INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 10

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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER INTOUCH ISSUE 10 / WINTER 2009-2010 Swansea College of Art 1853-1976 Swansea College of Education 1872-1976 Swansea Technical College 1897-1976 Swansea Institute of Higher Education 1992-2007 Swansea Metropolitan University January 2008- Archive West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education 1976-1991

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INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 10 - 2009

Transcript of INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 10

Page 1: INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 10

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

INTOUCHISSUE 10 / WINTER 2009-2010

Swansea College of Art1853-1976

Swansea College of Education1872-1976

Swansea Technical College1897-1976

Swansea Instituteof Higher Education

1992-2007

Swansea Metropolitan UniversityJanuary 2008-

Archive

West GlamorganInstitute of Higher Education

1976-1991

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SWANSEA METROPOLITANUNIVERSITY ARCHIVEThe Swansea Metropolitan University Archive is a very new venture and still inthe early stages of being set up. We are attempting to catalogue as muchmaterial as quickly as we can and the intention is to open for access forresearch by staff, students, alumni or members of the public.

Once we have taken the first steps of cataloging everything, we intend to registerthe Archive with the National Archive and all appropriate organizations withinWales. Once this has been completed, we will launch the Archive officially at apublic event. We will then issue information on what material we hold in asearchable catalogue together with guidance on how that material can beaccessed. Hopefully this catalogue will be available online via our Website(http://www.smu.ac.uk), but we do recognize not everyone has computeraccess, so will place this information in all the libraries at SMU, as well as localArchives and City libraries.

In the meantime, if you have any material – photographs, artefacts or documentsyou would like to donate to the University Archive please contact us. We areeager to make this Archive as complete as possible and therefore would like tohave as much information as we can on all the colleges that make up SwanseaMetropolitan University’s history. We already know there are significant gaps inthat information, and would appreciate help in filling in those gaps.

Please contact the Records and Archive Office:Swansea Metropolitan UniversityMount Pleasant CampusMount PleasantSwansea SA1 6EDTel: 01792 483681Fax: 01792 481214

Gill Fildes – University Records & Archive Officer Email: [email protected]

Emma Hughes – Records Clerk Email: [email protected]

SMU ARCHIVEHave you ever wondered how the

steep hill of Mount Pleasant was

formed or why the houses on the

hill are up behind high walls and

why the City Council can’t stop

the water forming on the hill

whenever it rains? Research for

the SMU Archive may have found

the answer.

There is a stream, rising from aspring in Mayhill, which very fewpeople seem to be aware of. Thisspring has supplied the city ofSwansea with fresh, clean water forcenturies. It was known forhundreds of years as 'WashingLake' which is a corruption of theOld English words 'waesse'(meaning wet) and 'lacu' (meaningswampy stream). We found areference to ‘Washing Lake’ on oneof the old deed documents passedto the Archive for safe keeping.

To ensure we catalogued this itemcorrectly, we had to track downexactly what this referred to. Wehave discovered that the ‘WashingLake’ was in fact a stream, whichruns from a field in ‘May’s Hill’above the original Workhouse (laterthe Hospital), through theworkhouse enclosure and down theside of the road now known asBrynsyfi Terrace. The deed in theSMU Archive refers to land andcottages bought by the TechnicalCollege at the start of its life in the1890s. By the 1700s the streamwas used to feed the large tannerythat was built on fields on thewestern side of the medieval town(where the ‘Hanbury’ is on theKingsway is located). The streamhas never been known to dry upand provided much of the westernside of medieval Swansea with areliable source of clean water. Thestream still exists above ground atthe top of the hill and relentlesslytrickles (or pours) down MountPleasant when the rain falls.

You can find out more about thestream and see some photographsof it on the following website:http://www.swanseahistoryweb.org.uk

/subheads/chint.htm

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Swansea MetropolitanUniversity colleagues havecongratulated Wales’longest serving Vice-Chancellor, ProfessorDavid Warner, as hededicates his CBE to theUniversity’s staff, studentsand alumni.

Professor Warner wasawarded the accolade in theQueen’s birthday honourslist for services to local andnational higher education.

Professor Warner came tothe, then, Swansea Instituteof Higher Education on 1stJanuary, 1998 and is nowthe longest serving head ofa Higher Educationinstitution in Wales. He haspreviously worked in aschool, an FE college and atthe Universities of Warwick,East Anglia and as DeputyVice-Chancellor atBirmingham City University.

As well as being Vice-Chancellor atSwansea Metropolitan University, heis also the Deputy Chair of HigherEducation Wales, which is part ofUniversities UK.

He has been involved in all aspects ofHE management development for anumber of years and has successfullyundertaken a wide range ofconsultancies in the UK, currentlyworking, under the auspices of theLeadership Foundation, at theUniversity of Manchester.

The Royal honour comes eighteenmonths after the University receivedconfirmation, from of Privy Council, ofits name change from SwanseaInstitute to Swansea MetropolitanUniversity, following two years ofrigorous inspections which werepassed with flying colours.

“It is not an honour for me as me, it isan honour for me as head ofSwansea Metropolitan University”said Prof Warner.

Professor David Warner, attendedBuckingham Palace to collect hisCBE award from the Queen.

Since the name-change highlightshave included a surge in full-timestudent applications andenrolments with numbers up by23% on 2007, the biggest increaseof any Welsh university.

Also, figures from the HigherEducation Statistics Agency (HESA)showed that Swansea Met hadsignificantly exceeded its target setby Government for the employmentof its graduates, with 94.1% of itsstudents in employment or trainingwithin six months of graduatingagainst a target of 92.9%, the equalsecond best figures in Wales.

Another impressive outturn during theUniversity’s inaugural year includedfigures published in the GrantThornton Higher Education FinancialYearbook for 2008/9, which showedthat Swansea Metropolitan University

had the best financial record in Walesand the fourth best in the whole ofthe UK.

The key table looked at the netsurplus produced over a five yearperiod by 159 UK institutions ofhigher education. During this period,Swansea Met had produced anaverage surplus of 9.85% onturnover.

Despite being an institution thatfocuses on teaching, the recent RAE(Research Assessment Exercise)results indicated that 60% of theresearch work which is carried out atSwansea Met is of ‘internationalsignificance’, and in some cases‘world leading’. Research strengthsinclude art and design, engineeringand education.

Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor,Professor David Warner said: “Ournew title has been extremely wellreceived by our staff, students,alumni and the general public. Wehave again had an excellent year onby every performance indicator whichunderlines our contribution to theeconomy of the region. It is good forSwansea to have two stronguniversities.”

Swansea Metropolitan Universityinherits a long tradition of educationalexcellence as its predecessorcolleges have been serving thepeople of Swansea and thesurrounding region for more than 150years. Its School of Art wasestablished in 1853, School ofTeacher Education in 1872 andTechnology College in 1897.

