INTOUCH
ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 11, WINTER 2010/11
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HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS FOR LEADING WELSH FIGURES
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
A Welsh rugby great, a scientist and former UKRC Woman of Outstanding Achievement, a respected novelist and poet, and an academic authority on Wales all received prestigious Swansea Metropolitan University Honorary Fellowships at the summer graduation ceremony.
Jonathan Davies MBE hails from Trimsaran and his
rugby talent was recognised at an early age. Spending the first part of his career at Neath RFC and then Llanelli RFC, his first cap as fly-half for Wales came in a memorable Arms Park victory against England, where he scored a try and drop goal. He would go on to win another thirty-two caps for Wales, helping to secure a third place finish in the 1987 Rugby World Cup and a Triple Crown success in the 1988 Five Nations Championship. In 1988, Jonathan changed codes to play Rugby League as a professional for Widnes, establishing himself as a force in the game. In 1993-1994, he won the RFL's Man of Steel Award and during his League career he went on to represent Great Britain and Wales on the international stage. His other clubs included Warrington and the Sydney-based Canterbury Bull Dogs. For personal reasons, in 1995 he returned to Wales and joined Cardiff RFC while pulling on the Welsh jersey once again. In 1996, Jonathan was awarded an MBE for services to the sport. Since his retirement, Jonathan has moved into television and radio working as a commentator on both English and Welsh language programmes. His cross-code technical knowledge has made him a very popular pundit on the BBC and S4C, and he also writes regularly for national newspapers. Jonathan actively supports Wooden Spoon, a charity for disadvantaged children in the UK and Ireland.
Wendy Sadler describes herself as having a passion for
science and a strong desire to embed science within popular culture to encourage wider participation. She graduated from Cardiff University and in 1994 became Education Manager at Techniquest in Cardiff. In 2002, she formed her own company Science made Simple, an innovative science communication business whose mission is to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. By using an exciting multi-disciplinary approach, using topics such as music, art and sport, the company has developed and delivered engaging performances for schools and the general public. It specifically targets teenage audiences with topics based around physics and engineering. In 2007, the company's art-science show was taken to the Edinburgh Festival where it sold out and was short-listed for a Total Theatre Award.
ALUMNI
Professor Barbara Hardy
Is best described as a critic, novelist, autobiographer and poet, she was born and educated in Swansea. Upon completion of her High School education, she moved to London and ultimately became a Professor of English Literature Emeritus at the University of London. She is also a member of the Royal Society of Literature and a Vice President of the Thomas Hardy Society. She was elected as a Senior Fellow to the British Academy in 2006. In an influential literary career that spans fifty years, Professor Hardy has published extensively, writing predominately on the nineteenth century novel, particularly those of George Eliot, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, W.M. Thackeray and Henry James. She is described as one of the leading post-war experts on George Eliot. Professor Hardy is also a successful novelist and her 1996 book ‘London Lovers', which is an account of the search for social liberation in the 1930s and 1940s by a woman from South Wales, was the winner of the Sagittarius Prize. Furthermore, she has published two books of Poetry, ‘Severn Bridge' and the ‘Yellow Carpet', and these collections include many poems about Swansea and Gower.
Professor Geraint Jenkins, originally from
Aberystwyth, was the Director of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies at the University of Wales from 1993 to 2008. He is a prolific author of over thirty books and one hundred articles on a wide variety of subjects in both English and Welsh. Under his directorship at the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies he oversaw and was engaged in a variety of projects. Professor Jenkins has written extensively on the history of early modern and modern Wales and prior to his appointment at the University of Wales he was Head of the Department of Welsh History at Aberystwyth University. He is the Chairman of the Ceredigion Historical Society and a member of the Editorial Board of the Cardiganshire County History. He has also served as a member of the Archaeology and History Committee of the National Museum and Galleries of Wales, and from 1993 to 2007 he was Chair and Research Director of the University of Wales, Board of Celtic Studies. In spite of these numerous commitments, Professor Jenkins has continued to write and has recently published a complete history of Wales. In 2008 he was elected as a Fellow of the British Academy and is currently a member of its Council.
In 1993, she published ‘Swansea Girl: a Memoir' which was a recollection of her childhood and adolescence in the inter-war and World War II years in Swansea.
The show was then taken on a tour of nine European countries where it reached an audience of over twelve thousand people. Wendy's numerous achievements have been recognised both in Wales, where in 2004 she was Welsh Woman of the Year (Science and Technology), and nationally, when in 2008 she became UKRC Woman of Outstanding Achievement. International plaudits have included the EU Descartes Prize for Science Communication in 2006.
GRADUATION 2010 SUMMER CEREMONY VIDEO CLIPS CAN BE FOUND ON THE ALUMNI WEBISTE
www.smu.ac.uk/alumni 2
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TOP BIOLOGY AWARD FOR GRADUATING EDUCATION STUDENT
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate has won the Society of Biology Biosciences Award for her outstanding performance throughout her year as a teacher training student. The Society of Biology represents all individuals who are committed to biology in academia, industry, education and research, something which plays a part in the work of all Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Biology students. Swansea Met student Sarah-Jayne Puntan, aged 24 and from Neath, has completed the one year full-time Biology PGCE programme at the Swansea School of Education. She was chosen for the award due to her excellence and commitment throughout the course and during her school placements. Sarah-Jayne was nominated by her course tutor, Bruce Jones. Bruce said: "Sarah-Jayne has been an outstanding student. Her effort throughout the year, especially within her school placements, has been exceptional."
“Choosing the PGCE course has enabled me to pursue a rewarding career in developing children's understanding of everyday science. I see my future as a teacher inspiring young people so that they can be successful and contribute actively, in whatever way they can, to our growing modern scientific world�. "I'd like to thank Bruce for all the support and encouragement throughout the year. This has been a fantastic end to a great year at Swansea Met."
WELSH RUGBY INTERNATIONAL SCORES MET DEGREE There is no side-stepping the hard work it takes to achieve a degree and for one Welsh rugby international the hard work has paid off as he has successfully graduated from Swansea Metropolitan University with a degree in sports management. Swansea-born scrum half Andy Williams, 29 years old, has won five caps for Wales. He has represented Welsh regions Newport Gwent Dragons and the Ospreys as well as top English Premiership sides Bath and Gloucester. This year he was signed for Worcester Warriors by their new head coach, former England and Bath scrum half great, Richard Hill. About his time at Swansea Met, Andy said: "I have really enjoyed my time on
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this course. The tutors have been very supportive. If possible, I hope to return to Swansea Met very soon to undertake an MPhil." Swansea Met lecturer, Steve Osborne said: "It has been fantastic to have Andy studying with us. He has brought a lot to the course and I think he has also taken a lot from it. He has aspirations to return as a postgraduate student and we will support him in any way we can."
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SCHOOL REUNION FOR FORMER TEACHING STUDENTS ALUMNI
A reunion of former teaching training students was held at Swansea Metropolitan University to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of their graduation.
