INTOUCH SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY GRANTED COAT OF ARMS
ISSUE 9 / DECEMBER 2008
COAT OF ARMS
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
The University successfully
? Green and white are the colours
petitioned the College of Arms,
of the House of Tudor which,
which is part of the Royal
together with the red of the mantling,
Household, for the grant of a Coat
make up the colours of the Welsh
of Arms. Such Arms are derived
flag.
COAT OF ARMS
from a combination of historical, geographical and occupational
? The Owl is the creature of the
factors mediated through the long
Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva,
traditions and conventions of
and is holding a Civic Crown
heraldry. Our Arms comprise a
composed of oak leaves
shield, helm and mantling.
thereby denoting the origins of SMU and its
There is much deep symbolism
Celtic roots.
contained within our Coat of Arms, of which the following points are just a
? Numerically, the 18
selection:
breathing holes in the helm represent the first
? The hazel nuts on the blazon of
full-time student intake
the Shield denote both good luck for
into our Art School and
ships on the sea (our maritime
the 38 terminal points of
location) and a strong (Celtic)
the mantling represent
connection with wisdom. Their
our original students in
number relates to our founding
teacher education.
colleges.
THE AMORIAL
ENSIGNS OF SWANSEA
METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
FIRST MINISTER OVERSEES UNIVERSITY CELEBRATION
An educational landmark was celebrated as Swansea Metropolitan University marked its recent historic change of title with distinguished guests which included First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM.
Back in January, Swansea Institute won its bid to be renamed Swansea Metropolitan University. Confirmation came from the Privy Council following two years of rigorous inspections which were passed with flying colours. As part of the celebrations, First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM and former Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Commodore Sir Robert Hastie both received Honorary Fellowships. During the event Swansea Met unveiled its new Coat of Arms which had been produced and authorized by the College of Arms. The Lancaster Herald, Robert John Baptist Noel Esq, was in attendance at the Brangwyn Hall to witness the presentation of the new Coat of Arms. In addition, the UK’s most popular contemporary composer, Karl Jenkins, made his own contribution to the event by selecting a number of his own compositions for the procession. Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner said: “This is a new chapter for our institution and education in Wales. We received huge support during our application process which reflects the affection in which the University is held. We would like to thank everybody for their continued support and look forward to a prosperous future for Swansea Metropolitan University.”
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SPECIAL FELLOWSHIPS FOR LEADING WELSH FIGURES ALUMNI
Two of the Principality’s leading figures received Honorary Fellowships at the special celebration event held in the Brangwyn Hall.
The first recipient was First Minister Rhodri Morgan who is the Assembly Member for Cardiff West. Born in 1939 and a graduate of both Oxford and Harvard Universities, he is married to Julie Morgan, MP for Cardiff North, and they have one son and two daughters. Rhodri Morgan was elected to Parliament in 1987 but decided not to stand again in the General Election in June 2001. During his time as an MP, he was Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Public Administration (1997-1999) and served as the Opposition Front Bench Spokesman on Energy (1988-1992) and Welsh Affairs (1992-1997). He was elected as the Assembly Member for Cardiff West in 1999 and, until 2000, was the Assembly Secretary for Economic Development and European Affairs. He was appointed First Secretary of the National Assembly in February 2000, with the title of his office changed to First Minister in October 2000, an office he retained following the 2003 and 2007 elections.
The second recipient was former Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, Commodore Sir Robert Hastie KCVO, CBE, KStJ, RD, JP, RNR. Sir Robert was born in Swansea and educated at Bromsgrove School. He completed his National Service in the Royal Navy in 1953 and then progressed through the ranks of the Royal Naval Reserve, being promoted to Captain in 1974 and becoming Commodore in 1979. He was Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty the Queen in her Jubilee Year of 1977. His service to others was recognised by the award of the Reserve Decoration in 1968 with the Bar added in 1978. In 1983 he became a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and in 1996 The Order of St John Priory for Wales made him a Commander (Brother) and in 2006 a Knight of Grace of that Order. In the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order - a personal gift of the Queen - for his outstanding service to the monarchy as Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.
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CORPORATE IDENTITY
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
The University’s new corporate identity has been
designed and developed by Latvian-born Graphic Design student Kristina Hacikjana. Kristina was the outstanding winner in a competition to design the University’s new look from over forty entries submitted by students. The new logo is based around a triskelion (three-legged symbol) which is very common in Celtic artwork and reflects the fact that Swansea Metropolitan University is based on three original colleges. The actual shapes used have connotations of bud form and growth and come from a paradigm of culturally accepted shapes representing elements of life. As Kristina puts it, “After studying the various symbols I could use, I liked the idea of using non-aggressive designs, which were elegant and smooth transitions. This appealed to me because it would reflect the friendly aspects of Swansea Metropolitan University.” Design student Kristina Hacikjana and lecturer Dr Andy Penaluna are pictured with the new University logo.
METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY NEWS
Recent figures published in the Grant Thornton Higher Education Financial Yearbook for 2008/9 show that Swansea Metropolitan University has the best financial record in Wales and the fourth best in the whole of the UK. The key table looks at the net surplus provided over a five year period by 159 UK institutions of higher education. During this period, Swansea Met has produced an average surplus of 9.85% on turnover. Professor David Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University comments, “We strive to be an efficient
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and effective university and our financial prudence will enable us to give substantial pay rises to staff, have the best conditions of employment and acquire suitable assets as and when they arise.
Latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show that Swansea Metropolitan University has significantly exceeded the target set by the Government for the employment of its graduates. Every year an audited survey is undertaken of all UK graduates, six
months after the completion of their studies to see if they are in a job or not. Each UK University is given an employment target based upon the mix of subjects they offer, and then employment achievement is measured against this target.
Swansea Met have exceeded their target by 1.2% and have come equal second in Wales for this performance. That’s 94.1% of its student in employment or training within six months of graduating against a target of 92.9%.
HONORARY FELLOWSHIP FOR LEADING WELSH BUSINESS FIGURE ALUMNI
One of Wales’ most successful ‘captains of industry’ was honoured at the Swansea Metropolitan University Summer Graduation Ceremony in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
Trudy Norris-Grey, originally from Swansea, is the Managing Director of Strategy and Transformation at British Telecom. Previously, she has held the positions of President and Managing Director of Sun Microsystems (UK and Ireland), Vice President of Channels and Alliances at Oracle UK and Ireland, and Marketing Director for Kodak Professional (Europe, Middle East and Africa). She is one of the UK’s foremost women within the business community and is Chair of the CBI’s Committee on Innovation, Science and Technology. Trudy is a founder member of the CBI’s Climate Change Task Force, working alongside the business leaders from thirteen of Britain’s largest companies and is also a member of the Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change. In addition, she is the Chair of the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science,
Engineering and Technology, whose aim is to enhance the UK GDP by engaging with women in science, technology and engineering.
About her honour, Trudy said: “I am hugely honoured to receive this award. I can remember when I was young sitting on my mother’s lap and dreaming of the future. I never thought that I would get something like this. If only my mother could see me now. I am also delighted for the graduating students who should be proud of their achievements and should now follow their dreams.” She added: “Swansea is a great city and I am a local girl. The last time I was here in
the Brangwyn Hall I was in a wedding dress. That was twenty-three years ago so this is very poignant in many ways.”
RUGBY LEGEND MERV RECEIVES HONORARY FELLOWSHIP
Rugby legend Mervyn Davies OBE has sported a different type of representative colours from the world renowned red jersey of Wales, ‘Merv the Swerve’ donned the historical Swansea Met ceremonial robes to collect his Honorary Fellowship during the University’s Graduation Ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall. Swansea-born Mervyn Davies was educated at Penlan Comprehensive School and then, at the Swansea College of Education, now a part of Swansea Metropolitan University. As one of the legends of world rugby, he won the first of his 38 caps for Wales against
Scotland in 1969. Playing as a No 8, 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.
Instantly recognisable with his trademark white headband, Mervyn was an athletic jumper at the tail of the lineout and his distributive skills were second to none. He was an intelligent reader of the game, providing control at the back of the lineout and scrum, and was a consistently excellent performer. He lost only eight times in 38 consecutive games in a Wales shirt during the 1970s. The headlines were made by Barry John, Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards or, further out in the backs, Gerald Davies and JPR Williams, but the groundwork was done by a street-wise pack in which Mervyn Davies was a lynchpin. Originally, a key part of the great London
Welsh side he moved to Swansea in 1972 to captain the club during its halcyon days, playing 88 games and scoring 15 tries for the ‘All Whites’. As a result, he was voted Welsh rugby player of the year on two occasions, in 1975 and 1976.
In November 1976 Mervyn was awarded an OBE for his services to sport. In a poll of Welsh rugby fans in 2002, Mervyn Davies was voted the greatest ever Welsh Captain. In 2001, he was inducted into the International Rugby Union’s Hall of Fame. Receiving his award, Mervyn said: “I am greatly honoured to accept this Honorary Fellowship, especially as one of the first recipients since the University was renamed Swansea Metropolitan University. As a former student of the then College of Education forty years ago and somebody who has lived in Swansea most of their life, this is a very special and I am looking forward to the day.”
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SWANSEA MET EURO LEADERS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Swansea Metropolitan University’s Enterprise Manager has become one of the first people in Europe to complete a high profile programme promoting International Entrepreneurship within education. Kathryn Penaluna has completed the International Entrepreneurship Educators Programme (IEEP), led by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) and Enterprise Educators UK, which is the first course of its kind in Europe. During a Gala Dinner at Liverpool Cathedral recently, Kathryn and small number of colleagues from across the UK and Ireland were inaugurated as NCGE Entrepreneurship Education Fellows, recognising their achievements as future leaders in enterprise education. The awards were presented to the Fellows by John Courtin, Vice-President of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which has pioneered the development of entrepreneurship in American Universities for many years. NCGE Entrepreneurship Education Fellows will create a network of expertise that will help shape the success of entrepreneurship at universities, HEIs and FEIs in the UK, Ireland and overseas.
