the University Libraries for reference purposes. Use the Townhill Fitness Centre – so long as we have space! Have continuing Careers counselling, find out about job opportunities throughout Wales and the rest of the UK, and use the Careers ICT Service. Get the latest information about University Bursaries and Scholarships. Use our student accommodation, when available at low, low rates. Use the University’s conference, catering and other facilities for your events at reduced rates. Gain the latest information about business incentives in South West Wales. Intellectual Property Rights Advisory Service.
Memorabilia can be purchased via the Ede and Ravenscroft Website www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk
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ALUMNI
REUNIONS The Alumni Office is happy to help with arrangements for Reunions. We can assist with the mailings of any lost contacts, help with the venue, catering etc. Out of term overnight accommodation can also be arranged at discount prices. If you are planning a Reunion get in touch and we will give you all the support we can.
We hope that all Swansea Metropolitan University graduates will remain interested and involved in the long term development of the University. We welcome members’ suggestions for new services and activities. We would also like to hear from you with your news, achievements and reminiscences. If you have a ‘good story’ to tell please let us know.
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CONTACT / CYSYLLTWCH GYDA Julie Reed Alumni Officer / Swyddog Alumni Swansea Metropolitan University / Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe Phone / Ffon : 01792 481217 Fax / Ffacs : 01792 481217 Email / Ebost: alumni@smu.ac.uk