This was the first time that many of the students had met up since leaving the then Swansea College of Education, a predecessor institution of Swansea Met, in 1971. Ex-students organised the reunion at the Marriot Hotel in Swansea and later moved onto Swansea Met's School of Education to reminisce about their time at the Townhill campus. The idea came about when graduate Malcolm Evans contacted an old college friend who, in turn, sent him an old college photo. After much research, Malcolm contacted all fellow students and a reunion was organised. It gave the former students a chance to catch up with each other and to find out that many of them had gone on to
become head teachers, heads of department, educational advisors, with one even becoming Chief Constable of Gwent Police.
After the student's celebrations and dinner, all thirty-eight of them came to the Townhill campus to see how much it had changed in the past forty years. As a part of their visit, Dean of Humanities Professor Ken Jones gave the party a tour of the campus. Professor Jones said: "It's always a pleasure to welcome back former students to what is now Swansea Metropolitan University. They were amazed and delighted with the changes that had taken place on the Townhill Campus since they left in the early 1970s. They were particularly impressed with the new conference facilities and the facilities in the modern and wellequipped library."
Following the reunion, Malcolm Evans said: "We relived our time at the University and everybody had a great day." Swansea Metropolitan University inherited a long tradition of educational excellence as its predecessor colleges served the people of Swansea and the surrounding region for nearly 160 years. Its School of Art was established in 1853, School of Teacher Education in 1872 and Technology College in 1897.
SUPPLY TEACHERS BENEFIT FROM SWANSEA CONFERENCE A conference has been held in Swansea for secondary school supply teachers to discuss issues important to them, in an effort to maintain the same level of support as permanently employed teachers.
Innovation Partnership, which aims to help organisations reach relevant experts from the universities to discuss their development, support and learning needs. The conference took place in the Village Hotel, Swansea.
The conference was a collaboration between Careers Wales West, New Directions Education - who are one of the leading supply teacher agencies in the UK, and the two teacher education universities in south-west Wales Swansea Metropolitan University and University of Wales Trinity St David. It was supported by the Dragon
The aim of the conference was to provide professional development training for supply teachers working in secondary schools in the local community. The focus of the day was on issues commonly faced by supply teachers, including behaviour management and work/life balance. The talks were led by David Vizard (Behaviour Management Consultant) and Sandra Taylor (Teacher Support Cymru). The conference is a continuation of a Swansea Met-based project aiming to improve the support for supply teachers. It champions the need for equality in the teaching profession by looking at
the provision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for supply teachers, enabling them to maintain the same level of knowledge and skills as permanently employed teachers. The project also hopes to create an online resource for supply teachers to keep up-to-date with legislation and find out about training courses. A spokesperson for the event said: "It is recognised that supply teachers often have difficulty in accessing professional development training opportunities and the organisations involved believe that this day was of great benefit to all the delegates who attend.� "Hopefully we will find that there is a demand for this type of training and possibly further training opportunities to help support supply teachers and the schools and pupils they serve." "Days like this are hugely helpful for supply teachers. The certification you receive following attendance at such events proves to potential employers that your skills are up-to-date."
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SHELL-SHOCKED ALUMNI SET UP THEATRE COMPANY Two performing arts graduates from Swansea Metropolitan University have found success by setting up their own theatre company. Since graduating in 2008, Stephen Donnelly and Sian Stuttard, both from Swansea, have introduced the theatre company called ShellShock, offering them a platform to create a site-specific, original theatre in the city.
ShellShock's first production was BodyShop, in 2008. This was directed by Sian and devised with fellow students as a final year showcase piece, part of their Swansea Met degree course. After graduation, Sian and the cast were invited to perform the show at last year's Dylan Thomas Fringe Festival. It was at this point where both Stephen and Sian decided to start working under the official name of ShellShock Theatre. BodyShop was developed further for a new space and performed again at the Cardiff-based gallery and studio tactileBOSCH, to critical acclaim. During the summer of 2009, they began devising HiddenCity, a show which took place throughout Swansea City Centre. The audience was sent onto the city streets to find some questionable characters who helped them examine the areas regeneration and contemplate its purpose. It was performed as part of the Dylan Thomas Fringe Festival in 2009. Both BodyShop and HiddenCity were
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
successful shows, receiving good reviews and sell out performances. Alongside theatrical productions, ShellShock also devise street games that use the urban landscape as a place for exploration and play. Adding to their success, Stephen and Sian created Phone Box Frenzy, a game involving talking phone boxes and running. It was originally produced for an event in Cardiff and was featured in a BBC news report about pervasive gaming. The game was also re-developed and played at the Southbank Centre, in London, in February of this year. Stephen and Sian have recently worked with the Forest Fringe of Edinburgh on their tour and contributed to performances of the National Theatre of Wales and Volcano's show, Shelf Life, which took place in Swansea earlier this year. ShellShock has also performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of the Forest Fringe's program of events at the Forest Cafe. 'Don't Call Us, We'll Call You...' is an interactive audience participatory exhibit which, with the help of an old Bakelite phone, sends the audience on missions around the streets of Edinburgh to secret locations to witness site-specific performances littered throughout the city.
WELSH RUGBY GREAT OPENS NEW MET FACILITIES
Rugby legend Merv ‘The Swerve’ Davies has officially opened Swansea Metropolitan University’s new gym and complementary therapy facilities at its Mount Pleasant campus. During the summer, Swansea Met embarked upon creating new fitness facilities for staff and students at its Mount Pleasant campus, to match those already in existence at its Townhill campus. The developments, aided by a Sports Development Grant from Sport Wales and carried out by Nuttal, include a gym equipped with a range of machinery such as running machines, rowing machines and cross-trainers. A separate room has been set aside for a number of classes which will include yoga and martial arts. The facilities were opened by rugby great and Swansea Met Honorary Fellow Mervyn Davies who, as one of the legends of the game, won thirtyeight caps for Wales playing at No 8. During his career he went on to help Wales secure three Triple Crowns and two Grand Slams, and went on two successful Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. Mervyn is also an Alumnus of the institution having studied teacher training at Swansea Met’s predecessor institution, the Swansea College of Education. As well as the gym and fitness room, Mervyn Davies also officially opened Swansea Met’s new Metro Extra refectory and a students’ social study area, which hosts a Starbucks coffee outlet and Wi-Fi technology. Mervyn was joined by Swansea West AM Andrew Davies and Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner as well as a large number of staff and students.
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HIGHER EDUCATION RECOGNITION FOR SWANSEA MET ACADEMIC
ALUMNI
A Swansea Metropolitan University lecturer has gained professional recognition for his academic work by becoming a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr Kene Igweonu, originally from Nigeria, is a lecturer at Swansea Met's School of Performance and Literature. He is also the Assistant Editor of the African Performance Review (APR) journal and Editor of the University's internationally acclaimed performance-related online publication, Perfformio. The Higher Education Academy developed the Professional Recognition Scheme in support of its aim of raising the status of teaching in higher education. Nationally, the Scheme provides evidence of support and engagement with the UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF), as well as a growing body of evidence of the sector's commitment to professionalisation and to raising the profile of learning and teaching to enhance the student learning experience. Fellows form a substantial group of professionals in higher education which the Academy draws on, from time to time, to inform the direction of its work. At a discipline level, Fellows inform the work of subject centres. Fellows also have the potential to influence the direction of teaching and learning in their institutions as well as acting as peer reviewers for bids and applications for Academy funding.