The Programme seeks to create future leaders in the field, ‘masters of their craft’, who will shape their teaching and learning environments as better places for developing entrepreneurial mindsets, behaviours and skills in our students and graduates.
For more information 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
Swansea Metropolitan University, and in particular Kathryn, has demonstrated its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship to its students and this Fellowship recognises the work carried out at Swansea Met in advancing the field of entrepreneurship education. During the last twelve months, IEEP modules were hosted across the UK and participants were given access to a wealth of global experience in the field. Module leaders included Tony Mendes and Paul Magelli of the University of Illinois, one of the Kauffman Foundation’s leading Campus Projects in the USA; Ben Way, one of the youngest and most successful internet entrepreneurs; and Emeritus Professor Allan Gibb, a world renowned leader in the field of entrepreneurship education. On receiving the Fellowship, Kathryn said: “This award demonstrates that Swansea Metropolitan University is at the forefront of entrepreneurship education and reflects our innovative approaches for enhancing our student’s entrepreneurial capabilities”.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES TRAINING
Pictured in the photo are (l-r): John Courtin, Vice-President, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Kathryn Penaluna; Chris Hall, Chair Designate of Entrepreneurship Educators UK; and Professor Paul Hannon, NCGE Director of Research and Education.
Swansea Metropolitan University’s Commercial Services Department delivers training at the University or at your place of work:
? CILT (UK) Logistics and Transport qualifications ? ILM Management Programmes ? IOSH Managing Safely/Health and Safety ? CPC National Road Haulage ? Introduction to Sageline 50 Training ? Management of Organisational Change ? Completing Self Assessment Tax ? Range of Personal Development Programmes for Team Leaders and Managers ? Business Process Re-engineering Please contact: Brian Miles, Training Co-ordinator / Cydlynydd Hyfforddi Commercial Services / Gwasanaethau Masnachol Telephone No / Rhif Ffôn: 01792 481199 Fax Number / Rhif Ffacs: 01792 481122 e-mail / e-bost: brian.miles@smu.ac.uk <mailto:k@smu.ac.uk>
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GRADUATE SPEAKER AT TOP BUSINESS EVENT
ALUMNI
A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate was among the high profile speakers at a convention run by the Chartered Management Institution (CMI), in Cardiff earlier this year. The CMI Wales Nation Convention is an opportunity for professionals to hear how companies are recruiting, developing and keeping talent in Wales. CMI delegates and guest organisations from across Wales attended a series of workshops and seminars during the day. Kate Thomas studied towards her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Swansea Met and is currently working with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Her workshop focused on leadership in the third sector and was well received by the leading Welsh business representatives in attendance. Representing Swansea Met at the event were MBA Programme Director, Mr Steve Griffiths and the Business School’s Head of External Communication, Mr Vic Saunders. This provided an excellent opportunity to promote the Business School, which is a recognised CMI Centre.
A Swansea Met spokeswoman said: “As a leading CMI Centre in Wales it is important for Swansea Met to attend. With a number of high profile business representatives, the networking opportunities are excellent and have a direct benefit for our students, as we are able to invite some of the prominent speakers into the Business School to participate in lectures. “Many new ideas came out of this convention and Swansea Met’s Business School will be promoting them throughout the year.” Attendees at the convention in the Miskin Manor included Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills and Dr Neil Wooding, Director of Public Service Management Wales.
For more information about Swansea Metropolitan University’s Business School, please call 01792 481010, email enquiry@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk
Pictured are Vic Saunders (left) and Steve Griffiths (right) from Swansea Met’s Business School, and Swansea Met graduate and CMI Convention speaker, Kate Thomas.
ADMIRAL SALUTES BUSINESS SCHOOL GRADUATE A Swansea Metropolitan University business graduate has taken the helm at one of Wales’ most successful companies after gaining promotion within Admiral Insurance. Sarah Phillipart, from Pontardawe, graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Human Resource Management. During her studies, she has worked with Gladiator Van Insurance and after six and a half years with the company, has now been promoted from Sales Executive to Sales Coach. Her new role includes new employee induction training, call and quality monitoring, running training programs and workshops, and also identifying training needs and providing feedback. Sarah has received her promotion with the full backing of all her supervisors at Admiral Group. It was decided that she was the most suitable candidate for the position with both her experience at Gladiator and her impressive degree result.
For one of Sarah’s modules, Leadership and Decision Making, an assignment had to be completed in which she interviewed the CEO of Admiral Group, Henry Englehardt. Mr Englehardt is a leadership guru and his theories about the subject have been widely published. Sarah said: “My experience at Swansea Met’s Business School was fantastic! The course content in all modules of my degree was both varied and stimulating, combining theory with real life case studies.” Sarah will be returning to the Business School to complete her professional qualification in Human Resources, which she hopes will broaden her horizons even further within Admiral Group Plc.
Photo: Sarah Phillipart enjoys the double celebration of promotion and a First Class Honours Degree
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Swansea Met Student Clinches Top Business Award
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
The prestigious Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) Student of the Year award has been presented to a Swansea Metropolitan University student during a special lunch ceremony at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. Joanne Mulhearn, from Bonymaen, was presented with her award from the Lord Mayor of Swansea and the Lord Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, in the presence of representatives from the CIPD South Wales branch.
