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Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Winter 2016

TOGETHER STRONGER Wrexham Glyndŵr University and other giants of education in North Wales have further strengthened their ties by laying the foundations for a new era of academic and industrial collaboration.

The institution joined Bangor University and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai in signing a fresh partnership agreement that will see them seek alternative progression routes from further education to higher education and look at a wider strategic alliance in the region.

The university has also signed an agreement with Neath Port Talbot College Group, which will deliver the Looking Forward to HE module across its four sites.

The news comes as Wrexham Glyndŵr prepares to welcome incoming ViceChancellor Dr Maria Hinfelaar, who says she can see “huge potential” in the university.

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Introducing Dr Maria Hinfelaar, incoming ViceChancellor of Wrexham Glyndŵr University

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The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Inside this Issue

Campus round-up

News in Brief

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06-07

Dates for your diary Comedians Frankie Boyle and Sean Lock are among the top names performing at the William Aston Hall this year.

The venue welcomes a host of stars throughout 2016, including funnymen Adam Hills, Russell Kane and Tom Stade.

Rockers Hawkwind, opera singer Russell Watson, Madness frontman Suggs, Liverpool FC football hero John Barnes and pop legend Lulu are also to appear onstage at the theatre.

Lynda Powell, Director of Operations, said they will continue to bring the cream of UK and international talent to North Wales, a major selling-point in attracting visitors and prospective students to the university.

“Over the years our reputation for putting on top-quality events has continued to grow and grow, which is why the best names in comedy, music and theatre regularly return to the William Aston Hall and our other venues here in Wrexham,” said Lynda.

“We have welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the university over the last 12 months because we are providing them with top-class

Spread the word! If you’re not doing so already, follow us on Twitter at: @glyndwruni and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/glyndwruni and be the first to hear about the latest news, developments and events.

Dragons’ Den

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Winter 2016

Frankie Boyle

Russell Watson

entertainment - that will be no different in 2016.”

Wrexham Glyndŵr is also enjoying the fruits of its collaborative agreement with VMS - which operates, promotes and manages Manchester Academy, Brixton Electric and Birmingham Ballroom, amongst other arenas - and has brought top names including Shed Seven, Heaven 17, The Levellers and Martha Reeves to the William Aston Hall.

Lynda added: “Along with our events team, VMS has been instrumental in bringing some brilliant acts to Wrexham and together we have ambitious plans to further increase the quality and number of gigs and concerts we host over the coming years.”

The university is also set to welcome back Focus Wales from May 12-14, with the William Aston Hall and Centre for the Creative Industries among the sites used to host music and comedy during the popular festival.

Wrexham Glyndŵr’s School of media, Art and Design signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with organisers Neal Thompson and Andy Jones two years ago, and the partnership has since gone from strength to strength with a wide variety of artists appearing on campus, notably comedian Henning Wehn and ‘Voices Of The Land: Lleisiau’r Fro’ choral concert.

“Our facilities have been used as venues for Focus Wales since it started six years ago but this agreement took everything a stage further,” said Lynda.

“The festival is now a key part of our annual live events programme and it provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain real-life experience which will help them in their career. We look forward to hosting parts of the event again this year.”

For more information and a full list of events at William Aston Hall, call the box office on: 01978 293293 or visit the website: www.glyndwr.ticketline.co.uk.

Follow the team on Twitter: @willasthall.

For more on Focus Wales, visit: www.focuswales.com

Up to 50,000 people visited the Wrexham Glyndŵr conference facilities in 2015 The OpTIC Centre in St Asaph welcomed more than 29,000 people over the 12 months, while the main campus - including the William Aston Hall, Oriel Sycharth Gallery and Catrin Finch Centre - hosted around 19,000.

Among the companies and organisations to regularly use the university’s campuses, including Northop, are Kellogg’s, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham FC, Canary Designs, The Welsh Government and North Wales Credit Union.

One of the biggest events to take place in the coming weeks is the thriving children and baby markets launched by local mum-of-three and entrepreneur, Heather Marsh.

They have proven to be very popular in the community, the next events will be held on Saturday February 6 from 10am-2pm at the Catrin Finch Centre.

The business model has worked so well at Wrexham Glyndŵr that she has expanded the franchise to other venues in Chester and Ellesmere Port, as well as Northop, where the market is to be held in the sports hall.

She said: “I wanted to be able to offer parents a family-friendly environment where they could come regularly to sell their toys, equipment and clothes to other parents and for these mums and dads to come confident in the knowledge that they were getting top quality items at low prices.

Lots of research later I decided that a franchise

would be the best way forward.

“The Catrin Finch Centre is fantastic, we are regularly complimented on what a great choice we made in holding it there. It’s always clean and bright and just a nice place to be. The team are super-organised and everything is always as we asked for.”

For more information, visit: www.conferencevenues.glyndwr.ac.uk

Meanwhile, artists Karen Heald and Chris BirdJones open their exhibition, entitled Trywydd, Voyage on Wednesday February 10. The event will be introduced by Susan Liggett, Reader in Art and Design and Head of the Media Arts and Design Research Centre. Supported by Arts Council Wales and Wales Arts International. Visit www.birdjonesandheald.co.uk

Students’ Guild - The new student lounge is now open from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday. As well as room to relax and meet with friends, there is table tennis, games, computers, improved Wi-Fi and a microwave. President Marc Caldecott says a new water fountain and coffee and vending machines will be installed soon 02

The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Winter 2016

Giants of education

Giants of education in North Wales have further strengthened their ties to lay the foundations for a new era of academic and industrial collaboration.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Bangor University and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai met at the college’s Rhos-on-Sea campus to sign a new partnership agreement that will see the institutions seek alternative progression routes from further education to higher education and look at a wider strategic alliance in the region.

