INTOUCH Alumni Magazine

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 13, WINTER 2012/13

INTOUCH

INTOUCH

HISTORIC MOMENT FOR WELSH HIGHER EDUCATION AS INSTITUTIONS MERGE Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David have merged in what has been described as a historic moment for higher education in Wales. The merger has taken place under the 1828 Royal Charter of the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David following the sealing of the supplemental charter. It has the oldest Royal Charter in Wales and England outside the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and it is under this Charter that the new institution has been created.

This announcement does not affect current or future students and the ‘Swansea Metropolitan’ brand will remain, integrated as a part of the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David. However, this historic development will allow the transformed University to enhance the already excellent student experience offered by its predecessor institutions.

Swansea Metropolitan University has been a major centre for the delivery of vocational higher education for almost one hundred and sixty years. It was, and will continue to be, firmly rooted in the community it serves, and maintains close links with industry, commerce and the public services.

Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor of the new unified University, said: “This is a historic moment for both Swansea Metropolitan and University of Wales: Trinity Saint David. We have formally started the process of creating a transformed University which will build upon the traditional strengths and values of both academic institutions. The merger also meets the Welsh Government’s priority for greater critical mass building and radical structural change.”

ALUMNI

YEARS OF EDUCATING THE EDUCATORS

ADEG HANESYDDOL I ADDYSG UWCH YNG NGHYMRU WRTH I SEFYDLIADAU UNO

Mae Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe a Phrifysgol Cymru: Y Drindod Dewi Sant wedi uno yn ystod yr hyn a ddisgrifiwyd fel adeg hanesyddol i addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Mae’r sefydliadau wedi uno o dan Siarter Brenhinol 1828 Prifysgol Cymru: Y Drindod Dewi Sant yn dilyn sêl y siarter atodol. Ganddi hi mae’r Siarter hynaf yng Nghymru a Lloegr y tu allan i Brifysgolion Rhydychen a Chaergrawnt ac o dan y Siarter hwn y mae’r sefydliad newydd wedi’i greu.

Nid yw’r datganiad hwn yn effeithio ar fyfyrwyr presennol na rhai’r dyfodol a bydd y brand ‘Metropolitan Abertawe’ yn parhau, wedi’i integreiddio’n rhan o Brifysgol Cymru: Y Drindod Dewi Sant. Fodd bynnag, fe fydd y datblygiad hanesyddol hwn yn caniatáu i’r Brifysgol ar ei newydd wedd wella ar y profiad rhagorol a gynigir yn barod gan y sefydliadau rhagflaenol.

SWANSEA TEACHER TRAINING 1872-2012 HIGHER EDUCATION IN TOWNHILL 1912-2012 Swansea Metropolitan celebrated 140 years of teacher training at the institution and the centenary of its Townhill campus this year.

Bu Prifysgol Fetropolitan Abertawe yn ganolfan bwysig er darparu addysg uwch alwedigaethol ers yn agos i gant chwe deg o flynyddoedd.

Roedd hi wedi’i gwreiddio’n gadarn yn y gymuned y mae’n gwasanaethu arni, ac fe fydd hyn yn parhau, yn ogystal â’i chysylltiadau agos â diwydiant, masnach a’r gwasanaethau cyhoeddus.

Dywedodd Yr Athro Medwin Hughes, Is-Ganghellor y Brifysgol newydd unedig: “Mae hon yn adeg hanesyddol i Fetropolitan Abertawe a Phrifysgol Cymru: Y Drindod Dewi Sant. Rydym wedi cychwyn yn ffurfiol ar y broses o greu Prifysgol ar ei newydd wedd a fydd yn adeiladu ar gryfderau a gwerthoedd traddodiadol y ddau sefydliad academaidd. Hefyd, mae’r uno’n bodloni blaenoriaeth Llywodraeth Cymru i adeiladu mas critigol mwy a newid strwythur yn radical.”

A number of key figures in the Institution’s history, past and present, were at Swansea Met’s Townhill campus for an afternoon of celebrations. The event was open to the public, particularly those who had a connection to the School of Education.

The then Swansea Training College was opened in 1872 by the British and Foreign School Society. Possible locations for this new college were extensive, including Shrewsbury, Brecon and Aberystwyth. However, documents from the time reveal that Swansea was

There have been some significant changes around the department in recent decades, starting in 1976 when the then Swansea Education College, along with Swansea’s College of Art and Technology College, morphed into the newly establish West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education.

In 1992, the institution became a Higher Education Corporation and renamed itself Swansea Institute of Higher Education. The evolution continued when, in

2008, it was granted permission by the Privy Council to change its name to Swansea Metropolitan University.

In 2009, teacher education throughout Wales was reconfigured into three large centres. One of those new centres, the South West Wales Centre of Teacher Education, is comprised of Swansea Met and the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David.