Swansea Met’s CIPD Programme Director, Dr Maggie Inman said: “The presentation of the award is based on several criteria, including attendance, class room participation and successfully passing the examinations and assignments. Joanne has achieved all of these and produced excellent results.”
For more information on CIPD courses at Swansea Metropolitan University, please contact Dr Maggie Inman on 01792 481103, email margaret.inman@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk Photo: CIPD Student of the Year Joanne Mulhearn (centre) is congratulated by representatives from the CIPD, Swansea Metropolitan University, the City and County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Borough Council.
A graduate of Bucks New University, Joanne relocated to Swansea to take up her current role as the Human Resources Manager at Bemis Swansea Limited. On receiving the award, Joanne said: “I’m extremely pleased and shocked to be given this award. When I moved to Swansea I came across the CIPD course run at Swansea Metropolitan University and over the past two years of study I have gained a lot of theoretical knowledge which will compliment my practical experience.”
Surface Pattern Alumni Prove their Quality Recent Alumni from Swansea Metropolitan University’s surface pattern design programmes have reached new heights of success following this year’s New Designers exhibition, held in the Business Centre in Islington, London. Over four thousand graduates exhibited their work to more than seventeen thousand visitors and Swansea Met students Rhiannon Robbins, Harriet Chapman, Hannah Dyke and Nerys Cox all came away with offers of professional work. Rhiannon Robbins, from Carmarthen,
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was chosen for an interview with Idaho Designs, a menswear company based in London. She was also selected to exhibit with The Embroiders Guild in the 2008 Knit and Stitch shows across the UK and Ireland. In addition, Rhiannon showed her work at the Indigo Trade Fair, a leading international exhibition specialising in textile design and creation, in Paris. Harriet Chapman, from Swansea, was one of only ten UK students awarded a place in the Graduate Showcase at Europe’s leading quilt show, the Festival of Quilts, which
took place earlier this year. Harriet was planning to set up her own business following her graduation success in July. Interior fabric designer Nerys Cox, from Cardiff, was approached by a young design company to undertake some freelance work. Hannah Dyke, from Llantwit Major, was offered a two week placement at Tigerprint, a trend-setting company who design greetings cards and gift wraps for Marks and Spencers. They are to profile Hannah’s work on their company website for the use of professional companies, while Hannah joined fellow graduate Rhiannon Robbins at the Indigo Trade Fair.
ALUMNI Picture: Visiting members of the Armed Forces and Swansea Met representatives gather in the Grand Reading Room at the University’s Alexandra Road campus.
GRADUATING COUPLE PARTNER UP TO TRAIN POLICE FORCE A Swansea woman, renowned for being the first female Inspector in the Dyfed Powys Police force, and her Police Sergeant husband celebrated their graduation together after studying on a teacher training course at Swansea Metropolitan University. Husband and wife Sergeant Peter Evans and Inspector Carole Evans, from Pontardulais, both work within the police force and are involved with police training. This training is very important, especially for Dyfed Powys Police who cover a land mass of over half of Wales, including the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.
SENIOR ARMED FORCES MEMBERS VISIT SWANSEA MET
Swansea Metropolitan University played host to some of the world’s most senior members of the Armed Forces at its Mount Pleasant campus recently.
The high profile visit to Swansea Met’s Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering was organised by the Royal College of Defence Studies, who brought the delegation to Wales. During the visit, the tour party spent time with leading figures in the political, industrial and economic fields, as well as exploring the academic expertise locally at Swansea Met. The University is one of the few institutions in the UK to train the Armed Forces, particularly in the subject of logistics. At the specific request of the MoD, the Faculty has taken the training to the students with a programme of weekend tutorials and seminars taking place at the home of the Royal Logistics Corps, and a number of distance learning packages. These are supplemented by summer schools at Swansea Met’s Mount Pleasant campus.
Peter, who is now retired, and Carole came to Swansea Met looking to gain a qualification which would help them to train and instruct in adult and work-based education. As a result, they enrolled on Swansea Met’s PGCE/CertEd (PCET) programmes. At Swansea Met’s Graduation Ceremony in the Brangwyn Hall both Carole and Peter graduated with distinctions. Carole gained a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education and Peter, a Certificate in Education. The University offers numerous part-time and full-time teacher training programmes aimed at helping existing or intending teachers, lecturers, instructors and trainers in higher, further, Adult and Community or Work-based education. PGCE/CertEd (PCET) Programme Director, Pat Davies said: “Carole and Peter were exemplary students and demonstrated the highest professional standards. They will certainly be enhancing the quality of training in the Dyfed Powys Police force in the future.”
Photo: Sergeant Peter Evans and Inspector Carole Evans celebrate their success at Swansea Metropolitan University’s Graduation Ceremony.