By working more closely together and building on existing connections, the three institutions will explore new ways to meet the skills and education needs of businesses and prospective students across North Wales and beyond.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has played a major role in increasing participation in education, and CEO Glyn Jones believes the union will support and enhance this further.

He said: “For many people, the cost and practicalities of going away to university makes getting a degree an impossibility. The provision of degrees locally has changed that.

“Our students often tell us that studying for a degree with us has literally been lifechanging. Increased knowledge and skills, more confidence, and better career and promotion opportunities are just some of the benefits they tell us they derive.

“Our strategic alliances with Bangor and Wrexham Glyndŵr universities are a formal recognition of the importance which all three institutions place on providing accessible, workrelated university qualifications for the people of North Wales and beyond.”

Bangor University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John G Hughes, said: “Bangor University is proud of its substantial involvement in the

Introducing Dr Maria Hinfelaar, incoming Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndŵr University Wrexham Glyndŵr has a crucial role in the region, demonstrating remarkable widening participation metrics and excellent graduate employability outcomes

region and has, over many years, embraced the opportunity to work with others to develop economy, improve skills and transfer knowledge and research into businesses.

“We are now entering into a new phase of our collaboration with regional education partners. The University is looking to strengthen and broaden its engagement with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and to begin a new phase of engagement with Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

“Collaboration with our partners in the region can only be to everyone’s advantage in these challenging times.”

Professor Graham Upton, Interim ViceChancellor at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, added: “We have a long and established relationship with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Bangor University and wanted to reinforce that commitment to working together.

“This agreement brings relationships with both institutions up to the present day - having been through structural changes and growth in recent years - and shows how we are all working together to enhance the provision of further and higher education in North Wales.

“Together we will have an even greater impact on education, industry and the local economy, delivering a more positive experience for all of our students and commercial partners.”

The move comes after Wrexham Glyndŵr and Coleg Cambria strengthened their strategic alliance agreement last year. Both parties will continue to work collaboratively to provide co-ordinated solutions to meet the training and skills development needs of businesses and employers in north east Wales, building on existing progression opportunities from FE to HE between the two institutions.

Dr Hinfelaar will be joining the university in April, as she steps down from her role as President of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).

The 56 year-old looks forward to making the move across the Irish Sea and has a clear vision for the future of the institution.

She said: “In just over two months’ time I will be joining Wrexham Glyndŵr University as your new Vice-Chancellor and I am really looking forward to it.

“Wrexham Glyndŵr is ambitious and has shown resilience in the face of significant challenges. It has a crucial role in the region, demonstrating remarkable widening participation metrics and excellent graduate employability outcomes.

“I can see huge potential for Wrexham Glyndŵr through deeper collaboration with industry in the region and partnerships with other educational providers.”

Dr Hinfelaar added: “The new Strategic Framework as “the university of and for north east Wales” sets clear direction, while leaving room for pioneering.

“When I arrive in early April, a key priority will be to get to know staff and students and experience the facilities at the university across all of its campuses.

“I will be spending time with you within your own departments, which will give me a better insight into what the university will be able to achieve in future. See you then!”

After 11 years at the helm of LIT, Dr Hinfelaar joins the university on April 1, replacing interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Upton.

Dr Hinfelaar joined LIT in 2004 and during her time has overseen a major period of expansion and innovation.

A Netherlands native, she was a student at The Leiden University and holds a PhD from the University of Maastricht - ranked in the top 10 of THE’s global list of universities under 50 years old.

The new-look Wrexham Glyndŵr University management team is not the only change to be made at the institution this year.

The 2017 guide to undergraduate studies is going to be a sparkling, bitesize version of the old prospectus, with a lighter feel, more conversational tone and striking images of students and facilities taken around our north east Wales campuses by Designer, Steve Dutton.

He and Marketing Officers Daniel Shires and Emma Jones are leading on the project and excited at publishing a guide to Wrexham Glyndŵr which is firmly aimed at the 18-21 market while retaining information and drawingout unique selling points from all courses and lecturers.

“We are not overwhelming people with content and on the whole the package is far cleaner, has more of an edge and will appeal to prospective students, industry

She has overseen significant development at LIT, which was named Institute of Technology of the Year 2008/09 and 2012/13 in the prestigious Sunday Times University Guide.

It is now the fourth largest Institute of Technology (IoT) in Ireland with 6500 full time and part time students and over 500 staff. LIT has built up a strong enterprise incubation and R&D profile, which Dr Hinfelaar is keen to ‘export’ to Wales.

A keen cyclist, Dr Hinfelaar is also eager to explore the beautiful surroundings of North Wales and will be moving to the area together with her husband Graham in the coming weeks.

Maxine Penlington OBE - unveiled as chair of the Board of Governors in December - believes Dr Hinfelaar’s appointment will ensure further growth at the institution.

“I am absolutely thrilled that Dr Maria Hinfelaar will be joining us this year to lead Wrexham Glyndŵr into the next exciting phase of its development, building on the very strong foundations laid by Professor Upton and the management team,” she said.

“Maria comes to us with an excellent track record of institutional leadership and of business and regional engagement and I am confident that she will be an asset both to the University and to the community of north east Wales.”