AN AWARD FOR ALL STAFF, STUDENTS AND ALUMNIAS VICE-CHANCELLOR BECOMES A CBE

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY HAS GONEFROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

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Swansea Metropolitan University awarded Honorary Fellowships torenowned actor Michael Sheen, former Deputy Governor of the Bank ofEngland, Rachel Lomax, cricket legend Don Shepherd, Evening Postcontributor Alex Frith, and one of the UK’s leading academics, Dr GeoffreyThomas, at the University’s Summer Graduation Ceremony at the BrangwynHall.

Acclaimed actor Michael Sheen was brought up in Port Talbot and, afterachieving the prestigious Diploma in Acting from RADA, soon establishedhimself as one of the most promising talents on the theatrical scene.

In 2005, Michael received a BAFTA nomination for his role in the TV drama Dirty,Filthy Love and again in 2007 for his performances as Tony Blair in The Queenand Carry On actor Kenneth Williams in Fantabulosa.

In 2007, he portrayed David Frost in the much acclaimed Frost/Nixon Debatesat The Gielgud Theatre before heading to Broadway in the same role for afurther six months. 2008 and 2009 have been two big years for Michael. Hehas appeared in three critically acclaimed films which include the prequel tounderworld, Rise of the Lycans, Frost/Nixon and The Dammed United, basedon Brian Clough’s 44 days in charge of Leeds United Football Club.

Dr Geoffrey Thomas attended Maesteg Grammar School and UniversityCollege, Swansea, where he obtained a first class honours degree inPhysics. Thereafter, he attended Churchill College at the University ofCambridge where he achieved his PhD in 1966 and, between 1978-1986, hebecame Deputy Director of the Department for External Studies at OxfordUniversity.

Between 1986-2007, he was the Director of the Department for ExternalStudies and Continuing Education at Oxford and a Fellow of Linacre College,Oxford. In 1990, Geoffrey became the Founding President of Kellogg College,Oxford, a post he held until 2007. Kellogg College was the thirty-sixth OxfordCollege to be founded and is dedicated to the needs of part-time and adultstudents.

Geoffrey has held a large number of distinguished positions. He was Co-Director for the first UK Survey of the Public Understanding of Science in 1988,Council Member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science anda Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley,the University of Washington and the Smithsonian Institution. He is also amember of the International Adult Education Hall of Fame. Between 2000-2008, Geoffrey was a member of the Higher Education Funding Council forWales (HEFCW).

Geoffrey has close links with Swansea and Swansea Met. He has a home in Mumbles and is the cousin of localhistorian and Swansea Met Honorary Fellow, Peter Stead. During his time at HEFCW, Geoffrey took a keen interest indevelopments at Swansea Met and was a strong supporter of its institutional progress.

HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS FOR LEADINGWELSH FIGURES

SUMMER 2009 GRADUATIONCEREMONY VIDEO CLIPS CANBE FOUND ON THE ALUMNIWEBISTE http://alumni.smu.ac.uk

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Cricketer Don Shepherd, born in Port Eynon, Swansea, was one of Glamorgan’sgreatest county bowlers, taking more first-class wickets than any other playerwho never played Test cricket. He began his county career in 1950 as a fast-medium bowler, and was a regular in the Glamorgan team in 1952, when he took120 wickets.

In 1956, Don took 177 wickets, more than any other player in that English first-classseason, and he took more than 100 wickets in 12 seasons in all. In 1968, hecaptained Glamorgan to victory against the Australians at St Helens.

Don Shepherd was an integral part of the Glamorgan side that won the CountyChampionship in 1969 and he was rewarded by being named as a Wisden Cricketerof the Year in 1970. He celebrated that accolade by taking more wickets in thatseason than any other player in the English first-class game.

Few women in the UK have had such an illustrious career as Swansea-born Rachel Lomax. She was DeputyGovernor of the Bank of England (Monetary Stability) between 2003-08 and Deputy Chair of the Monetary PolicyCommittee. She was also the Central Bank Deputy on the G7, IMF and ECB groups. As Deputy Governor of theBank of England, Rachel had line management responsibility for monetary analysis and markets, finance, projectIT and risk management.

Previously, she was Permanent Secretary at theDepartment for Transport (2002-03) and PermanentSecretary at the Department for Work andPensions and Social Security (1999-2002).

Between 1996-1999, Rachel was PermanentSecretary at the Welsh Office, a role in which sheled the official preparations for devolution and theestablishment of the Welsh Assembly. Before that,she held major responsibilities at the World Bank,was Head of the Economic and DomesticSecretariat at the Cabinet Office, and held majorposts in Her Majesty’s Treasury, including beingDeputy Secretary/Deputy Chief Economic Adviser(1990-1994), under Secretary (1986-1990),Principal Private Secretary to the Chancellor of theExchequer (1985-1986) and Senior EconomicAdviser (1978-1984).

Alex Frith is well known, particularly within the younger community, acrossthe Swansea Bay region. Inspired by stories she created for her own children,Alex reprised her story-telling capabilities within a weekly column in the SouthWales Evening Post.

In 1986, she proposed an idea to the paper to produce her stories into a one-night show at The Grand Theatre. Such was the success of the evening that theshow takes place annually and is now in its 23rd year.

Then, in 1992, Alex conceived the idea of putting on a show for older children, acelebration of talent. The Best is Yet to Come is performed at the SwanseaGrand Theatre, for one night, three times a year and all the money raised goes tocharity. To date, Alex has raised over a quarter of a million pounds for variouscharities.

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An Alumnus of Swansea MetropolitanUniversity has broadened his horizonsafter leaving Swansea to take up aprominent position as Head ofEconomics and Business Studies at

Harrow InternationalSchool in Bangkok,Thailand.

Matthew Rees, originallyfrom Ammanford,graduated with a PGCEBusiness Studiesqualification from theSchool of Education in2000. He then gained ateaching post at Chosen HillSchool, Gloucester, wherehe spent four yearsteaching both Economicsand Business Studies atGCSE and A Level.

Three years into the job hebegan to take an interest inteaching abroad and

started researching countries and leadingschools within the regions he wanted towork in. It was then that he came acrossa vacancy at Harrow International School

in the Business Studies and Economicsdepartment.

Harrow International School seeks todraw on the reputation and traditions ofone of Britain’s leading independentSchools, Harrow School in Middlesex, theunique context and international diversityof its host culture in Thailand, and theattributes of British curricula, qualificationsand teachers.

Not only is Matthew now Head ofDepartment, he has recently taken on therole of Head of Careers and AssistantHead of the Sixth Form.

Simon Evans, PGCE Business StudiesProgramme Director said: “It is great tosee Swansea Met teachers making amajor impact to young people’sachievement in so many ways andbuilding world-class careers forthemselves.”