Dr Igweonu said: "My involvement with the Higher Education Academy dates back to 2006 when I gained the status of ‘Associate of the Higher Education Academy' while a Visiting Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London. I am pleased that this year, 2010, the Academy accepted to upgrade my status to ‘Fellow of the Higher Education Academy' in recognition of my contribution to learning and teaching in higher education."
Dr Richard Knapp, Assistant Dean and Head of the School of Performance and Literature said: "This recognition for Dr Igweonu by the Higher Education Academy represents an acknowledgement of the significant contribution he has made to his field as both a lecturer and a
research academic, and the department is very proud of his achievement."
Early this year, Dr Igweonu was invited to the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa to assist a workshop on academic writing and publishing. In recent months, he has taken a lead international role in the development of new techniques for performance training, having been awarded funding by PALATINE, the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Dance, Drama and Music, for a research project exploring the use of the Feldenkrais Method in performer tuition. The Feldenkrais Method is named after its Russian-born originator Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, a physicist, judo expert, mechanical engineer and educator. Based on principles of physics, biomechanics and a practical understanding of learning and human development, the method is a form of education that uses gentle actions and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. Through this Method, it is claimed that individuals can increase their ease and range of motion, improve their flexibility and coordination, and rediscover their natural capacity for graceful, efficient movement. Although promoted as a means of enhancing general well being, it is hoped that Dr Igweonu's study will highlight and document the benefits of using the Feldenkrais Method as a performer training methodology and provide the basis for further research into this area.
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SWANSEA ADVERTISING DESIGN GRADUATE SUCCESS
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
A Swansea Metropolitan University art and design graduate has collected a top prize at the international D&AD awards for her advertising design work. Design for advertising student Chloe Powell, 21 years old from Gloucestershire, has achieved a coveted D&AD Global Student Award for her final year project work.
The D&AD Student Awards programme is the design and advertising communities award for those looking to break into the industry. It is embedded in curriculums in over 1,000 universities and courses around the world. Through the awards they aim to find the best new talent for the industry and to put creativity high on the agenda in the higher and further education curriculum. The awards are sponsored by a number of big name companies, such as the
BBC, Channel 4, IKEA and Nokia. D&AD Student Awards Manager, Fergal Kilroy said: "Judges in the D&AD Student Awards look for great ideas, well executed and on brief. The juries are mindful that the awards function is a valuable recruitment tool and therefore are careful to ensure that awarded students can excel in at least one if not more of our criteria. "Winning entries were selected on the basis that they demonstrated the student could ‘cut it' in the real world." After winning the award, Chloe said: "Never backing down on a challenge, determination, hard work and some good friends all helped to bring my ideas to life."
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL TEACHING A high profile conference was held at Swansea Metropolitan University aimed at higher education staff who regularly work with international students.
The Teaching International Students Conference was organised by Swansea Met's Assistant Dean of Business and Management, Paul Osborne, and Head of Quality Learning and Teaching, Dr Nick Potter. It was aimed at practitioners who work with international students on a day-to-day basis, whether in the classroom or in support of the students' studies. An international audience of over fifty University representatives were in attendance. The conference was arranged as part of the two-year Teaching International
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Students (TIS) project. TIS is a joint initiative of the Higher Education Academy and the United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs with funding from the Prime Minister's Initiative 2. The project focuses on the ways that lecturers and other teaching staff can maintain and improve the quality of teaching and learning for international students. This is achieved through providing guidance and information about how to meet the diverse learning needs of international students. The event offered a series of practical workshops where delegates were able to work with the resources created as part of the TIS project and to hear individual papers from experienced representatives from a number of UK higher education institutions.
Themes included issues of plagiarism, the experiences of Swansea Met's Business School in the teaching of international undergraduate students, strategies for feedback and assessment of international students and managing international student expectations. Paul Osborne said: “I
am delighted to see such a strong turn-out of practitioners from all over the world at the conference which, I hope, will further strengthen the excellent teaching and learning practice both at Swansea Metropolitan University and throughout HEI's in Wales”.
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SWANSEA MET GRADUATE SCOOPS DESIGN AWARD ‘ONE YEAR ON' ALUMNI
A 2009 textiles graduate from Swansea Met has been awarded the prominent One Year On Award at a high profile design event in London. Hannah Davies, from Swansea, graduated last year with a degree in surface pattern design. Twelve months after leaving Swansea Met and pursuing a career as a designer and illustrator, her work was on show at the UK's biggest student and graduate design show, New Designers, in London recently. The One Year On part of the New Designers exhibition is a selected show of the best graduates from the previous year. Hannah's work impressed the judges so much that she was awarded the top prize of £500 as the best graduate who finished their degree in 2009. The judges' official comments stated: "When judging One Year On, we are looking beyond the product to best identify the commitment and professional
application shown by the designer. Hannah explored a range of potentially lucrative opportunities, but has chosen to pursue a more focused path closer to her original intentions. She has set herself clear new objectives and is on course to achieve them."
Hannah said: ‘My main reason for coming to New Designers was to gain experience and inspiration from everyone here, and to seek advice from my colleagues and the judges. It has been an eye-opener talking to the judges about how I should price my work and I have gained invaluable business knowledge by participating in One Year On exhibition." Surface Pattern Programme Director, Linda Nottingham said: "Hannah began to develop a very distinctive drawing style towards the end of her degree giving her a unique body of work. Her drawings are intricate, highly detailed and beautiful
patterns inspired by nature. Hannah is a wonderful surface pattern designer whose work has very wide applications including fashion, interiors, graphic design and illustration. She was highly successful at New Designers in London and at Indigo, Paris in 2009. She was offered a place at The One Year On week at New Designers 2010, and we were delighted to hear that she won the award. This is a marvellous accolade and thoroughly deserved by Hannah. She is a very passionate and talented designer who, I am sure, can look forward to a very exciting future." During the same New Designers event, 2010 graduate Hannah Stowell won the Selvedge Textile Award while other exhibiting graduates secured job offers from companies such as Laura Ashley, Sainsbury's, Monsoon/Accessorize, Mammas and Pappas, Joules, the Guardian/Observer newspaper and Clinton Cards.
SWANSEA MET ANIMATORS ENJOY FILM SUCCESS
It has been revealed that a short sci-fi film, animated by Swansea Metropolitan University students and starring Bafta award-winning actor Noel Clarke, is to be made into a full-length feature film. Reign of Death was initially released as a short film in 2009 and follows a private eye (Clarke) and his animated robotic partner, Jimmy the Snitch, in the pursuit of a robotic murder suspect. It is a 1940s sci-fi noir murder mystery, directed by Doctor Who concept artist Matt Savage, which uses CGI characters and backdrops that were animated by students from Swansea Met's world renowned 3D computer animation degree course during the summer of 2009.