Professor Upton, who plans to step down on March 31, added: “This is an excellent appointment and shows what an exciting proposition Glyndŵr university will be for students moving forward.

“The institution has huge potential and Dr Hinfelaar recognises that. Her vision matches that of the university - to become bigger, stronger and bolder - so the future looks very bright indeed.”

Reflecting on his own time at the university, Professor Upton said: “It has been a challenging year but one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

“The staff worked incredibly hard to turn a corner and lay the foundations for the years ahead, which should see Wrexham Glyndŵr University grow in stature as an institution the people of Wrexham and north east wales can be incredibly proud of.”

and local partners,” said Daniel.

“Basically, we want them to experience Wrexham Glyndŵr for what it is - a vibrant, young institution at the heart of the community, delivering innovative courses in a friendly environment.

“We want to be bold and fresh and break the mould.

With this prospectus - though we are unsure whether it’s even going to be called a prospectus - we feel we have done that.

“There has been a lot of buy-in from across the university and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed.”

The public-facing website, including course pages, is also set for an overhaul in 2016 and is among a series of key tasks to be undertaken by the Communications team over the next 12 months.

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The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

The Chaplaincy

Campus round-up NORTHOP

The university’s caring reputation for student support has been reflected in an upsurge of chaplaincy users.

New figures revealed that numbers for November 2014 in comparison to November 2015 were up from 73 to 122 visitors.

December also saw a rise, from 51 to 63, and Chaplaincy Coordinator Naomi Squires has plans to improve the centre - now based in the Students’ Guild - even further.

“We are really pleased to see the chaplaincy is proving popular, not just with those who need someone to talk to for help and advice, but people wanting a quiet space for thought and reflection,” said Naomi.

“We are currently working on expanding our presence on the Northop and Regent Street campuses as well, and will be visiting our other sites regularly to ensure people know we are here if they need us, whether that be for staff or students.

“In the meantime, anyone is welcome to visit myself or the Chaplain or call for a chat. I would urge lecturers who might have students who are stressed or struggling - particularly during exam periods - to pay us a visit.”

The centre and quiet room are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am until 4.30pm.

For information, call 01978 293336 or email: chaplains@glyndwr.ac.uk

Academic Study Skills with Andrew Edwards Drop-in sessions: Our drop-in sessions from 12pm-2pm for students at Regent Street (Monday and Tuesday) and Crispin Lane (Wednesday and Thursday) have proven to be very popular, and we are now extending them to the Northop campus where they will take place every other Thursday from 9am until 2pm.

Group sessions and one-to one appointments: Please note that staff can still book sessions with us for their teaching groups on any study skills related topic, as can groups of students. One-to-one student appointments are available by booking through the VLE, visiting us on the ground floor of the library, or by telephoning 01978 294437 or 3981.

Alternatively, email: academicstudyskills@ glyndwr.ac.uk. We support planning, writing, Harvard referencing, maths and IT. Sponsored Spin: Please support the sponsored spin. Members of the Academic Study Skills and Learning Resources team will be holding the event on February 25 in the foyer of the Edward Llwyd Building.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Helen Colman to the team, who will be supporting IT. 04

Winter 2016

Glyndŵr Equestrian Club has been enjoying a busy time. No sooner had the year begun then they were off to the Horse of the Year Show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.

International Show Jumping, a spectacular display from the Mounted Metropolitan Police, Prince Philip Cup games and the Great Britain Vaulting team were just a few of the highlights.

Another event was the visit to World Horse Welfare, Blackpool. Club members met some of the equine residents who were being rehabilitated for rehoming following, for many, a traumatic past.

“The visit was inspirational, and no doubt provided lots of future career ideas,” said Tamsin Young, Programme Leader for Equine Science and Welfare Management.

For information on joining the club, email: t.young@glyndwr.ac.uk Meanwhile, the Zoological society has been snap happy over the New Year.

In 2016 they have chosen to raise funds for North Wales Seal Rescue. The SOS (Save Our Seals) drive will support a rehabilitation centre based at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay. President Sadie Thackaberry, who captured this striking image of model Liene Veidemane, said: “We have so far held a charity raffle, a onesie day and a collection at Northop campus.

“Our two main events were those of a photography nature. The first was the creation of a calendar; the production was a society affair, from models, to artists to the photographer. Sixty copies were sold, so we are delighted. The images didn’t stop there, though, and after discussion with the zoo the images are now to be turned into unique greeting cards, continuing to produce funds for the charity.”

Our other main photography project was the flora or fauna photography competition.

After an amazing 109 entries, society member Stephen Smith was voted the winner, with a striking spider web with dew entry.

The SOS drive was not the only thing they have been up to, according to Sadie.

“We have visited a country farm estate, a reindeer park, held many a social and enjoyed seminars from local companies,” she added. “It’s been a busy time for us.”

For more information, email: zoosociety@glyndwr.ac.uk

LONDON The university is settling into life at its new Kingstonupon-Thames campus.

Assistant Registrar Fiona Jeelani said: “We have had a wonderful start at the London campus, having started with a very successful re-enrolment process in September where the Registry team from Wrexham came to help us pull through it.

Louise Medlam, Alison Kulkowski and Julie Wright were here for the whole week making sure things worked out properly.

“Teaching of the existing students is getting on very well and we are in the process of preparing a business plan for recruiting Home and EU students to professional courses and top-up entry at Level 6 for the undergraduate courses.

“The Students Guild’ has visited the campus many times and are quite active here as well. They are considering having some cultural and sports events for the students in the near future and they are very excited to blend in with these activities.”

