CampusTheMagazine for University of Wales Alumni

March 2013

�� Adduned Cymru – The Wales Pledge

�� Alumni Liaison Committee

�� University News Round-up

�� Alumnus holds V&A Ceramics Residency

�� University of Wales Merger

�� Thomas Ellis Memorial Fund Winners Announced

www.wales.ac.uk/alumni

Welcome from yourAlumni Officer

There are a number of developmentscurrently taking place at theUniversity, and this special edition ofCampusmagazine has been producedfor Alumni to complement theregularly updated informationavailable on the University’s website.

Although smaller than the regularedition, it is full of informative andimportant news, celebrating theachievements of our Alumni andupdating members on activitiesundertaken by the University.

Campus is one of the many resources weuse to keep members informed and issent out to over 30,000 Alumni via emailand post. Members include those whohave only recently graduated to thosewho have held a University of Walesaward for many years. Alongside thededicated Alumni pages on the website,it is an important tool used incommunicating with our Alumni.

The summer edition of Campus will stillbe published this year in July/August asprevious years, and I would like to invitemembers to submit any news,photographs or information aboutupcoming Alumni events to feature inthis next edition.

I very much hope you will enjoy readingthis special edition of Campus, and Iwould welcome any comments youmayhave about either any of the articles in thismagazine, or the Alumni Association itself.

Jocelyn KeedwellCommunications Officer (Alumni)

Welcomefrom the Vice-Chancellor

Aswe continue through the mergerprocess with the University ofWales: Trinity Saint David and

Swansea Metropolitan, the University ofWales is mindful of its historic obligationto safeguard a range of academic andcultural activities traditionallyassociated with the University. InDecember, the University Councilannounced its intention to establishAdduned Cymru - The Wales Pledge,which will ensure that the assets it holdswill continue to benefit the whole ofWales.

I hope this issue of Campus will provideyou with further information about thesedevelopments, and I would encourage youto regularly visit the University’s website to view up to date information. There is asection on the University’s website where all the merger and reconfigurationdevelopments are explained in detail, along with a series of frequently askedquestions. Visit www.wales.ac.uk/developments for more information.

As part of the University's commitment to consult with its stakeholders, I am keen tohear any comments you may have regarding these developments. You can submityour views and comments by visiting the Stakeholders’ Voice section of the website -www.wales.ac.uk/stakeholdersvoice

The University looks forward to hearing your views and I hope you enjoy reading thisspecial edition of Campus.

Professor Medwin Hughes DL DPhil DPS FRSA.Vice-Chancellor

Vice-Chancellor,Professor Medwin Hughes

In July 2011, a letter was sent to allAlumni members for whom we heldaddress data for informing them of ourplans to change the way wecommunicated with them, preferringwhere possible to communicateelectronically via email, and asking themto ensure that we held their correctcontact details.

At that time, we asked Alumni to eitherregister their email address using theonline registration form, or to get in touch

via telephone or letter to let us knowwhether they in fact preferred to continuereceiving communications and the Alumnimagazine through the post.

It is important that the Alumni Officeholds your correct and most up to datecontact information to ensure that youreceive all relevant communications andnews from the University.

If you have not already done so, you canregister your most up to date contact

details and email address via the onlineregistration form on the Alumni pages ofthe website – www.wales.ac.uk/Register

Alternatively if you do not have an emailaddress, or would simply prefer to receivecommunications and the Alumnimagazine through the post, all you needto do is write to or telephone the AlumniOffice with your preferences - contactdetails can be found on the back page.

Keep in touch

2

Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 3

Adduned Cymru– The Wales Pledge

Have your SayAs part of the University's commitment to consult with its stakeholders, theUniversity is keen to hear any comments you may have regarding Adduned Cymru– The Wales Pledge. Please visit the comments section on the University of Waleswebsite to submit your views - www.wales.ac.uk/stakeholdersvoice

AlumniLiaisonCommitteeThe University uses various channelsto keep in touch with its Alumni andrecognises the importance of seekingtheir views on significant mattersconcerning the University and itsAlumni. This is especially the case aswe are considering changes which aredue to take place at the Universityover the next few years.