The original six-minute film was so well received that production has now started on a full-length feature, again staring Clarke and written by Savage. Over the past twelve months the short film has been screened at the London Independent Film Festival, Sci-Fi London and the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California. The students involved in the film were Jordan Davies and Frederick Hughes from Port Talbot, Stephen Williams from Llanwrda in Carmarthenshire, Nick Cox from Yeovil in Somerset and Linus Hoffman from County Cork in Ireland.
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GO WALES HELPS SMU GRADUATE TO KICK START CAREER!
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
When David Rees graduated from Swansea Metropolitan University this summer with a BSc (Hons) in Web Management he sought assistance from the GO Wales team at SMU to help gain employment. GO Wales offers a range of employment and work experience opportunities to help kick start your career.
David secured a GO Wales 10 week work placement with Concept 2010, a Swansea based lead generation and marketing company. As a talented Web Designer/Developer David was tasked with a project that included overhauling the company’s current website to reflect the organisations growth and development.
He has also designed and created several micro sites to promote additional company services and increase search engine optimisation results. Gavin Williams Director at Concept 2010 explains ‘David has completed work to a high standard; we are really pleased with his progress and are in the process of extending his employment after the placement.’
For more information on the services GO Wales offers please visit www.gowales.co.uk or contact the SMU GO Wales team on 01792 481109.
David commented ‘the placement has given me experience of building web sites from concept briefs through to completion; this has really increased my confidence. GO Wales is an excellent way of gaining commercial exposure and enhancing your CV’.
TWO SWANSEA MET CIPD STUDENTS PRESENTED WITH A ‘STUDENT OF THE YEAR’ AWARD Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre played host to the annual Chair’s lunch of the South Wales branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in September. At the event, attended by both Swansea and Neath Lord Mayors, two Swansea Business School CIPD students were
presented with a ‘student of the year’ award. Louise Bolter from Tata Steel, received an award for outstanding results achieved in the Post Graduate qualification and Darren Castaldi received honours for the foundation CIPD award. Dr. Maggie Inman, CIPD Course Director and Head of the Centre for Professional studies, applauded the hard work put in by all students and commended Louise and Darren for their excellent achievements.
CIPD qualifications are nationally recognised as a benchmark for professionalism and are a requirement for many Human Resource and Learning and Development roles. This year marks the launch of a range of new CIPD
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qualifications designed to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for. Swansea Business School offer the full range of qualifications starting at level 3, the Foundation Certificate in Human Resource Practice or Foundation Certificate in Learning and Development, through to the Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management (HRM) and the Post Graduate Diploma in HRM. All programmes are delivered on a part time basis over one or two years. For more information, please contact Dr. Maggie Inman at Margaret.inman@smu.ac.uk.
Photo: Lord Mayor Neath Port Talbot Cyril James and Consort; Dr. Maggie Inman, Head of the Centre of Professional Studies, Swansea Business School ; Lord Mayor of Swansea Richard Lewis; CPP student of the year Darren Castaldi; CIPD student of the year, Louise Bolter and CIPD South West Wales Chair Mary Dunford.
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SWANSEA MET OFFERS HELP TO BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS ALUMNI
Help and advice is on hand for Swansea Metropolitan University students and graduates who wish to start their own business.
Recent figures have clearly shown that Swansea Metropolitan University produces significantly more successful graduate startup business than any other higher education institution in Wales. According to the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey (HEBCIS), the number of Swansea Met graduate start-up businesses, which have survived three years or more, are by far the highest in Wales. In fact, twenty-six percent of all thriving Welsh graduate start-ups began their life at Swansea Met.
developing our students’ ‘right’ brain entrepreneurial skills, such as creativity, through to helping to commercialise ideas. Our team includes academics, business mentors and graduates. It is our entrepreneurial graduates who make the offering at Swansea Met quite unique, with our alumni experiences guiding our thinking and helping to shape the support we give.” One of the support mechanisms on offer for budding entrepreneurs is the regular Shut Up and Start Up event. Shut Up and Start Up is an entrepreneurs club founded to help encourage graduates and undergraduates from Swansea Met to pursue their own business ventures. The club is entering its third year in 2011. Its mission is to offer no-nonsense business advice from local business people, helping its members gain the confidence to start a company. The club operates in a seminar format, with one or two key speakers giving attendees a chance to hear anecdotes from people who have experience of starting their own business, followed by a question and answer session and a chance to network.
“It is our entrepreneurial graduates who make the offering at Swansea Met quite unique, with our alumni experiences guiding our thinking and helping to shape the support we give.”
Such is Swansea Met’s prominence in graduate entrepreneurship that the University’s Professor of Creative Entrepreneurship, Andy Penaluna, has taken up the role as Chair of Enterprise Educators UK, a government-initiated group that helps Universities to develop more innovative and enterprising students.
Swansea Met’s Enterprise Manager, Kathryn Penaluna, said: “The help that has been given to our successful businesses to-date is open to all Swansea Met alumni. We would like to let graduates know that we offer a range of support activities to help them start up their own businesses. We support entrepreneurship in all its guises, from
The club also offers signposts towards available funding and is launching a webbased advice service in the last quarter of 2010.
The Shut Up and Start Up club is run by an award-winning Swansea Met-based start-up company, FauvelKhan, which is celebrating three successful years in business. FauvelKhan is a multidisciplinary design studio working from offices at Swansea Met and in Cardiff. It was founded in 2007 by former Swansea Met students Luke Khan, an industrial design graduate originally from Cardiff, and Warren Fauvel, an automotive design graduate. In the three years since its inception, work produced by FauvelKhan has received over twenty national and international awards, has been featured on BBC TV, and has been displayed in the O2 arena. The founders’ commitment to quality has also ensured that over 89% of clients return with more work and 100% have recommended the business to someone. In spite of their increasing portfolio of clients and the subsequent work that is generated, Warren and Luke have not forgotten the support and advice given to them by Swansea Met’s Commercial Services department. As a result, they have poured their energy into helping potential graduate start-up businesses at the University through the Shut Up and Start Up scheme. Shut Up and Start Up meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month, usually at Swansea Met’s Mount Pleasant campus. Anyone who is interested in attending should contact Kathryn Penaluna on 01792 481199, email kathryn.penaluna@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk/shutupstartup
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MET TIES AUSSIE ARTIST DOWN TO CAMPUS VISIT
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
visit the University and learn about its one-hundred and sixty year history within art education. The visit came about after a chance meeting between Rolf, who turned eighty this year, and Swansea Met industrial design lecturer, Chris Thomas, in the Swansea Valley.