Fiona added that the Kingston team is working closely with the main Wrexham campus and the relationship is growing in strength all the time.

Model Liene Veidemane. Photograph by Zoological Society President Sadie Thackaberry

ST ASAPH The team at the OpTIC Centre is celebrating a £50,000 grant that will help the Denbighshire technology complex attract more business from the space sector.

Led by Caroline Gray, Interim Site Director, and Business and Innovation Centre Manager Debbie Davies, a bid was entered following calls from the UK Space Agency and its Innovation and Growth Strategy: Space Growth Action Plan.

The proposal highlighted the need to grow space in UK regions by providing a supportive commercial environment to assist entrepreneurs to grow and develop small companies. One method of doing this is through expanding support for business incubation centres across the UK, which is why the OpTIC Centre was chosen.

Caroline said: “The vision is to ensure a high quality, consistent supply chain for the sector.

Glyndŵr Innovations will maximise and expand current links to form a North Wales base of knowledge transfer, technological expertise and a programme of business and technical support in an environment which allows small companies to concentrate on growth and development without the constant pressure of everyday business concerns.

“It will, through its networks such as the North West Innovation Network, collaborate closely with similarly focused incubation units throughout the UK to share best practice and ensure small companies benefit through a national network of relevant events taking place in their sector.”

The OpTIC Centre is also looking to market desk and lab/office space, including rooms sized 96 sq m and another of 52 sq m.

For information, email: debbie.davies@glyndwrinnovations .co.uk or call 01745 535100.

Recruitment - with Andy Phillips, Admissions and Enquiries Manager This time of year can be very confusing for a potential university applicant. Admittedly, ANY time of the year can prove confusing when making such a big decision as where to go to university, but January and February tend to stand out. This is because there still tends to be quite a lot of conflicting information around what UCAS’ January 15 ‘deadline’ actually means.

If you’re applying to Oxford and Cambridge, then the date means very little. If you haven’t applied to them way before January, then that ship has already sailed by the 15th of January I’m afraid - try again next year and aim for October. If you’re applying to anywhere else though, the 15th of January is a date you need to bear in mind, but not necessarily panic about. That all depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it.

The 15th of January is actually the end of what UCAS call the ‘Equal Consideration’ period. This means that any application received by a university during that period must be considered equally with all others.

Someone applying in September won’t have any advantage over someone applying for the same course at the same university at mid-day on January 15th - we are obliged to give each of them equal consideration when making our decisions. UCAS enforce this by not allowing us to close any of our courses to new applicants before January 15th.

Of course, this doesn’t mean we HAVE to close our courses to new applicants after this date. Universities can keep their courses open after this date, and it is here where the confusion tends to arise. If, after January 15th, you are still considering applying to university

then it isn’t necessarily too late for you. As we said earlier, you just need to know what course you want to do, and where you want to do it.

Then you just need to contact that university, ask them if that course is still open for new applicants, and if it is you just complete your application through UCAS as normal.

Here, we like to keep options for new applicants as wide as possible for as long as possible, so will very rarely close a course after January 15th. The only exception to this rule is our BSc Occupational Therapy which always tends to shut its doors on Jan 16th. Other than this, courses across our subject areas will still be open for new applicants.

So, if you know anyone who is interested in studying with us this September, it’s not too late - just get in touch with us and we’ll help them through the process.

The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Insider Knowledge

Winter 2016

RESEARCH: Professor in Nurse Education, Debbie Roberts, together with Pam Richards from Sports Sciences and Computing’s Nathan Roberts is conducting a pilot study to explore the development of decision-making amongst police officers working for the Isle of Man Constabulary.

The initiative seeks to explore and accelerate the development of decision-making amongst new recruits by using reflection on professional practice through the vehicle of immersive learning.

Immersive learning describes an approach where students are enabled to learn through active participation in situation which they will likely encounter in the real world. The project uses a model of reflection developed by Pam for use in a sports context; which she is applying to a range of other disciplines. Nathan will later use the information gained from the alpha version to develop a unique immersive training environment which simulates the real world. This can then be used with recruits during their training programme.

BOOKS: Psychology’s Fiona Lintern and Julia Russell have completed two text books for the new award body OCR A-level specification. They are also working with lecturer Jamie Davies on a series of resources for the international specification and Fiona has published a book on research methods for A-level Psychology students.

STUDENT FUNDING AND WELFARE: The University’s Money Doctor Jenny Jones says that as well as the usual grants and loans for students, there are independent, often charitable funds they can apply to, such as the Thomas Howell’s Educational Fund.

This was extended to include the establishment, maintenance and benefit of girls schools in North Wales and first year students can apply, as well as those under 26 in their first year. Applications were available from November 10 2015 and so far 88 Glyndwr students have benefitted from £22,640 worth of funding.

For more information on criteria, email jen.jones@glyndwr.ac.uk

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Are you sitting comfortably? February is Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Month, and all members of staff are required to complete the DSE assessment, which can be found on the relevant health and safety section of Glynfo.

ALUMNI AND FUNDRAISING: Over the last few years, staff have worked hard to establish the fundraising arm of the University, stewarding philanthropic opportunities and creating links. As a result of this hard work and the generosity of stakeholders, Alumni and Fundraising Officer Jemma Kinch is pleased to report that over the last 12 months the institution has received a huge amount of support - notably on the Big Sunday Funday, when more than 1,000 people visited the Wrexham campus - raising a staggering £39,000. This money will all go towards supporting a range of funding needs including scholarships for students, campus facilities and new equipment.