The Royal College of Defence Studies is the senior institution of its kind in the United Kingdom. With a membership of 92 people, there are 48 different nationalities in total and the members are generally of Colonel to Brigadier rank, senior Government officials or rising executives in the Private Sector. All members are prominent in their relevant organisations and are expected to eventually occupy the most senior appointments in their profession. The nine delegates who visited Swansea Met were led by Air Marshall A.G. Walton, and included delegates from Argentina, Egypt, Austria, Croatia, Serbia as well as the Royal Air Force, British Army and Ministry of Defence. Dean of the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering, Dr Kelvin Donne said: “This was a very high profile delegation and we were delighted that they chose to visit us. Aside from our existing links with the Armed Forces, we introduced them to the other different areas of our Faculty and the strong industrial and commercial links that we have developed.”
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WORLD CLASS MOTORSPORT TEAM GET HOUSE OF LORDS PRAISE
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Swansea Metropolitan University’s Formula Student team has been in big demand since this year’s competition success, with a personal invite to the House of Lords amongst the high profile visits. The team confirmed themselves as sixth best in the world, second best in the UK and best in Wales after the 2008 Formula Student competition at Silverstone.
Swansea Met’s Head of Automotive Engineering, Roger Dowden said: “The students are now getting all the credit they deserve for their efforts. To be invited to the House of Lords with all of the leading motorsport figures in attendance, as well as Lord Astor of Hever and members of the All Parliamentary Motor Group, is something special.”
Since then the successful students have been invited to a number of events, including the prestigious Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) Reception at the House of Lords, where the good and the great of the industry offered their own personal praise for Swansea Met’s achievements.
Formula Student 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.
The Swansea Met Formula Student car proudly lined up outside the UK’s corridors of power with some of motorsport’s top vehicles from the Formula One and Touring Car Championships. The Driving Standards Agency also called on the team to join them at their recent event in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, aimed at promoting road safety.
This year’s international competition saw over seventy university teams from across the world converge onto the famous Silverstone circuit and each competition car was rigorously tested in areas such as endurance, speed and business viability.
The event is the biggest of its kind in the world and is sponsored by big names in the automotive field such as Honda F1, Shell, National Instruments and the IET. Swansea Met launched the world's first motorsport engineering and design degree in 1998 and it is widely recognised as a leader in this field. Earlier this year, it became one of the first Universities in the UK to gain the highly prestigious title of Motorsport Academy Recognised Educator.
For more information about the School of Automotive Engineering at Swansea Metropolitan University, please contact Roger Dowden on 01792 481168, email roger.dowden@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk
MOTORSPORT GRADUATE RACES TO GLOBAL PRAISE As the motorsport engineering degree at Swansea Metropolitan University celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, one of the first graduates of the course has created a new supercar which has taken the world by storm. Ignacio Fernandez Rodriquez, originally from Spain, was a part of the first cohort of students to undertake the world’s first motorsport engineering and design
degree at Swansea Met (then Swansea Institute) back in 1998. In 2001, he graduated with a 2:1 and went on to forge a high profile career within the motorsport industry, working with the likes of Prodrive, Seat and the Mitsubishi World Rally team. In 2003, Ignacio set up his own consultancy, IFR Automotive, offering an uncompromised approach to automotive research directed towards developing sustainable transportation systems and protecting society’s desire for mobility. In its short existence, IFR Automotive has been pronounced the Best Start Up Company of 2004 by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, University and Enterprise Association, and in 2006 it was nominated as one of Spain’s top five industry research and development businesses. Ignacio’s most recent development is taking the motor industry by storm and received many accolades at the British
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International Motor Show in London. The Aspid, Spanish for asp, is a supercar-quick two-seater vehicle with no creature comforts omitted, promising to be usable around town as well competitive on a track. It meets both FIA safety requirements for racing and European criteria for road use. Its power comes from a 2.0-litre engine and at a light-weight 700kg it can reach speeds of 062mph in 2.8 seconds and 100mph in 5.9 seconds. In addition, it offers good fuel economy and low carbon dioxide emissions. The first production models will be ready later this year and IFR has already taken advance orders, with a six month waiting time for each car. The standard model will cost £75,000 but more advance versions will be available at extra cost. Head of the School of Automotive Engineering at Swansea Met, Roger Dowden said: “We are very proud of Ignacio’s achievements. He, like many of our motorsport graduates, has made a huge impact in the industry, both with the world’s leading companies and now with his hugely successful consultancy. Photo: Swansea Met’s Head of Automotive Engineering, Roger Dowden (right) with graduate and IFR Automotive founder, Ignacio Fernandez Rodriquez at the British International Motor Show.
FAMOUS SWANSEA GLASS IN EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE ALUMNI
Work from five of the world’s leading female glass artists, and Swansea Metropolitan University Alumni, was shown at a high profile exhibition in Liverpool, as a part of the city’s 2008 European Capital of Culture celebrations. Gathering Light an exhibition of international contemporary stained glass was shown at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral between June and August this year. It was opened by the world-renowned artist Patrick Reyntiens OBE, who created the majority of the original glass, including the lantern, in the city’s prominent landmark Cathedral.