TOP TEACHING JOB FOR MET GRADUATE

A teaching graduate from SwanseaMetropolitan University has won theSpecialist Schools and Academics Trust(SSAT) Award for Outstanding NewTeacher of the Year in Wales.

Cathy Young, originally from Llanelli, nowholds a teaching post in PembrokeSchool, Pembrokeshire, after studying forher PGCE in Spanish and French atSwansea Met’s School of Education.

Cathy’s aim in teaching is to raise theuptake of languages at GCSE and A-levelthrough her lessons, which are alwaysinspiring, fun and innovative. In fact, whenshe felt some of her Spanish classneeded a little extra encouragement andmotivation, she asked Swansea City’sSpanish-speaking contingent offootballers to come and talk topupils.

Cathy is only in her secondyear of teaching but hasalready managed to impressboth colleagues and studentswith her high-energyapproach to the job.

Through the award, she wasrecognised for heroutstanding contribution toeducation and excellentawareness of pupilsindividual learning styles.She is now working hard onenhancing her Assessment

for Learning techniques and raisingstudent awareness of success criteria inlanguages.

As a result of her innovative style, herstudents’ attainment results are wellabove the levels predicted from priorattainment data. In just six months, Cathyhas brought all of her year 7 pupils fromno knowledge of Spanish to high level 4 –well above average for the year group.

One senior colleague said a lessonobserved with Cathy at the end of theNQT year was “the strongest lesson Ihave ever seen by any teacher in anyschool. Quite simply, it was outstandingat all levels.”

During her time at Swansea Met, Cathycompleted her practical teaching

placements at Greenhill School, Tenby,and Bryn Hafren, Barry, providing her withall of the skills needed to gain qualifiedteaching status.

Cathy said: “I was very shocked to evenget to the final of the awards and evenmore surprised when I heard my name asthe winner!”

TOP OF THE CLASS FOR MET-EDUCATED TEACHER

Swansea Met teaching graduate Matthew Rees (left)with some of his students at Harrow InternationalSchool in Bangkok.

Cathy Young after receiving herOutstanding New Teacher of the Year in

Wales award.

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A Swansea Metropolitan Universitystudent, who was awarded ascholarship thanks to a generousdonation from a successful alumnushas graduated.

Louise Higgins, originally fromBuckingham, was chosen as arecipient of the scholarship last yearby its donator, Francis Morgan.Francis, originally from Ravenhill,attended Swansea Met back in the1960s, when it was then known asSwansea College of Art, and studieda two-year course which was theequivalent of the University’sfoundation degree in art and design.

After graduating in Graphic Design in the1960s, Francis began his career inLondon and worked there for 10 yearsbefore relocating to California. He set upa very successful Graphic Designcompany called Morgan-Cain andAssociates which Francis sold his interestin to his business partner in 2006. After visiting Swansea Met last year,Francis decided he would like to make adonation to the Graphics and IllustrationDepartments in the form of monetaryscholarships.

Francis commented: “I checked theUniversity website a few years ago andwas impressed with the progress it hadmade since I attended. I then visited theUniversity last year and was veryimpressed with the work that is beingdone by the students in the GraphicDesign, Illustration and Advertising DesignDepartments.”

He continued: “As a student I wasfortunate to have a government grant thatwas enough to live on at the time.However, I have become aware that in

Britain things have changed and it’s noteasy to obtain financial help, resulting instudents either not being able to continuewith their studies or not having sufficientfunds to even start. “I feel that a lot oftalent in the field of art and design will bewasted. I want to try to help retain thattalent. I would also like to support my oldinstitution and help it receive theinternational recognition it deserves byrecruiting and retaining the best studentsand turning out top quality designers andillustrators.”

Among the three students who wereawarded the first scholarships from thefund was, then, second year studentLouise Higgins, who has nowsuccessfully graduated from theuniversity’s design for advertisingprogramme.

Louise said: “The scholarship helped mein many ways. It meant that I could pushmy work further.

“I plan to work within advertising, in acreative position, or possibly move acrossinto the Marketing or PR side of theindustry. I am finding my feet a bit at themoment and following our exhibition atNew Blood, in London, I have madesome contacts at a London Agency whoare giving me some help and adviceabout my portfolio and my future.

Eventually I plan to set up on my own butcurrently I am looking for my first job andto get some experience under my belt.”

GRADUATION SUCCESS FOR SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Donations are becomingincreasingly important toUniversities and as such a schemeto match fund voluntary gifts tohigher education has beenlaunched. The Scheme willencourage Welsh Universities toincrease and expand theirfundraising with the incentive thatany donation given from alumni andother individuals to the University,the University is guaranteedadditional government matchedfunding. Every £1.00 raised will bematched in full.

A donation of £1,000 would meanthat the University would receive afurther £1,000 from the government.Unrestricted gifts are the way inwhich to make an immediatedifference to the lives of currentstudents. A gift will ensure that weare able to maintain and enhance thelives of Swansea MetropolitanUniversity’s students. Your supportwill have a direct and positive resultallowing us to invest in areas ofexcellence, provide bursaries for ourstudents, and develop physicalresources which advance ourteaching and research.

If you would like more information orwish to make a voluntary donation nomatter how big or small to theUniversity please contact the AlumniOffice or make a cheque payable toSwansea Metropolitan University andaddress it to the Alumni Office. We will publish the names of thedonors in the next Alumni Newsletterunless the donor wishes to remainanonomous.

Thank you in advance, your gift is aninvestment in the future of ourstudents.

VOLUNTARY GIFTS - GOVERNMENTMATCHED FUNDING SCHEMELAUNCHED

Louise Higgins at her graduationceremony in the Brangwyn Hallrecently.

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SWANSEAMETROPOLITANUNIVERSITY CAREERSSERVICE

Whether you are returning fromtravelling, considering further study,or a career change or more generalcareer advice, all alumni arewelcomed back by the UniversityCareers Service to use its facilitiesand expertise. We have a range ofservices and information sources tohelp.

Visit www.smu.ac.uk Quick LinksServices for Students/CareersService for contact details andfurther information Careers Centrestaff will be pleased to answer anyof your queries. Enquiries to [email protected]

MSc Facilities ManagementThis programme has been designed to provide graduates with the knowledge, managerial skilland specialist expertise to successfully undertake Facilities Management, and to enhance theircareer development.

Facilities Managers are required to have a broad range of understanding in areas such as‘hard services’ (e.g. building fabric and building engineering services) and ‘soft services’ (e.g.catering, cleaning, security and Health & Safety etc).

Programme Aims

• To promote an in-depth understanding of the nature of Facilities Management, withina contemporary academic research based context;

• To produce managers capable of working at all levels and sectors of FacilitiesManagement;

• To enhance the quality of strategic policy and implementation for Facilities

For more information please contact:

Trevor Francis, Programme DirectorE-mail: [email protected]: (01792) 481106Swansea Metropolitan UniversitySchool of the Built and Natural EnvironmentFaculty of Applied Design and EngineeringMount PleasantSwansea

DID YOU COMPLETE A COURSE AT SMU IN 2009?