LEARNING RESOURCES: As a result of students’ comments in the National Student Survey, the team at the Edward Llwyd Centre has been working on a project to address the availability of books and electronic resources that appear on reading lists.

Throughout the last year they have undertaken a gap analysis of stock from reading lists across all academic areas, with each member of the team focusing on a specific area of subject responsibility.

Librarian Zoe Collyer-Strutt said: “Wherever possible we have purchased eBooks, promoted and extended our digitisation service, and updated editions of listed titles. This ongoing project has entered a new phase, extending the gap analysis to further reading titles to increase the provision of relevant material that Learning Resources can make available to students.”

STARTERS: The future of NEW A warm Wrexham Glyndŵr our students welcome to the following with Careers Adviser, Andrea Hilditch It’s been an incredibly busy few months for the team; since opening our new base in the Edward Llwyd Centre we have been more active than ever.

Just some of the events we have coming up include: Creative Futures on February 29 - March 3 will see over 45 speakers plus a daily keynote speaker addressing the students from the creative industries.

The biennial Criminal Justice Student Conference on March 9 which will have a number of speakers including staff who will be based in the North Wales Prison, the Regional Manager from ARCH, and the Refuge Manager from the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit (DASU).

The Education Careers Day April 26 - the Careers team are helping to organise the alumni speakers and will be giving a presentation themselves to year 2 students.

The Glynspired event is an annual volunteering fair which will be held on February 23 with Travelteer, Catch 22, and Clwyd Scouts amongst the organisations who will be recruiting volunteers on the day.

Flux - Gill Hewitt, Employability Officer, travelled to London early this month as part of the Zone activities to support a small group of Wrexham Glyndŵr students taking part in the two-day Flux 2016 challenge, the UK’s biggest student business competition (the students did really well, learned a lot from the experience, but sadly missed out on any prizes / places).

The team have been recruiting for the Guild Receptionist and BUCS Sports Facilitator roles via Glyndŵr Temps, and also have successfully recruited new Destinations Callers to begin the Destination of Leavers survey this month.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support. If you have any further on-campus roles, or if external organisations have any vacancies or experience opportunities they wish to advertise, please get in touch with careerscentre@glyndwr.ac.uk or call: 01978 293240.

Philip Youens Demonstrator/Technician in Engineering Edna Astbury-Ward Senior Lecturer in Nursing Hannah Elizabeth Bierley Assistant Management Accountant Alison Pugh HR Business Partner - Development & Diversity Edward Taylor-Robinson Campus Services Manager Jenny Whittaker Practice Educator James Griffiths Practice Educator Nina Ruddle School Manager Naomi Saunders Senior Quality Officer Sean Finch Accounts Receivable Supervisor Saffron Amber Grover Associate Director of Communications, Marketing & Recruitment Nathalie Rees Graduate Support And Destination Co-ordinator Bobby Manesh Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Paul Green Demonstrator/Technician in Engineering Claire Blanchard Senior Lecturer In Marketing And Consumer Psychology Brenda Irwin Finance Officer Heather Collin Digital Communications Officer David Brotherton-Ratcliffe Professor In Applied Photonics James Robinson Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering Philippa Rowena Francis Campus Services Assistant Hans I Bjelkhagen Professor In Applied Photonics

Spectroscopy in a Suitcase!

Techniquest Glyndŵr (TQG) is one of 33 UK organisations contracted by the Royal Society of Chemistry to deliver the ground-breaking Spectroscopy in a Suitcase project to schools and colleges.

By teaming up with doctors Jixin Yang and Ian Ratcliffe from Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s project brings the institution together with some of the most prestigious education providers in the UK, including Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh and Trinity College Dublin.

The science discovery centre, based on the main Wrexham campus, successfully bid for the spectroscopy contract last year and is now able to deliver 15 practical spectroscopy sessions across the region each year. It has already delivered six sessions since November.

The initiative is an outreach activity which gives pupils the chance to learn about spectroscopy through hands-on experience. As well as covering the principles of spectroscopic techniques, the activities use real-life contexts to demonstrate the applications of the techniques.

Scot Owen, Education Manager at TQG, said: “The Spectroscopy in a Suitcase Project is really valuable to us and has already delivered a huge range of benefits for the school and college students, for us as a charity, and for Glyndŵr University.”

Science Communicator Dawn added: “It’s really great we can take this technical equipment out to schools and colleges and unpack it from a suitcase and then deliver a challenging workshop to the students taking part.”

Dawn Wilde, Science Communicator for Techniquest Glyndŵr, left, uses the spectrometer with students Nicole Burton and Barnaby O’Brien from South Cheshire College, Crewe

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The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Winter 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF...

Take a health and wellbeing charity, a university and an ex Royal Marine, add in Lottery funding and you have an inspirational partnership that is helping to transform the future for people whose lives have been affected by drug and alcohol issues.

The charity is ARCH, the university Wrexham Glyndŵr, and the former Royal Marine Neil Davies, founder of outward bound organisation Active Adventure North Wales.

Together we launched a pioneering pilot scheme which draws on the region’s natural beauty and uses outdoor pursuits to support those who have experienced problems with drugs and alcohol on their journey to recovery.

The initiative comprises a series of day-long courses tailor made for ARCH’s clients across the six counties of North Wales.

Lucy Jones, the university’s Work Experience Officer, said: “We have strong relationships with charitable organisations across the Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire areas and were able to enhance the work ARCH is already doing through People and Places Big Lottery funding.