Hiscott from Wales, Chinks Vere Grylls from England and Sachiko Yamamoto from Japan. Chris Bird-Jones, the exhibition organiser, is originally from Wrexham and a longestablished glass artist whose work has featured in exhibitions throughout the world. She came to Swansea to learn about glass in the mid-seventies and has since been invited to lecture in many colleges and universities across the globe.
Twenty years ago, a group of female artists working with glass from around the world came together for an exhibition in Germany, entitled ’36 Women from 12 Countries’. This gathering heralded the start of the Women’s International Glass Workshop, which now exhibits across the world.
She has now returned to her roots in Swansea where she lectures in the Welsh School of Architectural Glass at Swansea Met. Catrin Jones, originally from Cardigan, studied architectural stained glass in Swansea from 1979-1982. She has an extensive portfolio of commissions at a number of locations across the UK, including two windows in memory of the wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles in the west wall of St. Mary’s Church in Swansea, and a window for the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.
Of the nineteen global exhibitors on show in Liverpool, five were former students of the famous Welsh School of Architectural Glass at Swansea Metropolitan University. These are Chris Bird-Jones, Catrin Jones and Amber
Swansea resident Amber Hiscott is a professional glass artist whose work includes the Glass Towers in Cardiff Bay, as well as pieces at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, Sheffield Cathedral and the Wales
GLASS ALUMNI NETWORK Following the very successful Stained Glass Alumni event held in March this year when Swansea Metropolitan University’s Welsh School of Architectural Glass celebrated its long and illustrious past with graduates past and present, it is hoped it will now give us the opportunity to establish an active specialist glass alumni network. If you would like to become involved please contact Chris Bird-Jones on Tel: 01792 481179 or email Christine.birdjones@smu.ac.uk.
Millennium Centre. She studied in Swansea in the early seventies and has since lectured and exhibited all over the world. Japanese artist Sachiko Yamamoto, who studied in Swansea during the early nineties, makes intricate, light-filtering glass panels, which contain innumerable, tiny, light-reflecting, glass pieces. Her work can be seen across the world, particularly in Japan where it is displayed in public buildings, such as the Daito Bunka University in Tokyo and Seigakuin University in Saitama. Chinks Vere Grylls, originally from Chelmsford, studied architectural stained glass in Swansea from 1979-81. Today she works as an artist, designer and consultant, and the list of her executed works include memorial windows in St.Stanislaus RC Church in Devon, interior glass walls in St.Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle, and glazed outer and inner walls in Riverside Mental Health Hospital in Torquay. In 2010, Swansea Met’s Welsh School of Architectural Glass will celebrate its 75th anniversary following a long and illustrious past.
PUPILS MAKE THEIR MARK WITH A TOUCH OF GLASS
Two Swansea Metropolitan University glass artists have helped a retiring Swansea Head Teacher and his pupils to make a lasting impression in their School for future generations to enjoy. Pupils from St Joseph’s Infant and Junior Schools, in Greenhill, have worked with architectural glass students Ruth Walker and Beth Downing to create a series of artistic windows, which have now been installed throughout the School.
Earlier this year, Ruth, from Newport, and Beth, from Somerset, spent time with the pupils working on design ideas for the windows. They were encouraged to think about symbols that represented the School and the theme of friendship. The children’s ideas were then incorporated into a series of window designs which were made by Swansea Met’s world renowned Welsh School of Architectural Glass. Ruth a graduate from Swansea Met, said: “They contacted the Welsh School of Architectural Glass to see if we could create some panels for a class room in the Infant School and a Prayer Room in the Junior School. It was important for us to involve the children and to see how we could integrate our work into the National Curriculum.” Beth added: “We asked the children to use symbolism to depict both the local area and the theme of friendship, which is important within a School environment. The designs were very abstract and included the local industry, the River Tawe and even a Celtic Cross which can be found near the School.”
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LOG ON TO CAREERS IN COMPUTING
Swansea Metropolitan University has offered top quality computing degrees for over 30 years, and in an effort to ensure the currency and relevance of its courses to employers, they have enlisted the help of some of Swansea’s biggest companies. These include the DVLA, John Collins Solicitors and Business Systems Services. Open days will take place Wednesday 25th February 2009, Wednesday 6th May 2009 and Wednesday 1st July 2009. All events will take place at Swansea Met’s Mount Pleasant campus, starting at 1pm.
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
The School offers a comprehensive catalogue of computing courses covering software, hardware and networking training. Software related titles include Business and Information Technology, Computing and Information Systems, Computer Networks, Software Engineering and Computer Games Development. Head of Applied Computing, Dr Ian Wells, said: “We have a number of courses on offer in the School and the open days allow us to meet people with an interest in computing and advise them on which courses would be suitable for what they wish to achieve.” Anyone interested in attending an open day is asked to contact the School by calling 01792 481192 or by emailing computing@smu.ac.uk
STUDENT ANIMATION SHORT-LISTED AT TOP FILM FESTIVAL
The final year project of a 3D computer animation graduate from Swansea Metropolitan University has been short-listed at one of the UK’s top film events, the Encounters Short Film Festival.
solving intelligence. The progress of ‘Subject #164’ is observed over a period of approximately three years as scientists document its behavior and progress, until it is exhaustively tested to death.