He's an Australian-born artist with Welsh connections and he's spent some time at Swansea Metropolitan University's Alexandra Road campus - can you tell who he is yet? To the delight of staff in Swansea Met's Welsh School of Architectural Glass and the School of Industrial Design, the legendary Rolf Harris took some time out of his busy schedule to
Chris said: "I approached Rolf Harris and a film crew from the BBC in Ystradgynlais, They happened to be filming, outside my house, a documentary about the work of the Polish artist Josep Herrman, who had spent time painting in the village during the 1940s and 50s." He added: "They said that they would be filming in the city centre later that week so I invited him to visit us at the University." Before heading back to London after six days of filming in Wales, Rolf joined Swansea Met
staff within the University's Alexandra Road building, which has produced some of Wales' greatest artists. The Australian also made use of the outstanding acoustics within the round Reading Room of the former central library, giving an impromptu performance of his rhythmic voice.
Chris said: "I handed over an information pack of catalogues from the Welsh School of Architectural Glass and the School of Industrial Design. He showed great interest and energy in visiting the Reading Room, where we currently have a graduate exhibition. He commented on the quality of the ideas and the craftsmanship involved and was interested to hear about the future plans for the building and the two Schools. "Rolf, via his mobile, conducted a series of charismatic radio interviews in the Reading Room with such energy it would put most teenagers to shame." Earlier this summer, an exhibition celebrating sixty years of Rolf's artistic work was on show at the Ice House in Swansea's SA1.
DOUBLE CELEBRATION FOR SWANSEA GLASS STUDENT
A Swansea Metropolitan University student is enjoying a double celebration as she has not only successfully graduated with a degree in Architectural Glass, but has also won one of the discipline’s biggest national student prizes.
winning entries.
deep history and I've learned so much."
Stacey's prize is an astonishing forty-week work placement within a variety of the world's best stained glass and conservation studios.
Megan Stacey, from Neath, was presented with the prestigious Award for Excellence at the Stevens Competition for Architectural Glass Design, the only national competition of its kind.
About her double celebration, Stacey said: "It's a real privilege to win the Stevens Competition award. I've really enjoyed my time at Swansea Met. The Welsh School of Architectural Glass is quite a small department; it has a very nice community atmosphere. The lecturers and the students interact very closely and the equipment available to us is fantastic. It's been a real pleasure to study in a place steeped in such a
For the past 75 years, students from Swansea Metropolitan University's Welsh School of Architectural Glass have dominated the prestigious annual competitions run by The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.
The competition, run by The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass, attracted nearly fifty entries from students and young artists from all over the country. This year's awards took place at Glaziers Hall, located on the south side of London Bridge. These annual competitions demand an imaginative approach to design and workmanship of a high quality. A distinguished panel of practising craftsmen assessed the entries. In recent years the competition has attracted a sponsor who has commissioned work of his or her choice from among the prize-
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This year Swansea Met's Welsh School of Architectural Glass is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Fittingly, the Stevens Competition has been a strong part of the School's history, with Swansea students regularly collecting prizes since Howard Martin in 1937, one of the School's first students and its early pioneer. This fact was even referenced in a 1974 inspector's report, which stated that ‘there were few years in which students did not win a prize or travelling scholarship.' Such a winning legacy has cemented the School's international reputation in stained glass education. Programme Director, Lisa Burkl said: "This is a terrific achievement for Stacey and one which is thoroughly deserved. Her work was of the highest standard and the chance to travel and gain valuable experience will be of great benefit to her."
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EXHIBITION ACCOMPANIES BLACK MOUNTAIN CWTCH
ALUMNI
Beacons National Park Authority Chief Executive, John Cook, and Swansea Met's Dean of Art and Design, Professor Andrea Liggins. ‘Cwtch' hit the headlines as a unique open-air gallery where a crumbling 4,000 year old burial cairn became a giant crib. The blanket was knitted from 12 miles of yarn, hand spun from local mountain sheep. ‘Cwtch', Welsh for snuggle up or cuddle, explores the relationship between the artist and an earthy landscape - celebrating the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Ann said: "This project has been a wonderful experience. Whilst exploring my own personal relationship with the Black Mountain I have met and learnt so much about the history, culture and of the people who live and work in the area. There are so many people to thank but I'd just like to make a special mention to the local graziers, the Meithrin Mynydd Liaison Group, Cadw, Countryside Council for Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the Environment Agency, the Art Council of Wales, Tawe Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers and the people of Brynamman and Llanddeusant, Rob Newell at Swansea Metropolitan University and my family." The origins of the old coffin route date back hundreds of years to a time when men from the farms around Llanddeusant left the village and walked over the Black Mountain to find work in the quarries and coal mines. It was the time of the Rebecca Riots and also a time when wool had reached rock bottom prices. When the men from Llanddeusant died in the mines or quarries their bodies were carried homeward over the Black Mountain by the men from Brynamman. The men were met halfway on the Black Mountain by the men from Llanddeusant who then carried the bodies home so they could be finally laid to rest in the churchyard of St Simon and St Jude at Llanddeusant. The bodies of the men were always wrapped in woollen blankets because centuries before, a Parliamentary Act of 1666 decreed that all corpses should be buried in a woollen blanket in an attempt to save the British wool industry from foreign imports. John Cook said: "Ann has worked very hard on this fantastic project which revisits traditional skills and celebrates the National Park and its local communities."
Following the installation of a Swansea Metropolitan University student's 20ft hand knitted wool blanket deep in the heart of Brecon Beacons National Park, saw the launch of an accompanying exhibition at the Black Mountain Centre in Brynaman. Situated on the Black Mountain, Carnau y Garreg Las burial cairn became home to the blanket - part of an inspiring art exhibition entitled ‘Cwtch' by conceptual artist and Swansea Met MA student Ann Jordan, from Killay in Swansea.
Professor Andrea Liggins said: "Ann Jordan is an artist who impacts upon a place, not with a sharpness or a loud crash, but with gentleness and warmth, just as the title of her new work suggests, ‘Cwtch'. In a previous work, ‘Transfusion', she wrapped Swansea's former Dynevor School in its transition to Swansea Met's Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media with a giant celebratory red ribbon. For her ‘Cwtch' project she again is using material in the form of 12 miles of hand spun wool to wrap, protect, guide and to trace a journey."
Complementing the blanket installation was an exhibition within the Black Mountain Centre which comprised of various images from Ann Jordan's project as well as film footage of the blanket's journey and a fictional story written and narrated by Ann herself. The exhibition was opened by Brecon
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STUDENTS’ PUBLIC ART PROJECT RECOGNISED AT NATIONAL RAIL AWARDS
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
A public art project completed by eight students from Swansea Metropolitan University and on display at Swansea’s High Street train station has been awarded third prize in the 2010 Association of Community Rail Partnership Awards. Earlier this year, as a part of the final year of their BA (Hons) General Illustration course, the students volunteered to take part in the project funded by Arriva Trains Wales. The objective of the project was to improve the appearance of the approaches to the railway station while giving the students valuable work experience. Each of the participating students graduated during the summer.