ANNUAL DESTINATION OF LEAVERS SURVEY (DLHE)

The Destination Survey is undertaken by the Swansea MetropolitanUniversity Careers Service on behalf of the Higher Education StatisticalAgency (HESA).

Every year leavers from UK higher education institutions are contacted tofind out what they are doing six months after graduation, whether they arein employment, continuing their education etc.

We would be really grateful if you would complete your questionnaire andreturn it as soon as possible to us in the pre – paid envelope provided.

For information contact:

[email protected] • 01792 481213

SMU Careers Service 2009

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Are you a Role Model?

Role models are ordinary people who'vebeen successful by believing inthemselves, their ideas and theirabilities. To achieve Dynamo's aim ofencouraging people to think in moreentrepreneurial ways, the Dynamoproject focuses on putting real businesspeople into Universities, Colleges andschools across Wales to convey theentrepreneurial spirit, by demonstratingthe attitude needed to succeed.

Role Models are expected to promoteenterprise and entrepreneurship throughthe delivery of the following keymessages:

• Encourage self-belief and positive thinking

• Inspire and motivate students to realise they are in control of their future

• Educate about the reality of being their own boss: highs, lows, risks and rewards

• Draw out entrepreneurial characteristics and encourage students reflect on own behaviour

• Stimulate entrepreneurial behaviour/thinking in students as appropriate

The success of Project Dynamo isdependent on recruiting an array ofinspirational Role Models thatdemonstrate the diversity of Welshbusiness who have their own unique storyto tell. Being a role model is also a greatopportunity to promote your ownbusiness as well as benefit from attendingvarious networking events. Every newrole model is given full support on how tostructure their presentations as well assuggesting methods of delivering themessages you give and ideas forengaging with pupils through activities ata two day training programme.

For more information on the Dynamoproject please contact:

Rhian Evans, Dynamo Co-ordinator forMid and South West Wales01970 636291 [email protected]

Dynamo Role Model and SwanseaMetropolitan Alumna, Dawn Lyle said “Iwas delighted to be invited to become aDynamo role model, as I am interestedin helping to encourage young people toconsider self-employment, and I thinkit's important to make‘entrepreneurship’ seem like a realisticoption for more school-leavers andgraduates.

I think we need to remove some of the‘mysticism’ associated with setting up abusiness, and make it seem likesomething achievable and tangible. Weneed to help young people to spot theopportunities to turn their hobbies, skillsand passions into jobs for themselvesand others, and I think the Dynamoprogramme offers a chance for youngpeople to hear what it's really like to setup a business.

Jake and I began to consider setting upour own computer graphics businessquite early on in our degree courses. Thekey ingredients for us were probablyhaving confidence in our own abilities –an attitude of ‘if anyone can do it, we cando it’, a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality, lots ofself-motivation as well as willingness toput in a huge amount of hard work - but itwas hard work doing stuff we reallyenjoyed, so it never felt too onerous!

We were also lucky to be in Swansea atthe time, as there’s such a lot of supportand encouragement for entrepreneurs inWales, particularly those with ‘high tech’business ideas. We were quite quicklysignposted towards the Spinout Walesprogramme for graduates with businessideas, and from there we started writing abusiness plan and the whole thinggained its own momentum.

Through running my ownbusiness I have found away to combine all thethings I really love doing –computer graphics,making my owndecisions, marketing,organising things,working with people…I think starting yourown business canoffer a way tocombine yourpassions with a wayof earning a living,and this is themessage that

I would like to share with potentialentrepreneurs throughout the SwanseaBay region.

The Dynamo programme enables youngpeople to hear about the reality of runninga business - the high points and the lowpoints. Obviously entrepreneurship isn'tfor everyone, but thanks to Dynamo Ithink more people are encouranged toconsider the option, meaning they canmake an informed decision about theirfuture. If I can help more young peoplehave the self-belief and confidence to giveit a go, then I think that's worthwhile.

Established in 2003, iCreate is one of theUK’s leading property marketing studios,producing high quality 3D renderings andwalkthroughs for residential andcommercial property sectors all over theworld. We work with private developers,as well as public sector organizationssuch as local government, developmentagencies and educational / culturalclients, and we have become a trustedprovider of 3D visualisation to some of theworld’s most established architects. Asincreasing numbers of developers realisethe value of promoting their newproperties using realistic pre-visualisations, iCreate continues to offerinnovative high-end marketing solutions,bringing new property to life for modernbuyers and investors.”

For more information on starting yourown business please contact KathrynPenaluna, Enterprise Manager,Commercial Services, SwanseaMetropolitan University, on 01792481199, email

[email protected] or visitwww.smu.ac.uk.

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PROJECT DYNAMO

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Last year, a team of five SwanseaMetropolitan University graduateslaunched a new company calledChaosTrend, based within the city. Theyhave already worked on a number ofcommissions for local companies suchas Telesgop Media and theCarmarthenshire Heritage Trust. Theteam have now released their first bigtitle onto the games market, Everfall.

Eager gamers will enter the magical worldof Barina and travel on a rollercoasteradventure that will take them to the edgeof the Kingdom and back in an attempt tosave the land from an unknown evil.Everfall has been designed for a familyaudience and was developed using theChaosTrend Engine, a multi-purpose2D/3D engine which was created by theteam.

ChaosTrend are made up of computergames development graduates andfounding members Darren Adams andRussell Drodge, who head themanagement team, while fellowgraduates John Franklin, Nick Sinclair andIan Malsbury utilise their expertise in

coding, design and art work.

ChaosTrend has created and releasedseveral free flash games and haveproduced a promotional web-basedgame centred on a recent internationalsheepdog competition, covered by Welshtelevision production company, Telesgop.The team have completed a game for theCarmarthenshire Heritage Trust, entitled‘Llanelly House Hunt’, and have alsofinished two extra versions of the game inWelsh and Polish. All three versions of thegame can be found athttp://www.chrt.org.uk/english/home_e.shtml

The company’s success was furtherenhanced recently with theannouncement that their games will bedistributed via leading games publisherplayfirst.com, who have a portfolio of 500sites.

Everfall is available from the ChaosTrendwebsite and can also be bought from thePlayFirst website, www.playfirst.com Formore information about ChaosTrend visitwww.chaostrend.com

A still image from EverFall

NEW RELEASE FOR WELSH GAMES COMPANY

SHOCK HORROR- COLIN, THE £45HOME MOVIEMarc Price, an alumnus of SwanseaMetropolitan University produced afilm at a cost of £45. The film went onto feature at the Cannes Film Festivaland Marc then launched his £45movie at the Prince Charles Cinemain Leicester Square in time forHalloween.