The event included the opening of an archive exhibition as well as talks from the Chairman of the British and Foreign School Society Roger Howarth and retired formed Dean of Education and Humanities at the University, Professor Ken L. Jones.

FELLOWSHIP FOR WELSH BROADCASTER AT CELEBRATION EVENT In addition to the celebrations a special Honorary Fellowship was bestowed upon Welsh language broadcaster Elinor Jones, a former pupil of the teacher training college.

Elinor Jones

Honorary Fellow

2

chosen as it ‘appeared to be a suitable place, central for South Wales, ease of access by railway and steamboat from North Wales and the West of England, and possessing a moral and political atmosphere in which [the College] was likely to thrive’.

Born in Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, Elinor was familiar with TV at a young age. She was a regular on the Eisteddfodau circuit as she frequently gave recitals and sang in front of the cameras.

She decided to pursue a career in teaching and trained at the School of Education at Swansea Met, between 1964 and 1967, before spending six years as an infant teacher at Cardiff-based Bargoed and Rhiwbina schools.

In the early 1970s, Elinor was approached by HTV Wales about becoming a presenter following her lectures about infant education. HTV Wales offered her a job presenting school programmes, which she accepted, and then became a full-time announcer.

She was then asked to become a news presenter on HTV’s Welsh language programme ‘YDydd’.

Following the inception of S4C in 1982, BBC Wales secured the contract to provide Welsh language news, but Elinor was given an opportunity to start her own Welsh and English language chat shows on S4C and HTV. During this time she would interview guests such as Humphrey Littlejohn, Ruth Madoc, Kenneth Williams and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Elinor has also fronted a range of outside broadcasts such as the National Eisteddfod, Urdd Eisteddfod and the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

More recently, Elinor has been co-host on S4C Welsh language magazine shows such as ‘Heno’, ‘P’nawn Da’ and ‘Wedi 3’.

Elinor accepted her award in front of an audience of past and present graduates and staff from Swansea Met’s education school as well as a number of distinguished guests.

Elinor said: “It is an honour to be a Fellow of this wonderful University. I am so grateful to the lecturers who were here during my studies.”

3

ALUMNI

INTOUCH

PGCE SECONDARY PROGRAMMES What are your plans after graduation? Have you thought about training to teach for a rewarding career with competitive rates of pay?

“The best thing about teaching is interacting with my students and sharing the passion I have for my subject. I get so much satisfaction from realising that my questioning and guidance will make a difference.”

SMU PGCE Business Studies Teacher Our initial teacher training programmes equip students with the confidence, skills and attributes required to teach anywhere in the UK and to

take advantage of cutting edge technologies in an information-rich world in order to capture the attention of young people and enhance their learning and appreciation of the world around them.

With non-repayable and tax free financial incentives up to £15,000 available it really is a great time to aspire to teach *. (*subject to programme and degree qualification) We offer PGCE programmes in the following areas: ● Biology ● Business Studies ● Chemistry ● Cymraeg/Welsh ● Design and Technology ● English

● ● ● ●

Geography History ICT Mathematics Modern Foreign Languages ● Physics ● Religious Studies ● Science 11-16

now differentiate between and communicate with the pupils. I can plan, evaluate, reason, reflect, report, solve problems, source ideas, inspire, lead, laugh, motivate and empathise.’

SMU PGCE English Teacher

If you hold, or are about to hold, a degree or equivalent qualification in any of the subjects listed above, why not study for a PGCE in secondary school teaching and gain qualified teacher status.

Book yourself onto our PGCE secondary information morning on Tuesday 5th February, 2013, to find out more and talk to our students and staff. Contact Kim Wills on 01792 482105 or email kim.wills@smu.ac.uk Or applications can be submitted direct via www.gttr.ac.uk

‘The year long PGCE course taught me more skills and expertise than I could have imagined. As a teacher I can

INTERVIEW WITH DAN LOCKETT PGCE GRADUATE BY KIM WILLS Dan Lockett graduated from PGCE Secondary Physics in 2010 and has since enjoyed a rewarding career as a Physics teacher.

“There are few professions where at the end of the day you can honestly say that ‘today, I have made a difference”.

SMU provided Dan with a structured mix of teaching practice and theoretical studies. “Lectures on a variety of aspects, such as, curriculum changes, new classroom technology and the constantly changing subject content were invaluable to me in my initial years.”

It could be said that Engineering is not the

4

conventional route to becoming a physics teacher but Dan doesn’t understand why. “A large part of teaching is the ability to motivate pupils to learn and what better way to do this than having the background knowledge to apply physics to everyday situations such as a formula one car or a suspension bridge. An engineer is creative by nature and the freedom to create an inspiring lesson and to teach a topic with only the limits of your imagination is unique. Other aspects of a teacher’s role can require the ability to handle large amounts of data or to have a high level of problem solving skills.