To support the Mission Statement of theAlumni Association, the University islooking to appoint an Alumni LiaisonCommittee to act as a focal point for ourdiscussions with Alumni. It is envisagedthat this committee will not only be avehicle for discussion during this period inthe history of the University of Wales,more importantly it will promote two-wayliaison and communication.

The new committee will have ninemembers who shall be appointed in apersonal capacity. These members willrepresent the breadth and diversity of ourAlumni having due regard to the need forequality of opportunity, gender balance,fresh input and a balanced age range.

If you feel you would like to be involved inthe activities of the Alumni LiaisonCommittee please visit the Alumni pageson the University’s website where moreinformation is provided about thecommittee, membership criteria, andwhat is expected of potential members.

To be considered as a member of the newCommittee, you will need to complete theelectronic submission form. The deadlineto receive applications will be the 30thApril 2013.

For more information, please visitwww.wales.ac.uk/ALC

CAWCS

University of Wales Press

Gregynog Hall

In 2012, the University announcedthe creation of Adduned Cymru –The Wales Pledge. As custodian of

many important academic andcultural assets, through AddunedCymru – The Wales Pledge, theUniversity will ensure that the assets itholds will continue to benefit thewhole of Wales.

Within this period of transformationalchange for higher education in Wales, increating Adduned Cymru – The WalesPledge, the University is being faithful toits core values and ensuring the assetsserve the purpose for which they wereintended, safeguarding its legacy forfuture generations and Wales as a whole.

With a fund value of £6.8 million, it willentail a series of strategic arrangementsand the establishment of a number ofcharitable bodies to safeguard thetraditional services associated with theUniversity.

These will include:

The Wales Heritage Academy - this willpromote and celebrate the dynamicheritage of Wales, with a commitment tofurther the work of the Centre forAdvanced Welsh and Celtic Studies andthe Dictionary of the Welsh Language. Itwill also safeguard and further the work ofthe University of Wales Press, which has aproud tradition of serving Wales and all itsuniversities by publishing outstandingscholarly publications.

The Gregynog Trust - this will safeguardfor the nation Gregynog Hall, the historichouse and estate gifted to the Universityof Wales by Margaret Davies ofLlandinam in 1960. The Gregynog Presswill also be safeguarded.

The Wales Universities Trust – this willsafeguard the numerous charitable giftsthe University has received over the years,currently standing at £5.5m, which havebeen donated for dedicated purposes.

The Legacy of the Welsh Churches Act-the land still held in Trust by the Universityunder the Welsh Churches Act will beplaced into a separate Trust.

Further information regarding AddunedCymru – The Wales Pledge will beavailable on the University’s website indue course. Please visitwww.wales.ac.uk/WalesPledge

4 For more University news, and to read these stories in full, please visit the University website – www.wales.ac.uk/News

Debut Novelist Wins Universityof Wales Dylan Thomas Prize

InNovember 2012, MaggieShipstead was announced as thewinner of the £30,000 University

of Wales Dylan Thomas Prize.

With a judging panel which included HayFestival founder Peter Florence, singer andBBC 6 Music presenter Cerys Matthews,and Chairman of the Dylan Thomas PrizePeter Stead, the 28 year old Californianauthor won the prize for her debut novelSeating Arrangements, which judgesagreed showed immense maturity andgreat accomplishment.

Speaking after the event, Maggiedescribed how she was overwhelmed by

the book’s success: “I’m really, reallythrilled to win the prize. I think when youstart to write a book it’s insanity toimagine anyone reading it, let alonepeople in other countries and peoplechoosing your book for a prize. It seemslike a dream.”

Open to any published author in theEnglish language under the age of 30,the award celebrates the legacy ofWelsh poet and writer Dylan Thomaswho wrote most of his best work in his20’s. This prize aims to recognise andsupport the literary heroes of the future.

In January, Business Minister EdwinaHart announced that Professor DylanJones-Evans, Director: Centre forEnterprise and Innovation Educationat the University of Wales, will lead aReview into access to business financefor Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) in Wales.

Launched by The Welsh Government, theindependent review will establish whetherHigh Street banks are meeting the fundingneeds of Welsh SMEs and examine otherpotential sources of finance to support thebusiness community in Wales.