Colin, the Movie is about a young manbeing made into a Zombie. Thisbudget film was made using an oldcamcorder on location in Tooting,South London and to cut down oncosts the blood was golden syrup andfood dye and the burns were achievedwith instant coffee granules. The castwas made up of friends and peoplewho happened to be in theneighbourhood at the time.

A Hollywood film can have a budget of£150 million plus but Marc managed a£45 Movie.

Dr Andy Penaluna, Dyenvor Centre forArt, Design and Media and Vice Chairof Enterprise Educators UK said “whatcould be more enterprising than that!”

Congratulations Marc.

amperSAND DIGITAL MEDIANETWORK - COME AND JOIN USamperSAND is a forum and meeting place for professionals and

enthusiasts working in all aspects of digital media, which welcomes

businesses, students, independent artists and people with an interest in

animation, computer games, digital art, and other production areas in

these sectors.

Each amperSAND event focuses on a particular field - from animation to

web design, digital music to multimedia with speakers from the industry and

the opportunity for discussion. Past presenters have included Aardman

Animation, Lionhead Studios, the BBC, Paul Granjon (artist), Rowlands UK,

Jonathan Clements (Anime authority), Imaze and many others of equal

calibre.

amperSAND is held monthly in Swansea at in the Main Lecture Theatre at:

Swansea Metropolitan University's

Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media

De La Beche Street, Swansea, SA1 3EU

For further information about amperSAND events or registration please

email us at [email protected] or telephone (01792) 481194.

amperSAND is open to everyone interested in digital media, so we look

forward to meeting you. Why not bring along your business cards and

literature too, as there are good networking opportunities both prior to and

after the event, during the post-presentation buffet

www.smu.ac.uk/ampersand

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SWANSEA METMOTORSPORT TEAMWORLD BEATERSThe future of British motorsport is safe in the hands of the SwanseaMetropolitan University’s Formula Student Team, who have confirmedthemselves as best in Wales, top three in the UK and, even more impressively,top ten in the world, after the 2009 Formula Student competition atSilverstone.

Formula Student, the biggest student motorsport competition in theworld, promotes careers and excellence in engineering, by challengingstudents to design, build, develop, market and compete as a team with asmall single seater racing car. It blends academic work and learning withthe development of practical engineering skills.

This year’s international competition saw over eighty university teamsfrom across the world converge onto the famous home of Britishmotorsport, Silverstone. Each competition car was rigorously tested inareas such as endurance, speed and business viability.

Following an impressive top ten global finish last year, becoming the firstand only Welsh University to be seeded, Swansea Met saw off stiffcompetition to maintain its position as the top Welsh team, secure aplace in the UK top three and tenth in the world rankings.

Swansea Metropolitan University’s world beating 2009 FormulaStudent Team at Silverstone.

Secretary of State for Wales, PeterHain, went behind the wheel of one ofSwansea Metropolitan University’sfleet of motorsport vehicles during avisit to the University’s new facilitiesat the famous Pembrey Circuit.

Mr Hain, followed in the tracks of thegreats of world Motorsport when hetook to the Carmarthenshire circuit. Hewas given a tour of Swansea Met’sVehicle Dynamics Centre and officiallylaunched the University’s new BSc(Hons) degree in MotorsportTechnology.

The Vehicle Dynamics Centre has beendeveloped by Swansea MetropolitanUniversity with the British AutomobileRacing Club at Pembrey Circuit andwith the support of the WelshAssembly Government. It consists of afully fitted 144 m2 workshop for carpreparation and data analysis, a 50mdiameter steering pad and a classroomfacility with additional access to thekart track and race circuit itself.

Swansea Met’s popular motorsportportfolio of programmes increased lastSeptember with the introduction of anew degree in motorsport technology.It provides a route to an honoursdegree that will be appropriate forthose wishing to enter the engineeringprofession at Incorporated Engineerlevel. It has an emphasis on developingand supporting the know-hownecessary to apply technology toengineering problems and processes,and to maintain and manage currenttechnology at peak efficiency.

During his visit, Mr Hain drove theUniversity’s latest acquisition, an MCRSports 2000 racing car which ismanufactured in St David’s,Pembrokeshire. The latest incarnationof the Lampeter -built Darrian, nowvery successful in its current GTR rallyform, was also on site along with arange of Swansea Met motorcycles.

Swansea Met’s successful FormulaStudent team offered their expertopinion on the Minister’s driving as theyshowed off their world conquering FScar.

Swansea Met is a MotorsportAcademy UK Recognised Educator(HE) and a partner of EEMS (EnergyEfficient Motorsport).

CABINET MINSTER GETS BEHIND THEWHEEL OF UNIVERSITY RACE CAR

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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Joel Upton a Swansea MetropolitanUniversity Business graduate iscurrently the Site manager at SalixRiver and Wetland Service Ltd, hehas returned to study via the GOWales Training and Developmentfund.

Salix have tapped into the GO WalesTraining Fund and accessed £1,500towards up skilling Joel who is nowstudying for a part time HNC in CivilEngineering at SMU. Joel believes hisattendance on this course ‘willprovide vital technical knowledge toassist in the tendering and planningof work on site, assisting Salix inexceeding its present reach in themarket place’.

Salix integrate Ecology and CivilEngineering to provide "EcologicalEngineering" systems. They harnessthe power of vegetation to createsustainable, cost effectivebioengineering solutions.

Director David Hollandbelieves the GO Wales fundhas been valuable in thiscurrent economic climate.He said ‘it is vital that weretain ourtrained/knowledgeableworkforce, the GO Walesfund has allowed us tokeep up to date withthe trends and thetechnology that willadd a new life to bothour employees andthe continual growthof our organisation’.

The GO Walesteam at SwanseaMetropolitanUniversity canassist local businessesand graduates and they can becontacted on 01792 481109 or [email protected]

SMU GRADUATE RETURNS TO STUDYVIA GO WALES FUND

Matthew Eynon, originally fromPenclawdd, is a Fellow of theGeological Society after studyingthe Environmental Conservation andManagement Masters course backin 2003.

In May 2008, the Southern WalesRegional Group of the GeologicalSociety invited applicants for theirinaugural Early Career GeologistsAward, for which entrants wererequired to submit a synopsis ofgeological context.

Matthew was presented with theaward based on strength of contentand presentation of the paper to apeer group, which focused on theinteraction of engineering andgeology and the hidden landscapesof the Severn Levels. The award wasjudged and presented by the current

chairman of the Southern WalesRegional Group, Paul Maliphant.

Since completing the course,Matthew has seen his career developrapidly, spending nearly two years ata contaminated land consultancy inthe Midlands before moving back toWales and utilising his valuableexperience on the problems faced bybrownfield site redevelopment andthe geo-environmental challengesfaced by developers and landowners.

Matthew is now an Associate Directorat Earth Science Partnership, basedin Cardiff, an independent specialistconsultancy offering geo-technicaland environmental services to privateand professional clients across theUK.