‘Encounters’, which takes place in Bristol, offers an important platform for both new and established filmmakers to showcase their work. The six day event includes screenings, special events, workshops and masterclasses with key figures throughout the film industry. Referred to as ‘The big thinking short film festival’ by the Guardian, ‘Encounters’ is now in its fourteenth year and will screen the very best short films from around the world.
Dan said: “The idea for this short film developed over a period of weeks where I would mostly wake up in the middle of the night and jot down strange ideas that came to me. From the offset I wanted to create something a little different and also something with a little depth. The idea of a human-like species being put through various tests gave me great freedom to invent some interesting scenarios which hopefully resulted in an original and provocative short film.
Dan Nicholson, originally from York, graduated from the world renowned 3D computer animation degree programme at Swansea Met in July. His final year project, Subject #164, has been short-listed in the International Newcomer Animation category at the event. Subject #164 takes the form of a laboratory documentary filmed in the early 60’s. It follows a newly discovered and apparently unintelligent Neanderthal Humanlike specimen which is found, through testing, to have amazing logic-
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BA 3D computer animation Programme Director, Scott Smith said: “This is a great achievement for Dan who has produced a fantastic piece of work. We are very proud of his success and wish him the best of luck in the competition. Being selected to compete at this event is no small achievement!” Swansea Met’s School of Digital Media is known throughout the industry for the quality
CISCO LOOKS TO SWANSEA FOR GLOBAL NETWORKING SHORTAGE
South Wales’ only Cisco Networking Academy, Swansea Metropolitan University, will endeavour to solve the shortage of networking professionals as it starts the sought after CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) course. Cisco Systems is the world’s biggest networking company and supplies a vast majority of the hardware that enables the internet to function. Today, networks are an essential part of business, education, government and home communications, and Cisco’s Internet Protocol based (IP) networking solutions are the foundation of these networks. The course, which was re-launched last year, will take place at Swansea Met’s Mount Pleasant campus and will last for thirty weeks. Head of the school of Applied Computing, Dr Ian Wells said: “The CCNA is highly sort after by employers and is an internationally recognised qualification in Computer Networking.” For more details on this course, please call 01792 481192 or email ciscoacademy@smu.ac.uk
of its animation programmes. Last year, leading 3D artist’s publication ‘3D World’ voted the School as one of the UK’s top animation educators. In recent years, the School has become a feeder for some of the industry’s biggest names. Student employment destinations include Aardman Animation (Wallace and Grommit), Moving Picture Company (Sweeny Todd, Harry Potter), Double Negative (The Dark Knight, Atonement), EA Games (FIFA 09, Battlefield) and The Mill (Dr Who, Torchwood). The School also organises the international computer graphic imagery event SAND (Swansea Animation Days), which attracts companies, journalists and students from around the world. For more information on Swansea Met’s School of Digital Media, please contact Martin Capey on 01792 481117, email martin.capey@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI AMBASSADOR SCHEME
ALUMNI
Activities that you may like to get involved in as an International Alumni Ambassador include:
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 as they are currently developing an International Alumni Ambassador Scheme.
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.
If you would like find out more about becoming an International Alumni Ambassador for Swansea Metropolitan University please contact Julie Reed, Alumni Officer on 01792 481217 or email alumni@smu.ac.uk
The role of an International Alumni Ambassador covers a range of different activities, which will enable you to stay in touch with your
? 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 ? Providing a profile for inclusion in university promotional material to assist the university in promoting itself in a manner that reflects the real experiences of its students ? Contributing to alumni communications to keep the alumni office informed of any alumni events that have taken place and interesting news surrounding personal achievements which can be included in alumni publications and web pages.
A CALL TO ALL ALUMNI PLEASE UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS BY EMAILING THE ALUMNI OFFICE AT:
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.
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NICK’S DESIGN COMES IN HANDY FOR CORUS
A product design student from Swansea Met’s School of Industrial Design has beaten off stiff competition from across the country to win a top prize at the high profile Corus Design Awards 2008. The annual Design Wales Awards is aimed at undergraduate product design students from across Wales. It is sponsored by Corus and is run in conjunction with Design Wales, which is funded by the National Assembly for Wales. Second year student Nick Haimes, originally from West Sussex, received an award in the Most Marketable Design category in a ceremony at Sofia Gardens, Cardiff. He created a hand warming device called the Handy Heater. Students across Wales were briefed to create a consumer heating or cooling appliance that uses prefinished steel and incorporated environmentally sound principles into its development. Students had to consider the product’s life cycle and its resulting impact on the environment, as well as energy consumption, alternative energy sources and raw materials. Nick’s Handy Heater design.
Nick said: “The idea for designing a product to warm up people’s hands came to me while surfing in Wales over the winter. I decided to use a kinetic shake charger after studying a torch that had already utilised the technology. “Shaking the carrot-shaped metal Handy Heat while pressing a button on the top will release heat immediately, or the unit can be charged before use by shaking without holding the button. This would then release heat when the button is pressed.”