Speaking about the Review, ProfessorJones-Evans said: “There is considerableconcern that the economic recovery inWales is being held back because of thelack of capital for business to develop andgrow. This review will try and move pastthe rhetoric and examine the reality ofthe situation, the solutions required togetting capital flowing into the Welshbusiness community, and what the WelshGovernment can do to facilitate andsupport this process.”

Throughout the Review, Professor Jones-Evans will be supported by WelshGovernment officials and a voluntaryadvisory group comprising of businessleaders and financial experts. The Ministerhas asked to receive a report in autumn2013.

UW Professorto lead WelshGovernmentindependent review

With launch events in both Cardiff andLondon, the University of Wales Presspublished the autobiography of one ofthe world’s foremost conductors inautumn 2012.

Having recorded and performed withleading orchestras, Owain Arwel Hughes’career of over forty years has seen himshare centre stage with some of theworld’s greatest performers includingJulian Lloyd Webber, Bryn Terfel, LucianoPavarotti and Shirley Bassey.

My Life in Music is packed with Owain’s

inimitable humour and emotion,peppered throughout with anecdotes ofhis relationships with musicians,celebrities and sporting icons.Entertaining and eye-opening, it revealsnot only the pleasures that music hasbrought to his life, but also the sacrificesthat come with being part of such ahighly competitive and public profession.

My Life in Music was officially launchedon Thursday, 13th September at StDavid’s Hall, Cardiff followed by theLondon launch held on the 17th Octoberat the Royal College of Music.

Owain Arwel Hughes: My life in Music

Maggie Shipstead (centre) with the Vice-Chancellor and Judging panel

Owain Arwel Hughes

Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 5

InOctober 2012, Ceramics artistand University of Wales AlumnusKeith Harrison was announced as

Ceramics Resident at the V&AMuseum, London.

Keith Studied at the then Cardiff Institutefor Higher Education and gained both aBA in 3D Ceramics and a Postgraduate ArtTeacher’s Certificate, he then went on tocomplete an MA in Ceramics and Glass atthe Royal College of Art (RCA).

Since graduating from the RCA in 2002,Keith has been involved in a series ofprocess-based live public experiments thatinvestigate the direct physicaltransformation of clay from a raw stateutilising industrial and domestic electricalsystems. Large-scale works have also beenrealised for public galleries and Museumsincluding the V&A, Jerwood Space,Camden Arts Centre and mima,Middlesbrough. He has also been part-time Senior Lecturer at Bath School of Artand Design and Visiting Lecturer at anumber of Art Schools in the UK andEurope.

Speaking about his research interests inthe V&A collection and his residency,Keith explained: “I have an interest in theclay works held across the V&A'scollections, encompassing not only thespecialist Ceramics Galleries but alsoSculpture and Architecture.

Under the overarching title of ‘SecondaryModernism’, I am interested in using theresidency at the V&A to pursue new waysto explore the transformative potential of

clay and electricity in both a materialand social sense and foresee the periodas an opportunity to develop newapproaches to my practice in a new andstimulating environment.”

During his residency Keith has produceda number of new works to be sitedwithin the Museum’s permanentcollections, as well as producing anumber of lunchtime and evening‘Disruptions’ in various locations in theMuseum and holding regular OpenStudios. His residency will run until theend of March 2013.

To read more about Keith Harrison andhis residency, and for up to dateinformation about upcomingDisruptions and Open Studios, pleasevisit the V&A website -www.vam.ac.uk/residencies

Over the years the University hasadapted in order to continue tobe at the heart of the nation’s

academic, intellectual and cultural life.Responding to Government policy andthe decisions of the foundingUniversity institutions to seek theirown degree awarding powers, theUniversity of Wales has undergoneradical restructuring.

In 2007, the University was restructuredwhen it was clear that the original‘federal’ structure of the University ofWales no longer served the Welsh highereducation sector.

More recently, in October 2011, theUniversity of Wales made a commitmentto merge with the University of Wales:Trinity Saint David (UW:TSD) andSwansea Metropolitan University (SMU)under the 1828 Charter of UW:TSD. Thisdecision was in accordance with WelshGovernment policy, and allows theUniversity of Wales to continue with itsmission and commitment to support theacademic, cultural and economic life ofWales. The resulting institution, involvingall three Universities, is expected to befully integrated by 2017/18.