He is responsible for managing anumber of technical teams and otheroperational activities, including workon the £400 million redevelopment ofReading Train Station, in associationwith Hochtief (UK) Construction andNetwork Rail.

Speaking about his experiences atSwansea Met, Matthew said: “TheMSc course gave me an excellentplatform to launch my career and I’mextremely happy to be tackling theunique geo-technical and geo-environmental challenges that the UKhas to offer.”

A SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITYENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION GRADUATEHAS SCOOPED A TOP GEOLOGICAL AWARD

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ALUMNI

During their studies, some studentsfind themselves working in pubsand clubs collecting empty glassesbut for one Swansea MetropolitanUniversity graduate, it has gonesome way to helping gain a PhD.

Swansea Met alumna, Dr Tyra Oseng,originally from Norway, collected herPhD award at the University’ssummer graduation ceremony.

Her thesis focused on sustainablemethods of glass production usingrecycled glass and last year, as auseful case study, Tyra embarked ona project creating some ‘one off’glass tiles for a kitchen and bathroommade up of old glass bottles,collected from pubs and clubsaround Swansea.

The tiles were then fitted into a newGwalia show home, Llys Hafan,which offers high-quality, affordableapartments situated in the heart ofSwansea’s landmark SA1. In additionto the tiles, Tyra also produced someadditional decorative glass pieces forother rooms in the apartment.

With sponsorship from SwanseaMetropolitan University, Tyra

completed thecommission as acase study for her,now completed,PhD research work,developing uniqueand new hand-made interior tilesmade of 100%bottle glass.

Utilising theresearch work thatTyra hasundertaken inrecent years, shehopes to develop her ideas into acommercial venture, Oseng GlassDesign, creating architecturalapplications with recycled bottle glassto install, decorate, or enrich areas foroutdoor and indoor uses.

As a result of this new andsustainable technique, contemporaryand innovative products can bedeveloped in collaboration witharchitects, interior and industrialdesigners and artists. The productsalso meet British and InternationalStandards.

About her project with Gwalia, Tyrasaid: “It was an amazing opportunityfor me to create a bridge betweenacademia and the industry. Beingable to work with a live case study,meeting the architects criteria anddeadlines, not only gave me the mostexcellent case study for my PhD, buthas also proven that my work is apotential business. My work providesarchitects and interior designers withsustainable products from locallysourced material, which areaesthetically pleasing and functionallydurable.”

A DOCTOR WITH THE BOTTLE GAINS AWARD

An academic from SwanseaMetropolitan University’s famousWelsh School of Architectural Glassis the only UK artist to be selectedas ‘Best in Show’ at a global glassexhibition in America.

Senior lecturer, Dr Vanessa Cutler, isone of the world’s leadingpractitioners of the pioneeringwaterjet cutting technology. Her workis concerned with pushing theparameters of waterjet cutting and,over the past five years, she has been

investigating thecreative uses ofwaterjet cutting forglass. This has ledto the developmentof new work that isutilising this cuttingedge technology inan imaginative andunique way.

Dr Cutler has hadno less than sixpieces of workselected for theexhibition and isone of only tenartists selected bya Jury as a 2009Best in Show

exhibitor, receiving a $1,000 travelstipend to attend the openingreception.

The exhibition, entitled BIGG:Breakthrough Ideas in Global Glass,is a collaboration between Ohio StateUniversity’s (OSU) Department ofArt's Glass Program and the OSUUrban Arts Space and HawkGalleries, and is sponsored byleading New York-based glassmakers, Steuben Glass. Theexhibition was held at the OSU UrbanArts Space and Hawk Galleries inColumbus, Ohio.

Like many of the world’s leading glassartists, Vanessa Cutler studiedarchitectural stained glass atSwansea Metropolitan University.

In 2007, she returned to the place itall began, becoming a lecturer atSwansea Met’s Welsh School ofArchitectural Glass.

TOP BRITISH ARTIST CONQUERS AMERICAIN GLOBAL GLASS EXHIBITION

Dr Tyra Osengwith her recycledglass tiles in theGwalia Showhome.

One of Vanessa Cutler’s sixexhibits on display in America.

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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

The build-up to the 2010celebrations of the 75 yearhistory of the Welsh School ofArchitectural Glass at SwanseaMetropolitan University hasbegun with Gathering Light, amajor exhibition of internationalcontemporary stained glass,being held in Swansea. Thisfollows the critically acclaimedshowings in Liverpool andParis.

The twenty exhibitors in thisshow come from as far afield asAustralia, New Zealand, Japan,United States and Canada.There are also exhibitors fromWales, England, Ireland, France,Germany, Austria and Iceland.They are all professional artistswhose individual styles reflecttheir range of cultures andbackgrounds.

Work from five of the world’sleading female glass artists, andSwansea Metropolitan UniversityAlumni namely, Chris Bird-Jones,

Chinks Grylls, Amber Hiscott,Catrin Jones and SachikoYamamoto are included in thehigh-profile exhibition, whichhighlights female artists whotrained in traditional stained glassand who are now interpretingthis heritage using contemporarylanguage. The workdemonstrates the spectrum ofartistic possibilities ofcontemporary decorative glass.

Gathering Light will show at theNational Waterfront Museum,Swansea, until January 24th2010.

In 2010, the Welsh School ofArchitectural Glass at SwanseaMetropolitan Universitycelebrates its 75th anniversary1935 - 2010. The School isunique in that it is the only purelyarchitecturally based glasscourse in the world. Many oftoday’s leading practitioners havelearnt their design and craft skillsin Swansea.

This exhibition is the first in ayear-long internationalprogramme of exhibitions,hosted by Swansea MetropolitanUniversity, at the NationalWaterfront Museum.

For further information, pleasecontact Chris Bird Jones viaemail [email protected] orcall 07742 125051. Alternatively,visit www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/swansea

Participating Artists

Systa Asgeirsdottir Iceland

Doreen Balabanoff Canada

Chris Bird-Jones Wales

Ginger Ferrell USA / UK

Marie Foucault-Phipps France / USA

Mimi Gellman Canada

Chinks Grylls England

Amber Hiscott Wales

Catrin Jones Wales

Cornelia König Austria

Linda Lichtman USA

Mary Mackey Ireland

Ellen Mandelbaum USA

Cedar Prest Australia

Helga Reay-Young Germany

Holly Sanford New Zealand

Helma Sauerbrey Germany

Christine Triebsch Germany

Sachiko Yamamoto Japan

Yoshi Yamauchi Japan / GermanyWe

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SWANSEA EXPERIENCES A‘GATHERING LIGHT’

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ALUMNI

A Swansea Metropolitan Universityphotography graduate was selected toexhibit at the prestigiousPhotographers’ Gallery in London.