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The theme of the project was ‘destinations’ and the sixteen murals reflect iconic scenes from around the rail network, such as Pontypridd, Wrexham, Llandudno, Mumbles and Llandrindod. Speaking at the awards held in Southend, Swansea Met Programme Director Duncan McLaren, said: “It is a pre-requisite of the general illustration degree course that final year students engage with industry through at least one of their major projects. This assignment from Arriva Trains Wales offered eight students valuable experience in working to a tight deadline with a client, whilst satisfying both technical and aesthetic constraints.”
“The students all found the experience both enjoyable and beneficial and felt they had gained a great deal from this collaboration. I will now look forward to the possibility of a similar project with Arriva Trains Wales in 2011 and the programme team and students will strive to repeat this success again.”
Geraint Morgan, Community Affairs Manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “The award is credit for the students’ hard work in helping us improve the appearance of this part of the station and we’re delighted that the project has been recognised nationally in what was a very competitive category.”
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SWANSEA MET LECTURER TO REPRESENT WALES AT VENICE BIENNALE ALUMNI
Swansea Metropolitan University lecturer Tim Davies has been chosen to represent Wales at the 2011 Venice Biennale. Venice Biennale is the world’s pre-eminent showcase for international art and it was inaugurated over one hundred years ago, in 1895, as an international art exhibition. The 54th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale will take place between June and November 2011 and Swansea Met’s Head of Fine Art, Tim Davies, will be flying the flag for Wales.
collaborator and has featured Tim Davies’s work in London gallery showings in recent years.
the profile of the Faculty’s extensive research work. I wish Tim every success.”
Tim already has an international reputation as an artist. He was the winner of the Fine Art Gold Medal at the National Eisteddfod in 2003 and was selected for Artes Mundi 1 in 2004. In 2008 he was a Major Creative Wales Award recipient from Arts Council of Wales. Tom Rowland, who has assembled an experienced team to support Tim Davies’s Biennale project, and who will curate the exhibition, is a long-standing
Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design at Swansea Met, Professor Andrea Liggins, said: “I’m absolutely delighted about Tim’s nomination to represent Wales at such a prestigious event. The Faculty and the University are really pleased to be supporting Tim in this major project, which will bring a wealth of experience to the Faculty as a whole and particularly the students. In addition, a unique opportunity like this will no doubt raise
Swansea Met’s attachment with the Venice Biennale runs parallel with Welsh involvement in the showcase. Lecturer and photographer Peter Finnemore represented Wales at the 2005 Biennale while last year two Swansea Met video students completed a unique work experience placement with Velvet Underground founder John Cale, on the production of his exhibit for the Venice Biennale.
DID YOU COMPLETE A COURSE AT SMU IN 2010? 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 by the Careers Service.
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
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SWANSEA MET MOTORSPORT TEAM WORLD BEATERS
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Swansea Metropolitan University's Formula Student Team have yet again proved themselves to be one of the best motorsport teams in the world, having confirmed themselves as best in Wales, top three in the UK and, even more impressively, top twelve in the world, after the 2010 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 approximately one hundred 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.
It is the third year in a row that Swansea Met has finished in or around the world's top ten, as the first and only Welsh University to be seeded. Swansea Met also maintained its longstanding position as the top Welsh team and, for the third year in a row, secured its place in the UK top three. In addition, in one of the most competitive categories, acceleration, the team were best in the UK and seventh in the world. The event is the biggest of its kind in the world and is sponsored by big names in the automotive field such as Shell, National Instruments and the IET. The speed of a Formula Student car is parallel to that of a super car, with a 060 speed of 3.5 seconds, and is produced at a cost of £15,000. The production of this car was partly
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achieved with kind sponsorship from a number of national and international companies.
huge result for the guys and their world ranking does justice to the time and effort they have given."
Faculty Advisor, Malcolm McDonald said: "Of the frontrunners in this competition, Swansea Met is probably the only all undergraduate team, with many other institutions including postgraduate and research students. The Swansea Met team is totally responsible for the design and engineering of the car and the results this year, and in previous years, clearly show that Swansea Met is punching above its weight in comparison with its high budget, international competitors. This is a
Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner, added: "Swansea Metropolitan University is very proud of the design, mechanical and management skills of its motorsport students. Some of the money used by the team is for widening participation and many of our students have come through the foundation degree and HND routes before undertaking their degrees."
TOP JOBS FOR MET ALUMNI AT INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY ALUMNI
Two Swansea Metropolitan University graduates have gained high-status jobs at one of the world’s most successful motorsport and automotive technology companies, Prodrive. Motorsport engineering and design graduates, twenty-six year old Gareth Wyn Jones from Llanfyllin in Powys and twenty-three year old Mike Potter from Kidderminster, join a number of Swansea Met graduates who already work for the company. Prodrive employ five hundred people at operations in the UK, China and Australia. They work with vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers across the world, developing new technologies and niche vehicles. Since their formation in 1984, they have won more than one hundred international rallies and six World Rally Championship titles with Subaru, five
British Touring Car Championships with BMW, Alfa Romeo and Ford, and they are also involved in international sports car racing with Aston Martin Racing. In addition, they won the GT1 class at the Le Mans 24 Hours with a privatelybacked Ferrari team in 2003 and with Aston Martin Racing in 2007 and 2008.
Gareth and Mike join Prodrive after helping Swansea Met’s Formula Student team reaffirm its place as one of the best in the world, last July. For Gareth, it was his work on the design of the University’s car that secured his place at Prodrive. He said: “The job came as a result of a presentation I gave to their top engineers in September of last year. The purpose of the presentation was to describe the plans I had for the 2010 Formula Student car, which was also my final year project. “Following good feedback and positive words after the presentation, I kept Prodrive in touch with my project progress, and the progress of the car throughout the year. In April, I was asked by Prodrive’s Head of Engineering to send my CV and, as a result, I was given a job as a Design Engineer without the need for any form of interview.”
Gareth and Mike and their achievement proves how accessible vocational higher education is. For example, Gareth joined our HND course as a mature student, following a career as a senior technician at Ford. After the HND, he undertook our degree programme and has now gained his place at one of the biggest automotive companies in the world. Prodrive only select their graduate employees from a small number of international universities, one of which is Swansea Met.”
“Prodrive only select their graduate employees from a small number of international universities, one of which is Swansea Met.”
Head of the School of Automotive Engineering at Swansea Met, Roger Dowden, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of both
Gareth concluded: “My time at Swansea has been a great experience. It's been challenging at times but I must say that there is absolutely no replacement for honest hard work. I feel that people who work hard through their university days are repaid by getting the jobs that they deserve.” Students and graduates from Swansea Met’s School of Automotive Engineering have worked with some of the world’s biggest names such as McLaren F1, Mitsubishi Ralliart, Tech 3 Yamaha Moto GP, Ford, Jaguar and Aston Martin to name but a few.
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SWANSEA MET PROFESSOR RECEIVES FIRST UNIVERSITY OF WALES ALLIANCE RESEARCH CHAIR
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
A Swansea Metropolitan University Professor has become the first recipient of a University of Wales sponsored Alliance Research Chair which will further enhance the University's work with industries across Wales.