Therefore, with the right personality and passion for the subject, an engineer is the perfect choice.”

When Dan was asked what advice he would offer someone considering teaching as a career he stated that even though teaching is hard work, if you’re looking for a

Canolfan Addysg Athrawon De-Orllewin Cymru

The South West Wales Centre of Teacher Education

career that is immensely rewarding, has opportunities to follow any path that interests you whilst having a competitive pay scale, then this is a career path worth considering.

“I would definitely recommend SMU! Their reputation and excellent course delivery speaks for itself. That’s why since my PGCE, I have been working towards completing a Masters Degree in Education at Swansea Met with the aim to graduate later this year. I would not have picked anywhere else to study.”

MET GRADUATE LAUNCHES LIBYA’S FIRST SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN

A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate has returned to his native Libya to introduce the country’s first ever training programme for children with autism.

Fathi Gadalla, from Tobruk, Libya, successfully completed a PhD within the School of Social Sciences at Swansea Met last summer. The topic of his PhD focused on the most effective ways of enhancing social and language skills in children diagnosed with autism.

Libya has never offered any provision or support for autistic children and their families. Using the knowledge he acquired during his study at Swansea Met, Dr Gadalla has now launched the training programme which he designed himself. It is already proving to be very successful in helping the children learn to communicate and interact with others. Previously they received no help at all.

Dr Gadalla said: “I will always be eternally grateful to Swansea Met and, in particular, my supervisor Professor Ann Edworthy. My time in Swansea helped me to develop my knowledge and skills so that I could, in turn, help the children in Libya.”

Despite the instability in Libya, Dr Gadalla returned to the country and within a few months became Head of Psychology at Libya’s second largest higher education institution, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, in Tobruk. Tobruk is a port city on Libya’s eastern Mediterranean coast, bordering Egypt.

AT THE CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY CENTRE

At the Careers and Employability Centre, we are keen to keep in touch with our alumni, not least because employers sometimes contact us about opportunities for graduates.

We do our best to inform everyone who is likely to be interested and we advertise these vacancies on our Careers facebook page. We have recently created a special alumni page for you, so have a look if you’re still job searching. It’s encouraging to know that Swansea Met graduates are well thought of and in demand.

Although the job market is still a difficult one, the good news

is that it is improving with more opportunities than last year. We have some great stories from former students, ranging from some who’ve gone to teach in China to others who have set up their own businesses, while many more have started on the first rungs of a career ladder. If you aren’t working at the moment or you have found employment but it’s not quite what you want, then you could sign up to Let’s Begin. This provides online support for jobseekers, providing advice and information which you can follow in your own time. It also offers support for the first weeks in a new job. Starting a new job, especially if it’s a professional position, can be a

culture shock and it may be daunting if you’re not quite sure what is expected of you, so the Let’s Begin programme can be a great help. We have twenty places available for our graduates, so get in touch if you’d like to find out more.

Remember to register with Go Wales if you are looking for work. This provides paid placements and work tasters which give you a chance to find out what a specific career might really be like. Many students have started their careers with Go Wales placements which led to jobs.

companies to provide employment for people between the ages of nineteen and twenty four and some interesting opportunities have become available.

Whatever you’re doing, we’d love to hear how you’re getting on, whether you graduated last year or many years ago. We know our graduates have interesting stories to tell.

For more information e-mail us at careers@smu.ac.uk or tel. 01792 481706

It may also be useful to find out about Jobs Growth Wales.

This scheme works with

5

INTOUCH

SWANSEA MET AWARD HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS HONORARY FELLOWSHIP FOR LEADING GLASS PRACTITIONER One of the world’s leading glass practitioners, Alexander Beleschenko, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Swansea Met, the institution at which he studied glass over thirty years ago.

Alexander Beleschenko received the honour during Swansea Met’s Graduation Ceremony at the city’s Grand Theatre.

Born in Corby, Northamptonshire, Mr Beleschenko came to Swansea in 1978 to study glass practice at the Swansea School of Art, now the Swansea School of Glass at Swansea Met. Since graduating, he has become an internationally renowned glass practitioner creating largescale architectural glass works for public and private commissions across the world.

Some of his major commissions include the fourteen metre high façade doors of the Herz Jesu Kirche in Munich; the cone wall at Southwark Station; glass screens made for St. John’s College, Oxford; and screens for Trinity Church in Boston, USA. He has twice received the Art from Architecture Award from the Royal Society of Arts, in 1991 and 1993. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

WELSH POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER HONOURED

BY SWANSEA MET An eminent political philosopher, Swansea-born Professor Susan Mendus, has been honoured with an Honorary Fellowship from Swansea Met. Professor Susan Mendus received her Honorary Fellowship at the Grand Theatre with graduating students from the Faculty of Business and Management.