The gallery is Britain's leading centre forcontemporary and historical photographyand is located in the heart of London'sWest End. The exhibition,freshfacedandwildeyed09, featured someof the most dynamic new photographyfrom across the UK.

One of the artists selected was ThomasPope, originally from Bristol, whograduated from Swansea Met’sPhotography in the Arts programme witha first-class honours degree in 2008.Since then, he has been shortlisted in anarts competition run by Channel 4 andthe Saatchi Gallery, has won both theMission Gallery Open and the SwanseaOpen competitions and has exhibited inthe Royal West of England Academy ofArt.

Thomas saw his work selected andexhibited at the Derby FormatPhotography Festival and his highestachievement came when accepted intothe Royal College of Art to undertake aMasters degree.

The chosen artists atfreshfacedandwildeyed09 were selected

by leading industry figures, includingphotographer, Joy Gregory, NationalPortrait Gallery Associate Curator forPhotographs, Magda Keaney, ThePhotographers’ Gallery Director, BrettRogers and Time Out London Visual ArtsEditor, Ossian Ward.

About his entry, Tom explains: “My work,The Escapades of The Higher Man,interprets Nietzsche’s philosophyregarding The Higher Man as God’ssuccessor, resulting from the declarationthat God is dead. Exploring this concept,while utilising performative gestures, seesthe collision of absurd and often perilous,yet equally humorous acts with notions of‘the everyday’. “Subsequently, thecomplex relationship that exists betweenthe photograph as performancedocument, the performative gesture and‘the everyday’ is brought into dispute andcritically re-examined.”

Tom has his first solo show at the GlynnVivian, Swansea in February 2010.

PHOTOGRAPHERS’ GALLERYDATE FOR MET GRAD THOMAS

A film made by legendary film director

Ken Russell at Swansea Metropolitan

University premiered during the Palic

European Film Festival in Serbia.

Back in 2007, the iconic filmmaker wasinvited to Swansea by Swansea Met’sCentre for the Creative Industries (CIRIC)as part of its masters’ series. Ken Russellwas so impressed with the previous workthat CIRIC has undertaken with Welshfilmmakers that he was keen to come toSwansea to make his latest film, BoudicaBites Back, utilising the expertise ofSwansea Met’s staff and students.

The film, described by Russell as a Cine-Opera, tells the story of Boudica, Celticwarrior queen, and her battle against theRomans. The project centred on the useof Swansea Met’s state-of-the-art GreenScreen studio, using a mixture ofprofessional film crew and students fromthe university’s video and performing artsprogrammes, who were the supportingcast. The film, which is a musicalinterpretation of Boudica's revolt againstthe Roman occupation of Britain, bears all

the hallmarks of Ken Russell's lavish andimaginative style, but utilises CIRIC's 21stCentury high definition filmmakingtechnology.

Once filming had finished, the footageshot by Ken was edited by his regularfeature film editor, Mike Bradsell, and thenpassed onto Swansea Met’s award-winning 3D Computer Animation studentsfor them to add special FX and 3Danimation.

Ken is said to be very impressed by theUniversity’s video making facilities andespecially pleased with the state-of-the-art filmmaking and editing studios.

The film’s producer and Swansea MetSenior Research Associate, Steve Sullivancommented: “The film was made with theintention of giving students across theUniversity an opportunity to work withone of Britain's best known and mostoriginal filmmakers, allowing them to haveexperience of working with industryprofessionals on a creative and innovativefilm.”

Steve himself knows the festival very well,having held a retrospective of his workand being named Artist of the Year, twoyears ago. He continued: “Now that thefilm has had its World Premiere we expectit to go on to show at international filmfestivals around the world, showcasingthe talent of our students, staff andCIRIC's state-of-the-art facilities.”

KEN RUSSELL’S SWANSEA-INSPIRED FILMGETS WORLD PREMIERE

Image taken from Thomas Pope’s work,The Escapades of The Higher Man.

Still images from the Ken Russell/Swansea

Metropolitan University film, Boudica Bites Back.

Page 16: INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 10

A Swansea Metropolitan Universitygraduate is leading the students ofWales after her successful electionas the National Union of Students(NUS) Wales President.

Katie Dalton, originally from Halifax inWest Yorkshire, took the reins fromcurrent President Ben Grey on July1st after serving as the NUSWomen’s Officer.

Her representative skills were honedearlier on in her university life, actingas a course rep for Swansea Met’sSurface Pattern programme, of whichshe was a student. From there, shetook on a similar role, this time for theentire Faculty of Art and Design,before becoming active in theUniversity’s Student Union (SU) as anon sabbatical Women’s Officer.

In the academic year 2006-7, Katiebecame the SU Welfare Officer beforebeing elected to the highest office asPresident in 2007-8. By this time, shewas established within the NUS,having taken a position on the WalesWomen Committee and the WalesNational Committee. Katie graduatedfrom Swansea Met in 2006.

Of her success at Swansea Met,Katie said: “Every achievement forstudents was important to me, largeor small. That’s why I stood forelection, that’s why the SU exists.From my first campaign where Iargued for Art and Design students tobe allowed to move into halls at thesame time as other students, towinning the funding for an educationand welfare support staff member inmy last month as SU President - theyall make differences to real students’lives.”

Elected at the NUS SpringConference, Katie’s role as Presidentsaw her becoming the public face ofNUS Wales, responsible forupholding and promoting its policyand representing Welsh students tothe Assembly, Parliament and otherexternal organisations and unions.She leads the Welsh ExecutiveCommittee in putting policy intopractice by running campaigns,lobbying and liaising with StudentUnions, and will also represent Welshstudents to NUS and other UK-widebodies.

16

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI CHAPTERS AND NETWORKS The Alumni Office is in the process of establishing Alumni Chapters. Alumni Chapters are made up of volunteers whoare members of the alumni organisation. Our network of Alumni Chapters will provide graduates with opportunities tonetwork, socialise, and recruit top students to Swansea Metropolitan University.

What are Alumni Chapters? Chapters are alumni groups who find themselves in the same geographic location. Chapters couldbe established in cities or countries with SMU graduates. This way the alumni living in these areas could build and maintain strongnetworks with the University and each other. Alumni Chapters can also be identified by their degree subject, their year of graduationor their area of employment (e.g. teaching, business, leisure, the arts).

What would Chapters do? Alumni Chapters are involved in a variety of activities. Through these activities Chapters would play acrucial role in extending and strengthening our alumni community.

Events - While the Alumni Office cannot host regular events and alumni reunions in every country in the world, we would like tooffer all of our alumni the opportunity to meet old classmates and make new contacts through our graduate base. Part of thefunction of an Alumni Chapter is to organise social, academic and professional networking events in their local areas. These eventsensure that our graduates can stay connected with the University and with each other. University staff who travel to the Chapter’sregion would also be able to participate with the Chapter’s activities.