Alliance partner institution. The Chairs will act as focal points for work on panAlliance initiatives and will also work with the University of Wales' prestigious industry-based programme, the Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarships (POWIS).
Professor Kelvin Donne is the Dean of Swansea Met's Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering, which is comprised of seven schools with over one hundred academic and support staff and approximately two thousand students.
Professor Donne has extensive research experience in the Computer Aided Modelling and Visualisation of radiation and thermal transport, Boundary Element and Finite Element analysis and the modelling of crack growth in brittle materials. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards (NAFEMS) World Congress award for Most Innovative Use of Simulation Technology.
The Chair has been created as part of the University of Wales's commitment to working in partnership with the institutions in Wales that offer University of Wales degrees; Swansea Metropolitan University, Glyndŵr University, University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC), Trinity University College in Carmarthen and University of Wales Lampeter. This has led to the creation of the ‘University of Wales Alliance' whose primary goal is to develop new strategic initiatives that will contribute to the economic, social, cultural and intellectual well-being of Wales. This is the first out of a total of five University of Wales Research Chairs; one of which will be based in each
Congratulating Professor Donne on his appointment, University of Wales ViceChancellor, Professor Marc Clement said: "The University is delighted to welcome Kelvin Donne as the holder of the first of its Alliance Research Chairs. The work he is planning at Swansea Met exemplifies the University of Wales Alliance approach to supporting and benefitting Welsh industry through innovative thinking and applied research. I am looking forward to the announcement of more appointments very soon."
Professor Donne added: "The Faculty has a well established reputation of supporting Wales' high-tech economy, in particular the medical devices, automotive manufacturing, design and digital media industries.
The University of Wales sponsored Research Chair will enable us to expand our research group so that we can enhance our engagement with Knowledge Transfer activities. It will also provide us with a solid base, over the next five years, to progress our applied research in computer simulation and visualisation techniques that will support the Welsh manufacturing and creative industries." Ongoing research activities within the Faculty include the establishment of a Knowledge Transfer Centre in cutting and fabrication, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF), with further support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Professor Donne has led a research group in the Faculty's Welsh School of Architectural Glass, investigating novel product development methods including the use of recycled glass waste. Swansea Met is also engaged in research for the automotive windscreen repair and replacement industry, which is sponsored by the world market leader Belron®. As the parent company of many recognised brands globally, which includes Autoglass®, Belron® is increasingly an inward investor in the Welsh manufacturing sector and Swansea Met has become one of the key research partners for the company's worldwide research programme. In addition, Professor Donne's research group works with United Aerospace Ltd in Pembroke, Wales, investigating the manufacture of advanced composite materials for the country's aerospace industry. The University, in partnership with The Welding Institute (TWI), is also a lead academic partner in the Non Destructive Testing and Evaluation Validation Centre, based in South Wales. For more information about the University of Wales please visit www.wales.ac.uk
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TECHNIUM PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING – THE IDEAL CENTRE FOR INNOVATIVE PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
ALUMNI
Technium Performance Engineering – the ideal centre for innovative product design and development.
Technium is a technology–led innovation network that provides the relevant knowledge, support and physical facilities to help technology businesses in Wales realise their potential for long-term growth. The network consists of eleven business incubators across Wales, each with its own unique technology focus and local contacts. Technium Performance Engineering in Llanelli is a partnership owned and managed by the Welsh Assembly Government and supported by Swansea University, IBM, Carmarthenshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gâr, Swansea Metropolitan University, the Welsh Automotive Forum, the Aerospace Wales Forum and the British Automobile Racing Club (Pembrey). This centre is the ideal location for companies involved in innovative product design and development, for example the facility may be of particular interest to companies developing technology in Low Carbon Vehicles or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Modern Facilities for your Design and Development
Technium Performance Engineering at Llanelli is perfectly situated to gain the best advantages of local expertise, for example from the Welsh Automotive Forum, the Wales Aerospace Forum and the Low Carbon Vehicle Cluster. The centre is also an easy distance away from test facilities such as BARC’s Pembrey Race Circuit and the ParcAberporth UAS facility and is based only five minutes off the M4. Technium Performance Engineering has excellent facilities ideally suited to the design and production of your technology, such as the IBM Product Lifecycle Management Suite. This suite includes CATIA and SmartTeam, core PLM application software which support and manage collaborative creation, simulation and visualisation of products, processes and resources. These software applications are already widely used within manufacturing industry, and in particular by automotive and aerospace companies. Other facilities available to resident companies include first class office accommodation, extensive meeting rooms including a 60 seat conference room and high quality workshops incorporating a product showcase facility. Members also benefit from extensive business and technical support provided by the Welsh Assembly Government and its partner organisations.
For more information please visit: www.technium.co.uk/performanceengineering
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MINISTER “IMPRESSED” BY SWANSEA MET’S INDUSTRY LINKS
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Knowledge Transfer Centre in cutting and fabrication and its research group investigating novel product development methods including the use of recycled glass waste. In addition, the Minister was presented with an overview of the University’s research collaboration with national charity Cerebra, a Carmarthen-based organisation which supports children with neurological difficulties, and their families.
Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Children, Education and Life-Long Learning, Leighton Andrews, visited Swansea Metropolitan University to learn more about the institution’s cutting-edge involvement with industry. During his visit, Mr Andrews met with Swansea Met ViceChancellor, Professor David Warner, and members of the University’s senior management. He was given a presentation about the work of Swansea Met’s Creative Industries Research and Innovation Centre (CIRIC), based within the University’s Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media, before visiting Swansea Met’s Alexandra Road building to hear about the world-leading research projects of the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering, as well as the proposed Institute of Sustainable Design and Development. CIRIC was established in 2005 and is a knowledge transfer centre for projects that support the creative industries in Wales.
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Current projects include Moving Image Wales, which supports the digital media industry; the Textiles Technologies Project, which supports the textiles and apparel industries; Creative Innovation in Micro-Enterprises, which supports business through creative intervention; and SATnet, which provides a link between artists and businesses in the science and technology sectors. The Minister enjoyed demonstrations of the University’s advanced RED camera technology, which is four times more powerful than High Definition, and its unique lasercutting technology. He was also shown Swansea Met’s water jet cutting facilities, a tool capable of accurately slicing into a number of different materials using a jet of water at high velocity and pressure. It was also an opportunity to learn about Swansea Met’s ongoing research activities within the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering, including the establishment of a
During his visit, the Minister was given a brief outline of the proposed Institute of Sustainable Design and Development, to be based at Swansea Met’s Alexandra Road campus. This new development would give Swansea Met the capacity to undertake more knowledge transfer activities with businesses and industries as well as giving further scope for the teaching of academic subjects such as product design, industrial design, architectural glass and foundation art and design. It will also transform the nineteenth century building into one with twenty-first century facilities. Through Swansea Met’s industry-centered research projects and its cutting-edge technologies that are available to industries, businesses and charities in the region, the University is ensuring that Welsh companies can remain competitive on a national and international stage.