“The partnership with ARCH fits in very well with our aim to help our students to become involved with a charitable project and gain through work experience. Not only does that aid their employability, it also brings real benefits for the community.”

A family car built to honour military personnel took the chequered flag in its class following a 1000km endurance race.

The university partnered with Tŵp Racing to become one of 45 starters on the grid for the 2015 Race of Remembrance at Anglesey Circuit in November.

Competing in the 1800CC cup, Team Tŵp’s modified Mazda MX-5 Mk1 won first in class, claiming the competition’s Normandy Cup in the process.

The Race of Remembrance was established by Mission Motorsport in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Students provided key support to Team Tŵp, modifying the vehicle ahead of the race and making final adjustments to get the car track ready over the weekend. Students were also responsible for running the pit crew for the weekend.

Olivier Durieux, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, said: “The most important part of the event was the remembrance, but we were obviously delighted to see the students help towards the car claiming first in class.

“We’re proud to be involved with Team Tŵp, who are providing students with excellent experience as they look to build a career within the motorsport industry.”

Race of Remembrance at Anglesey Circuit 06

Community radio station Calon FM is even “bigger and better” after making a sound move to its new home at Wrexham Glyndŵr university.

Programmers unveiled the revamped studios in front of more than 50 guests at the university’s Centre for the Creative Industries in November.

The team - led by station editors Katherine Wade and Amy Hughes - joined BBC Wales and Glyndŵr’s Media, Arts and Design department in the £5million facility.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas launched the station at the former North East Wales Institute in 2004, and said he was delighted to see it grow in stature, as the university has over the years.

“I’m really proud to see so many of the same faces are still here and part of its success,” said Mr Lucas.

“My ultimate ambition is for a local radio station for the whole of Wrexham and this can be done from here, with more support from the BBC, which has regional stations in other areas.

“We want to see that happen, so Calon FM gets bigger and better and has an even greater reach and listenership. That way we can build our media community; I know that’s the vision for the team here.”

Mike Wright, Principal Lecturer in Audio Technology at Wrexham Glyndŵr university, was in agreement.

“We have enjoyed so many significant achievements over the years, so this is a special day,” he said.

A best-selling author and former soldier who played a major role in the Army’s changing attitude towards homosexuality paid tribute to the university for celebrating difference and cultivating change.

James Wharton, from Wrexham, received an honorary fellowship in October, watched by mum Pauline, step-dad Phil and sister, Liza, herself a Wrexham Glyndŵr graduate.

The 28-year-old said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Wrexham Glyndŵr University. This means a lot.

“But this isn’t about someone going out into the world and achieving a little bit of success or making a difference. This is about an institution, and a very traditional one, underlining its commitment to equality and diversity.

“People can change and organisations can change, and when those two things go together entire nations can change.

“Anyone can change and that’s what this honorary fellowship is about. It will always shout very loudly from my mantelpiece at home that change is always inevitable - and it’s brilliant.”

James added: “I will always work with this university to continue the momentum of celebrating difference and those people who are shape-shifters in cultivating change. We have come so far but we have so much further to go”.

Artist Bedwyr Williams was also awarded the accolade and spoke of his delight as “a proud Clwyd boy”.

Originally from Old Colwyn, Bedwyr is recognised as one of the UK’s top contemporary artists and was “honoured” to receive the fellowship.

“When I went to school, Old Colwyn, which is where I grew up, and Wrexham, where I would come on holiday, were all in the same county Clwyd,” he said.

“When I left Wales and went to study overseas the counties changed, but I’ll always be a proud Clwyd boy and am very, very honoured to receive this.”

Other names to pick up fellowships were organic farmer Lord Newborough; artist Ben Johnson; Peter Davies, current Sustainable Futures Commissioner for Wales at Cynnal Cymru and chair at Climate Change Commission for Wales, and environmental scientist Prof Sir John T Houghton.

Katherine Wade and Amy Hughes

Community radio station Calon FM

Motor racing fans headed to Wrexham to catch a glimpse of rising Junior World Rally Championship star Osian Pryce.

The 22-year-old driver from Machynlleth visited Glyndŵr with his Citroen racing car as part of a tour of north and mid-Wales to promote Wales Rally GB. Osian said: “It was great to give the guys here a chance to see the car which I compete with and get some inspiration for the design of their own projects.

“The students obviously understand it all better than most and have probably asked more questions than anyone else who I’ve met on the tour.”

Osian began driving aged 12 and by 16 was competing at national level in rally

Business masterclasses from two of the region’s leading organisation’s helped students get a step ahead in their studies.

Award-winning Chester marketing and PR agency De Winter followed Kellogg’s, one of Wrexham’s biggest employers, in giving talks to students.

Both were scheduled to increase their understanding of their subject, as well as giving them a valuable insight into the business world.

A talk on manufacturing within Kellogg’s was provided by the company’s innovation project manager, Peter Loveday. The session by De Winter was delivered by the company’s director and founder, Hems deWinter.

Claire Blanchard, Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Consumer Psychology, said: “Preparing graduates for the world of work is the number one priority for Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

We achieve this by working with employers both in the design of our courses and through regular masterclasses such as this.

“Learning about business from the viewpoint of those working within it is one of the best ways to increase knowledge and the event was extremely useful for everyone who attended.

“We’re delighted and very grateful to both Peter and Hems for giving up their time to support the students’ studies.”

A 24-hour comic marathon led by a university lecturer was among the highlights of an international art festival.