Further information, including a series ofFrequently Asked Questions, regarding theMerger can be found on the University ofWales website. This section will beupdated regularly as we continue throughthe Merger process. Please visitwww.wales.ac.uk/Merger

Have your Say

As part of the University'scommitment to consult with itsstakeholders, the University is keen tohear any comments you may haveregarding the Merger.

Please visit the comments section onthe University of Wales website tosubmit your views -www.wales.ac.uk/stakeholdersvoice

Universityof WalesMerger

UW Alumnus holds CeramicsResidency at the V&A

M25 Orbital, V&A 2006

Lucie Rie Vs Grindcore, V&A 2012

6

Awarded in December, the winners of this year’s Thomas Ellis Memorial Fundawards were University of Wales Alumni Dr Geraldine Lublin and Dr Roger Turvey.

Awarded to assist research into the language, literature, history and antiquitiesof Wales and Monmouthshire, and the publication of the results of such research,the Thomas Ellis Memorial Fund was raised in memory of the late ThomasEdward Ellis, Member of Parliament representing Meirioneth (1886-1899) and aformer Warden of the Guild of Graduates (1896-1899).

Archive in order to explore documentarysources and governmental legislationrelevant to Gwyl y Glaniad, the ‘Festival ofthe Landing’, which marks the date whenthe first group of Welsh settlers landed inPorth Madryn on 28 July 1865.

Given the enthusiastic preparations forthe celebration of the sesquicentenary ofthe landing of the Mimosa, I thought itwas very timely to study thisquintessentially Patagonian festival fromits very beginning in order to understandits development through the decades andits present significance. I look forward tocontinuing with the research andunearthing more interesting facts aboutthis, as well as sharing the fruits of myefforts with the wider public.”

Dr Roger Turvey, the second recipient,graduated with a PhD in medieval Welshhistory from the then University of Wales,Swansea. With a passion for Wales andWelsh history, Roger has published widelyon the subject with sixteen books andnearly thirty articles for learned journals to

date. His current research, for which hereceived this year’s award, focuses on thetwelfth-century Prince Owain Gwyneddand his book will be published later thisyear by Y Lolfa.

Speaking about the award, he said: “TheThomas Ellis Memorial Fund has madethe publication of my research workpossible and I consider it to be aprestigious award for which I amhonoured and grateful to receive.However, it is more than simply an awardfor it represents the person in whosename it was founded and I am a greatadmirer of Thomas Edward Ellis. He was apolitician of rare talent and as a pioneerof the movement to secure a NationalLibrary for Wales, we as a nation, and I asa historian, owe him a great debt.

In view of Thomas Ellis’ interest in andlove of Welsh History I would like to thinkthat he would have approved of thefinancial assistance offered to fund thepublication of a book on another greatWelshman, Owain Gwynedd.”

Recipients of theThomas Ellis MemorialFund announced

Recipient Dr Geraldine Lublin studied forand completed her PhD at the School ofWelsh in Cardiff University. Though bornin Buenos Aires and not a Welshdescendant herself, she developed anacademic interest in the history of theWelsh settlement in Patagonia and howWelsh heritage has flourished in theprovince of Chubut over the decades intothe 21st century.

Speaking about what winning the awardmeans to her and her research, sheexplained: “I am very grateful to theThomas Ellis Memorial Fund for thisaward. It has enabled me to carry outfield research at the Chubut Historical

Statue of Thomas Ellis in Bala

With thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue

The continued support of Ede &Ravenscroft towards publication costs isgreatly appreciated

Editor: Jocelyn KeedwellDesign and Print: Yogi Creative

University of Wales Alumni AssociationEmail: alumni@wales.ac.ukTelephone: +44 (0)29 2037 6999Website: www.wales.ac.uk/alumniAddress: University Registry

King Edward VII AvenueCathays ParkCardiff, CF10 3NS

les)

www.facebook.com/universityofwales www.twitter.com/uniwales www.linkedin.com(Search for University of Wales) Wales)

Don’t forget – Register your email address to ensure you receive all future communications from the University of Wales.Go to www.wales.ac.uk/alumni

Dr Geraldine Lublin & Dr Roger Turvey