Ambassadors - The Chapters will act as Ambassadors for the University. They can provide advice to prospective studentsinterested in embarking on a course of study at SMU. Chapters can assist staff at Student Recruitment events. Through sharingtheir own experiences they can provide their unique prospective on SMU life, to students interested in coming to Swansea to study.

Careers - Chapters can offer informal career advice. The Careers Service could use alumni connections to liaise with employersinteresting in promoting their jobs to SMU graduates.

How can I volunteer? We would love to hear from anyone interested in forming a Chapter and volunteering to join the Chapter.Chapters could be established provided there are sufficient alumni numbers/interest to make it viable. For further information or toregister your interest please email [email protected]

Former Swansea Metropolitan University Student Union President, Katie Dalton,with Swansea Met Honorary Fellow, Huw Edwards.

SWANSEA GRADUATE LEADSWELSH STUDENTS

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ALUMNI

ALUMNUSGARETH JOHNHONOURED INQUEEN'SBIRTHDAY LISTEarlier this year, Gareth John, Chairmanof the Federation of Disability Sport Wales,was honoured in the Queens Birthday list,for ‘services to sport’. Gareth John, ofGovilon, near Abergavenny, attendedSwansea Teachers’ Training College,1962-65 (in its earlier manifestation,before adopting University status.)

Gareth has served Disability Sport Walesfor over twenty years, the majority of thattime as Chairman. He has led thedevelopment of the Federation, guiding itthrough its early years as a voluntaryorganisation into the professional bodythat it has become today. He commentedthat he was delighted to receive theaward and said that he viewed it asrecognition for the work of theorganisation which he serves. He said ‘Iam delighted to receive this award onbehalf of a host of participants andathletes, the volunteers who supportthem and the highly committedprofessionals in disability sport here inWales who work so hard to create theopportunities for their involvement insport. The massive strides we havewitnessed in disability sport over the pastseven or eight years would not have beenpossible without the support of ourpartners The Welsh AssemblyGovernment and the Sports Council forWales, together with the Local Authoritiesand our sponsors, led by Ace Feet inMotion. It is a huge pleasure and privilegeto work with them all’

Andrew Austin - (BEng Computer

Systems Engineer – Graduated1997)

“I am currently working for IBM UK Ltd asa (contract) Technical Consultant,assisting an MoD Agency in improvingtheir development and support of a multi-million pound IBM UNIX / Storage /Virtualisation infrastructure. Myresponsibilities include ad-hoc technicalsupport, best-practice technicalconsultancy, and a major focus onhelping the agency's technical supportstaff adopt processes and procedures toimprove overall system availability”.

Serena Prior - (BA (Hons) PrimaryEducation – Graduated 1999)

“I am a teaching Principal in a PrimarySchool in my home county. I have beenemployed in this position for the past twoyears. I was teaching for eight yearsprevious to this in a convent school”.

Olive Thorman - (Product/Industrial Design - Graduated 2003)

“After working as a designer for a coupleof major extreme sport brands I havedecided that it's time for me to try andstart my own brand using the contactsand opportunities I have gained workingfor others”.

Ioanna Koundouraou - (Multi Media– Graduated 2002)

“Performing since 2003 I have trainedwith Farida Fahmy, Mahmoud Reda,Farouk Mostafa, Mohamed and NesrinKazafy and Nesma in Cairo where I wasbased for almost two years trying tocapture every little detail of the essence ofEgyptian Dances. Especially fond of thetraditional dances of Egypt I am alwayssure to promote the necessity of theirrevival through my workshops andclasses. I have performed solo or with mytroupes (\"Unaniin\" and \"The

Mediterranean Hips\") for a number ofcultural events (the opening of theNational Greek Festival, The Pan AfricanFestival etc) and choreographed theatricaland musical performances of wellrenowned directors in Greece, performedat the Planet Egypt events and the MajmaFestival of Glastonbury, in the UK..... Inthe past years I had the honour ofcollaborating with the great Natacha Atlasat her appearance in Greece as well asGreek artists like Tania Tsanaklidou,Eustathia, Stamatis Kraounakis and MakisChristodoulopoulos. I am currently basedin Athens, Greece, working as a teacher,choreographer and artistic director fortheatrical shows and big cultural eventsteaching classes and workshops homeand abroad but still spend my summers inEgypt trying not to miss on anything thatgoes on. I am a member of theInternational Dance Council (CID)performing at their annual Congresses inGreece for the past 3 years.”

Benjamin Lake – (BA (Hons)Primary Education with QTS -Graduated 2001)

“After completing my teaching degree infabulous Swansea, I am currentlyteaching a brilliant bunch of kids at aschool in Derby. Have experienced thehighs and lows of teaching but I am still atit and loving the teaching.”

Anna Mirsaya has been accepted toKing’s College and Stuart Thomas hasbeen accepted to Imperial. Both were1st Class Honours graduates of SMUBEng computer Systems and EngineeringProgramme.

Mikko Takkunen who graduated fromthe Photojournalism course this summerwas shortlisted for the Guardian studentphotographer competition.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW ALUMNI NEWS

Congratulations to all our Graduates!

If you have lost touch with an old friend from the University we may be able to helpreunite you. We will try our best to put you in touch with other graduates with whomyou have lost contact. Just forward your request to the Alumni Office with as manydetails 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 donot have a current contact address we will let you know.

All information held is in accordance with the DataProtection Act 1998 and therefore personal information cannot be released withoutconsent.

LETTER BOX SERVICE

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SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

DON’T FORGETTHE ALUMNIGOODIES

As a member of the alumniorganisation you will be able to usethe following facilities and servicesfree 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 WestWales.

Intellectual Property Rights Advisory Service.

Memorabilia can be purchased via theEde and Ravenscroft Website

www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk

UNIVERSITY LAUNCHED NEW COURSESMarketing and Psychology BA (Hons)

English and Drama BA (Hons)

Motorsport Technology BSc (Hons)Quantity Surveying BSc/HND

Please go to www.smu.ac.uk and click on Open Days to checkout the scheduled Open Days in 2010 for all Faculties.

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The Alumni Office is happy to helpwith arrangements for Reunions.We can assist with the mailings ofany lost contacts, help with thevenue, catering etc. Out of termovernight accommodation can alsobe arranged at discount prices.

If you are planning a Reunion get intouch and we will give you all thesupport we can.

We hope that all SwanseaMetropolitan University graduates willremain interested and involved in thelong term development of theUniversity. We welcomemembers’ suggestions fornew services and activities.We would also like to hearfrom you with your news,achievements andreminiscences. If youhave a ‘good story’ totell please let usknow.

REUNIONSALUMNI

Page 20: INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 10

CONTACT / CYSYLLTWCH GYDA

Julie ReedAlumni Officer / Swyddog Alumni

Swansea Metropolitan University / Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe

Phone / Ffon : 01792 481217

Fax / Ffacs : 01792 481217

Email / Ebost: [email protected]