Dan Berry, Programme Leader for Illustration, Graphic Novels and Children’s Publishing at the North Wales School of Art and Design, played a pivotal role in the success of last year’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal.

Curator, producer and a participant in the comic marathon, Dan was one of six artists to produce a 24-page comic book in 24 hours.

The books were printed immediately following the event and went on sale for the duration of the festival.

Dan’s performance comic, The Three Rooms in Valerie’s Head, was produced with writer David Gaffney and musician Sara Lowes.

He said: “The 24 hour comic marathon has been a feature of the event for two years and it went extraordinary well. The artists were from all over the UK and the time constraint really brought out the best of everyone’s creative talents.

“The festival is a really special event for anyone involved with the industry or just a passion for the genre and it’s brilliant to be part of it.”

Guests included Charlie Adlard, co-creator of The Walking Dead and Steven Appleby, creator of comic strips for newspapers including The Times, The Guardian and The Sunday Telegraph.

James Wharton

championships. In 2011 he entered his first British Rally Championship and took ownership of his current car in 2012.

Osian Pryce with students

Dan Berry

The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Winter 2016

All available space at the university’s new business innovation centre was snapped up ahead of its official opening in November.

The institution held a formal opening celebration of its Enterprise Lounge to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015.

The complex offers students and graduates looking to turn their business ideas into reality with furnished office space, in-house expert support and a whole range of essential business resources and facilities.

It is designed to give companies a kick-start by breaking down two of the most common barriers to success for start-ups - affordable office space and access to support networks.

ZONE Enterprise Hub, Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s dedicated enterprise service, will be providing every occupant of the Enterprise Lounge with expert business support, one-toone mentoring, and access to workshops and training in all areas of business development.

Lynda Powell, Director of Operations, said: “We’re delighted that the centre is now open and even more pleased with the response we’ve had from students.

“We are passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and the enterprise lounge is the result of a lot of hard work by staff across the university to provide students with an opportunity to achieve success in business.”

The launch of the Enterprise Lounge was followed by an official opening of the new home for the Careers Centre.

The centre has moved into the university’s library building in order to offer an improved service to students.

The life-changing experience of attending a supported living scheme after leaving home aged 14 inspired a single mum-of-two to attend university with the ambition of helping other young people to transform their futures.

Annmarie Duncan says the time and valuable life skills she picked up at Hurst Newton Hostel, Bersham, inspired her to follow a career as a youth and community worker.

Now 24 and a student on Wrexham campus, Annmarie walked out of her family home on Caia Park as a teenager following an argument with her mum. But she was left homeless when, after going to live with her dad, he was evicted from his house.

Annmarie spent 14 months at the supported living scheme, getting her life back on track before returning to college to study for more qualifications.

She is currently studying on a kick-start year, leading to progression on to Glyndŵr’s Youth and Community degree.

“Returning to study has been hard - I only attended school 50% of the time and left with very few qualifications - but I want to better my life and better the life of my kids,” said Annmarie.

“I want to show them by example that whatever they want to achieve in life they can do it through education.”

Jess Achilleos, Lecturer in Youth and Community Studies, said: “The university is passionate about providing everyone with the ability to achieve with the opportunity to achieve, whatever their background, and the first time we met Annmarie we thought she would become an outstanding youth worker.”

Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s Enterprise Lounge

Jess Achilleos and Annmarie Duncan

Overseas students united for a new event designed to further raise awareness of visa responsibilities at the university.

The inaugural International Shout-Out brought together students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) studying on Wrexham campus for an information sharing event focusing on their visa responsibilities as sponsored international students.

Alison Kulkowski, University Compliance Manager, said the activity was also informative, ensuring students understand and comply with the terms of their visa and cooperate with the institution in fulfilling its Tier 4 responsibilities.

As well as a fun quiz, those in attendance

took part in workshops, games and enjoyed afternoon tea, hosted by Student President Marc Caldecott, and Vice President, Emily Karim.

“It was an excellent opportunity to engage with international students about their visa conditions and provide practical advice on how to succeed in the UK education system, in a fun and approachable environment,” said Alison.

“Students were involved in the planning, delivery and filming of the event, with three of them volunteering to give a presentation on their experience so far at Glyndŵr University Wrexham.”

WATCH the video here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=8PvXlUTD3mU

A close partner of the university - chaired by its Chancellor, Trefor Jones - is celebrating 21 years at the pinnacle of palliative care with a series of fundraising events throughout 2016.

St Asaph-based St Kentigern Hospice - which has a close working partnership with the institution’s OpTIC Centre - opened its doors in 1995 and has supported thousands/hundreds of patients and their families over that period.

The team are looking forward to celebrating in style by bringing the community together and shining a light on the incredible work of the many staff who continue to provide the highest levels of care.

Chairman Trefor Jones CVO OBE, hopes people across north east Wales will get behind the hospice - which costs £1.4million a year to run - as it drives new campaigns and appeals to further improve its offering in the heart of Denbighshire.

Trefor said: “We are very appreciative of the heartfelt generous support we have received from the community over the years; to establish us as a palliative care facility in the first respect and then to maintain and develop our presence over the past 21 years, aiding us through economic crisis and enabling us look forward in our 21st to develop St Kentigern Hospice for the future.”

The hospice’s original fundraising group formed at its inaugural public meeting on April 29 1986 at Bodelwyddan Castle and Lady Langford was

Trefor Jones and Lady Langford

appointed Vice Chairman of the committee.

Lady Langford is still a big part of St Kentigern Hospice currently in post as President.