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SWANSEA MET ACHIEVES A ‘FIRST’ FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS
ALUMNI
Swansea Metropolitan University has once again been highlighted as an environmental leader by being named in the ‘first class' category of the People and Planet's Green League 2010, published recently.
The influential Green League, supported by the WWF-UK, assesses the environmental performance of all the UK universities, focusing on criteria such as environmental policy, management and actual performance in areas such as carbon reduction, waste recycling, energy efficiency, transport emissions, sustainable procurement and water consumption. It is the only league table that ranks 133 UK universities - awarding them a First, 2:1, 2:2, Third, or Fail. This recognition follows many environmental initiatives which have been introduced across the University of late. Recently, Swansea Met gave the biggest indication yet of its environmental credentials with the installation of a solar photovoltaic system on its Mount Pleasant campus. The system is already generating 8.8 kW of electricity which is used in the University's Owen Library, while any surplus energy is exported to the national grid. A similar system is currently being installed at Swansea Met's Townhill campus.
Swansea Met has also recently received the Green Dragon Environmental Standard for its environmental management. The announcement was made by Groundwork, initiators of the Green Dragon certification and a leading local, regional and national environmental regeneration network building sustainable communities across Wales. Last year, the University introduced two small wind and solar powered generator external campus lights, a small but crucial symbol of Swansea Met's environmental intentions. It hopes to introduce two more in the coming months.
best carbon reduction figures in Wales, while coming top fourteen in the UK. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of campaigns within the institution, aimed at staff and students, tackling issues such as sustainability and recycling. This year, the University has signed up to the national 10:10 carbon reduction campaign, with ten weeks of oncampus awareness raising activities.
“We have a very pro-active approach here at Swansea Met regarding the reduction of energy usage and we employ lots of different and innovative tactics. These not only contribute to the greater planetary issues but also help us to save quite a lot of money.”
Swansea Met is one of the top five UK universities for its low energy usage. In addition, the University also produced the
Swansea Met is regularly awarded for its environmental efforts, annually being commended at events such as the prestigious Green Gown Awards, NIACE/ Cyfanfyd Global Citizenship Awards, the SWWITCH Travel Awards and the Sustainable Swansea Awards.
Professor David Warner, Vice Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University, commented: "We have a very pro-active approach here at Swansea Met regarding the reduction of energy usage and we employ lots of different and innovative tactics. These not only contribute to the greater planetary issues but also help us to save quite a lot of money." Swansea Met Environment Manager, Elizabeth May said: "We are delighted to have such an excellent rating in the Green League table. It shows the commitment that Swansea Met, its staff and students have to reducing their environmental impact. However, we still have more to do and hopefully we can continue to move up the table."
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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI AMBASSADOR SCHEME
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Were you an international student who previously studied at Swansea Metropolitan University (formerly Swansea Institute of Higher Education)? Or Are you a British student now living and working overseas?
Would you be interested in helping to represent the University in your country of residence? If so, Swansea Metropolitan University Alumni Office would love to hear from you. The role of an International Alumni Ambassador covers a range of different activities, which will enable you to stay in touch with your University wherever you are in the world and enhance your personal and professional development. The position is extremely flexible, allowing you the opportunity to get involved in as many different ways as you would like. Throughout your time as an Ambassador, the Alumni Office will be on hand to offer support and guidance.
Activities that you may like to get involved in as an International Alumni Ambassador include: Sharing experiences of university life in person or online with prospective and new students to help prepare them for student life in Wales. Offering practical advice and information about your home city, region or country to visiting members of staff from the university and fellow alumni who are relocating.
Liaising regularly with the alumni office and supporting their activities overseas, assist with hosting formal and informal alumni events, establishing alumni groups in your home city or country.
Assisting with activities to help raise awareness of the university in your home country. Participate in school visits and recruitment fairs to provide information to prospective students.
GOVERNMENT MATCHED FUNDING PROGRAMME FOR GIFTS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
The UK Government programme to encourage gifts from alumni and others to support higher education institutions – including Swansea Metropolitan University is now in its final year. As a former student or friend of the University this means we can double the value of your gift until July 2011. 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. Thank you in advance, your gift is an investment in the future of our students.
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If you would like find out more about becoming an International Alumni Ambassador for Swansea Metropolitan University please contact:
Alumni Office 01792 481217 or email alumni@smu.ac.uk
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.
ALUMNI NEWS
WHERE ARE YOU NOW
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ALUMNI
We wish them every happiness! Tanya Simpson (LLB - Graduated 2001) “Nick Deighton and I met in the Townhill Bar in 1998. We got married this February at Rowton Castle in Shropshire. We now live in the East Midlands about 12 miles away from two friends we met at Swansea Institute in 1998. One was our best man, Chris Hambly and the other our usher, Paul Woodhams. Nick, Chris and Paul all work in motorsport and myself a solicitor.” Dr Francis Murphy (HND Mechanical Engineering - Graduated 1970)
Samantha Lyall (HND Business and Finance - Graduated 1994)
Serena Prior (BA Hons) Primary Education - Graduated 1999)
“A native of South Wales, Dr Francis Murphy is a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Cork Institute of Technology in Ireland. Following an engineering education at Swansea College of Technology and Bath University, Francis became a Graduate of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. After a successful career his interest in engineering led him to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management in 1992, a Master of Science Degree in Training in 1996 and a Doctorate in Education in 2005.”
“Spent 4 years living and working in Italy for a US Embedded software company as a software compliance auditor. Fluent Italian speaker …. still love languages. Main career steps have involved working in software industry in either marketing or CRM sales environments. My HND certainly held me in good stead. Now working for the National Trust looking after data quality, CRM and data protection standards.”
“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.”
REUNIONS
Congratulations to Veronica Sanchis, one of this summer's Photojournalism graduates, who was nominated for the prestigious Guardian Student Media Awards in the 'Photographer of the Year' category. Veronica follows SMU graduates Mikko Takkunen, the runner-up last year, and Paul Read, who won the award in 2006.
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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BROADEN YOUR MIND AND HORIZONS
PART-TIME STUDY COULD BE THE KEY TO YOUR FUTURE Swansea Metropolitan University is one of the largest providers of part-time higher education in South West Wales. We offer dozens of vocational courses that are designed to better your job or career prospects. Our courses are built around you, and your busy work and home commitments, so that you can choose to study at your own pace. Many of our part-time courses are available on a daytime basis and some of our students study alongside full-time students. Our courses are developed in partnership with professional organisations which will give you a recognised industry qualification or prepare you for professional examinations in marketing, business or accountancy. CAN I AFFORD TO STUDY? There are many incentives on offer to get you back to study. No tuition fees for part-time undergraduate students who are unwaged.
Those studying at least 50% of a full-time course are entitled to receive a fee grant depending on their household income. Part-time Grants available depending on household income.
For further details please visit: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk Phone free on 0800 731 0884 or email: prospectus@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk
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
CONTACT:
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Julie Reed, Alumni Officer, SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, Tel/Fax: 01792 481217 E-mail: alumni@smu.ac.uk