Pictured are: Mark Owens, CORUS, Nick Haimes (Centre), Philip Harfield, Design Wales
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REUNIONS
SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
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.
WHERE ARE YOU NOW ALUMNI
ALUMNI NEWS
and as a charity administrator for a few years before doing the PGCE Business Studies at Swansea Institute. He is also currently a part time Swansea Metropolitan University student on the MA PDET.
Helen Lamport (PGCE - Graduated 2006) “I am still teaching at Denefield School in Reading where I successfully completed my NQT year and took on extra responsibilities within the department last year. In February I took a group of 30 students to Belgium for a week and I helped the head of department to introduce BTEC to year 12 and build up the department from one that did not have good results to one that has ended up with much better results. As a result of this when the head of department decided to leave I was able to successfully get the position of Head of Department. This year we have the largest numbers we have ever had taking Business Studies with 75 year 10's starting GCSE's, 5 year 10's starting BTEC (which is a new course at year 10), 50 year 11's taking GCSE's, 22 year 12 BTEC students, 45 year 12 students taking either business studies, economics or applied business and 11 year 13's taking business or applied business. Overall I am really enjoying the new responsibilities that come with becoming head of department and hope that things I am changing will benefit the department. I am also looking after an NQT in the business department which is allowing me to pass on knowledge gained from my experiences as an NQT at the school. I am still commuting between Swansea and Reading but hopefully my new responsibilities will give me a chance to expand my knowledge and experience and eventually make it back down to Swansea. I just wanted to say thank you to you and all of the team for giving me a fantastic start to my career as without the great PGCE training I received I would not have managed to become a head of department two years after graduating with my PGCE”.
Adam Morris (General Illustration - Graduated 2007) Adam Morris, an Ordinary Degree graduate from this year's General Illustration course was 1 of just 3 illustration graduates nationwide, selected for the Creative Review Student Showcase, and featured in the magazine.
Photo Helen, Lead Teacher Business Studies with her sixth form students on a visit to the Port of Antwerp in Belgium February 2008. Helen is in the middle at the front of the picture.
Congratulations are in order from the School of Digital Media to all recent graduates just a few are mentioned below.
William Barr BA 3DCA 2008 graduate
Simon Evans, Senior Lecturer in Business Education said “It is particularly satisfying when we hear from past Swansea Metropolitan student-teachers who are making such a big impact in the teaching profession. This term I have already heard positive reports from newly qualified teachers in many parts of this country along with others teaching further afield in the Middle East and China. Helen was an outstanding studentteacher whilst she studied with us and she has clearly made a very strong entry to the profession. I am pleased that she will be acting as a mentor to her own student teachers this year. She is such a good role model.”
Will has been employed by Inferno of Belfast, Northern Ireland. http://www.inferno.tv/
Stefano Ottaviano BA 3DCA 2008 graduate Stefano has been employed by Mutado of Milan, Italy in the position of motion graphics designer (3d, 2d and stop motion animation) Stefano's clients at Mutado include MTV Italy among others. http://www.mutado.com/
Chris de Lloyd BA 3DCA 2008 graduate
Matthew Smith (PGCE Business Studies - Graduated 2003) Matthew Smith is currently teaching Business subjects at Bridgend College, and has just been appointed to Gwent College on their management scale as their E-learning manager, covering all their campuses. After graduating from Cardiff Business School he worked in industry
Chris has been employed by Full Fat Productions of Coventry in the position of animator. <http://www.fullfat.com/>
Daniel Nicholson BA 3DCA 2008 graduate Dan has been employed by Double Negative, London. http://www.dneg.com/
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INTERESTED IN A TEACHING CAREER?
Swansea Metropolitan University’s School of Education is one of the largest providers of teacher training education in Wales and works in partnership with schools throughout South Wales. It has again topped the student satisfaction polls in the National Student Survey.
Teaching - applying for a PGCE 2009 Application is online for PGCE applications through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) www.gttr.ac.uk
Middle Years and Secondary applications: The GTTR processes all applications that are received from September 2008 to 30 June 2009. There is no early closing date for applications to middle years and secondary courses. However, bear in mind that some training providers may not be able to consider you for the most popular courses unless you apply early.
DID YOU GRADUATE IN 2008?
See also the Education Community on the Graduate Prospects website www.prospects.ac.uk for information about careers in teaching and a guide to Applying for a PGCE 2009. This guide is also available in the Careers Resources
Whether you are returning from travelling, considering further study or relevant work experience planning or a career change, 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 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
ANNUAL GRADUATE DESTINATION SURVEY (DLHE)
The destination survey is undertaken by the Swansea Metropolitan University Career Service on behalf of the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA).
Every year Graduates in UK higher education institution are contacted to find out what they are doing six months after graduation, whether they are in employment, continuing their education etc. Please complete your questionnaire and return it as soon as possible.
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
INTOUCH
? 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
ISSUE 9 / DECEMBER 2008
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CONTACT: Julie Reed, Alumni Co-ordinator, Tel/Fax: 01792 481217 E-mail: alumni@smu.ac.uk