She added: “It is remarkable to think how far we have come and the incredible achievements that have been; and continue to be, accomplished through the hard work and dedication of the hospice team, including staff, volunteers and the wider community.”

The university reinforced its position at the cutting edge of commerce and industry by launching the North Wales Business School.

The School was founded to further meet the demands of the region, producing innovative degrees and professional courses in partnership with employers.

With a raft of new and existing qualifications designed to prepare students for the world of work - including the Executive MBA, Sports Management, Consumer Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management - the university felt the time was right to take a step further and rebrand its business offering.

Professor Chris Jones, Head of the School, said this fresh start reflects its burgeoning position in the market.

“The fact we are spreading outside of our traditional boundaries and across North Wales - spanning the A55 and beyond - means it is time for us to make this change,” said Professor Jones.

“We have grown and brought in more people with real industry experiences from people in event management to those with years of experience in banking.”

He added: “The University has broken down its own boundaries and rather than operating in silos we are now working closely alongside the engineering departments, marketing and sports.

“We are flexible and meet the needs of our students, we don’t tie them down to long degree courses if that does not suit them or their employer.

“We can offer education in steps that make life easier for people; we are open to those wanting to take bits of education and become lifelong learners.”

The change came as a report commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) revealed Wrexham Glyndŵr University directly and indirectly generates more than £176million a year for the UK economy, as well as creating 1,490 jobs in the UK.

A world-leading expert in optoelectronics will champion the university among giants of the internet age.

Michael Lebby, a visiting professor and chair in optoelectronics, is forging new links with industry in Silicon Valley on behalf of the institution.

Professor Lebby, who hails from California, will hold meetings with the likes of Google, Twitter, Amazon, eBay and Facebook to attract students and investment.

He is fully supportive of Wrexham Glyndŵr’s new five-year strategy - including a projected turnover of £1.7m this academic year and plans to double student numbers by 2020 - and believes securing partnerships with internationally significant heavyweights of industry will reinforce that vision.

“I’m already working with the University of Southern California (USC) and helping them to raise private money in the Bay area from these companies,” said Professor Lebby, recently named chief executive officer of a research-

oriented optoelectronics company.

“They are based in Los Angeles and don’t have a lot of in-depth reach into social media and hitechnology in that region, which is where I live, so I can help deliver that.

“I will be meeting the executives of these companies - the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Amazon - and some will donate to USC in some way, while others will want to do collaborative programmes and look at ways to attract students.

“While I’m there it will make a lot of sense to talk about Wrexham Glyndŵr as well, and look at ways we can leverage students and business to Wales.”

He added: “Wrexham Glyndŵr University may be small in size but it’s not the size that matters it’s how down to earth you are and practicality, so the flexibility here is a definite strength. You want to know what job you’re going to get at the end of your degree, and the institution has a very good reputation among students and industry for that.”

Overseas students with university staff at the event 07

The Wrexham Glyndŵr University Newspaper

Destination Wrexham The university has been building even closer links in the community in past months.

Hospitality, Tourism and Events students - part of the new-look North Wales Business School - have been supported by Wrexham Destination Partnership during a series of activities.

Following funding support from Welsh Government’s Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF), Joe Bickerton, Destination Manager at Wrexham council, has been helping them to discover more about north east wales and the people who visit.

With tourism in Wrexham county having increased by over 25% since 2009, the area is really on the up and the forthcoming Year of Adventure in Wales should hugely benefit the region.

The opportunity to collaborate with Destination Management gives students a unique and beneficial insight into the workings of a visitor management team and the funding from Welsh Government has also enabled field trips to take place so that students on the course can network and form relationships with staff currently working in the trade.

Opportunities such as this are vital for students wishing to develop their career in the local industry at a time when numerous opportunities will exist as the region goes through such a large period of growth and

development.

“By working with the students on this course, I’ve really been able to help get to know some of their aspirations and help advise them about pathways and opportunities that may exist both now and in the future,” said Joe. “They are a really talented group, most notably having attended workshop meetings with us and given some really creative input.

“In addition, they’ve shown real initiative

Super Pupils!

More than 60 year 7 pupils from across the region visited Wrexham Glyndŵr University to help come up with ideas for the new super-prison to be built in the town.

The youngsters enjoyed the Dragons’ Den activities with Widening Access Co-ordinator Sarah-Lou Gaffney and brand expert Sid Madge.

The Head of Communications for the new prison also attended to speak to the children - who were all from Communities First areas and ask them to help come up with ideas for a name, as well as how to decorate the interior, colour schemes and themes.

Sid said: “It is amazing to have all of these kids here today, the energy is just fantastic.”

“I decided to team up with Wrexham 08

Glyndŵr on this workshop because I love the university, it’s a great hub for the area and the local people and workshops like this bring communities together.

“The prison is going to employ 1,000 people which is a brilliant initiative and it will be great for the local area, as Wrexham Glyndŵr has been.”

Winter 2016

to by staging a recent Christmas Fayre at local company Moneypenny and we’re also working with them to look at a possible fringe event for the Wrexham Food Festival this Spring.

“One of the most creative pieces of work, though, has been a recent project to devise a visitor map for north east Wales and the level of research and innovation has been excellent.

“Indeed, we were so impressed that we are looking at taking one of these concepts forward and doing a full design and print-

run of it with the funding that we have something that will not only help our visitors, but showcase the level of talent from these students.”

Programme Leader Jacqueline Hughes-Lundy added: “Combining academic learning with creativity and practical application is how we prepare our students for a successful career within this industry. Learning not just by success but by failure.”