Professor Mendus is a political philosopher who works within the Department of Politics at the University of York. She was born in Swansea in 1951 and educated at Waun Wen Primary School and Mynydd Bach School. She read Classics and Philosophy at Aberystwyth, graduating with First Class Honours in 1973, and became a graduate scholar at Jesus College in Oxford.

6

In 1975, Professor Mendus became a lecturer in philosophy at the University of York and was awarded the title of Professor of Political Philosophy in 1995. She was elected a fellow of the British Academy in 2004 and has been its Vice-President since 2009. Professor Mendus is also a founding member of the Learned Society of Wales.

ALUMNI

WELSH ENGINEER RECOGNISED BY SWANSEA MET Roger Evans MBE, one of Wales’ foremost engineers who has spearheaded the country’s strategic approach to manufacturing, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Swansea Metropolitan.

Swansea Met alumnus Mr Evans is the Plant Director at Schaeffler (UK) in Llanelli, a position he has held since 2001. In recent years he has spearheaded a strategic approach to manufacturing in Wales that has successfully brought back manufacturing from Eastern Europe.

A pupil of Gwendraeth Grammar School between 1965 and 1971, he became a metallurgist at the British Steel Corporation, during which time he studied at West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education (now Swansea Met).

SWANSEA ARTIST BECOMES MET HONORARY FELLOW

Swansea Met has also awarded an Honorary Fellowship to internationally acclaimed artist Nick Holly.

Nick Holly collected his Fellowship at the Grand Theatre with graduating students from the Faculty of Art and Design and School of Social Sciences and Performing Arts.

Nick Holly is regarded as one of Wales’ most accomplished artists and his work is widely sought after. He regularly shows his work in galleries across the UK and some of his paintings have been bought by the National Library of Wales.

As well as his current role at Schaeffler (UK), Mr Evans is Chairman of the Wales Manufacturing Forum and a Member of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Sector Senior Panel. He is Director of the Welsh Automotive Forum and Director of the Wales Management Council.

Mr Evans is also a founder and trustee of the Ray Gravell and Friends Charitable Trust.

He was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his services to the engineering industry in Wales and this year received the Chairman’s Award of the Institute of Directors.

depicted scenes of traditional Welsh life and landscapes, such as the streets of terraced houses similar to those he grew up in at St. Thomas in Swansea. More recently he has started to incorporate people in his paintings, conveying the live of the communities in which he lives.

His paintings move beyond personal memories to encompass images from the last century and his interest in urban landscapes has extended to include scenes from New York. He has regular sell-out solo exhibitions with collectors queuing before the opening to secure specific paintings.

Born in 1968, Mr Holly studied at the Swansea School of Art (now the Faculty of Art and Design at Swansea Met), leaving in 1988. His early work

7

INTOUCH

Work has started on the redevelopment of one of Swansea’s much-loved buildings as Swansea Metropolitan breathes new life into the city centre with the creation of a world-

leading centre of design excellence.

Last year, Swansea Council’s Cabinet agreed to sell the historic former Central Library, on Alexandra Road, to

Swansea Met so it can be revamped into an international Institute of Sustainable Design. Construction and civil engineering company Andrew Scott Ltd have now begun work on the project, towards which Swansea Met is investing nearly £8 million. It will involve the refurbishment and repair of the original building and its architectural features, as well as the creation of extra space and an exhibition area. It is expected to be completed by September 2013.

The former Central Library was opened by British PM William Gladstone in 1887.

Since the facility was transferred to its new seafront

London 2012, at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

The exhibition was a collaboration between the Swansea School of Glass at Swansea Met, the National Waterfront Museum and the British Society of Master Glass Painters.

PLEA TO HELP RECORD WELSH GLASS HERITAGE

8

More announcements will be made about other exciting city-centre projects in the near future.

GLASS EXHIBITION TO COMMEMORATE OLYMPICS All of the sporting action this year maybe east of Swansea but the city hosted a unique exhibition of glass art commemorating the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The exhibition, entitled ‘Games’, was officially opened by Gwyn L. Williams, Creative Programmer for Wales –

Alun Adams, Architectural Glass Centre, Swansea Met in recent years, as part of a research project, has been investigating the presence of ‘stained’ glass in nonconformist places of worship in Wales. His intention is, particularly bearing in mind the rapid closure and loss of so many places of worship, to record as much of the glass as he can while access is still

location in the Civic Centre in 2007, the Victorian building has been home to the University’s sector-leading Swansea School of Glass.

When finished, the University’s School of Industrial Design, which offers programmes in product and automotive design, will also be located in the building. It will become an international centre for research and design focusing on automotive design, sustainable product design and architectural glass.

possible. Windows are an important record of artists, glaziers and, perhaps more importantly, much loved and respected individuals, ministers, and those who lost their lives defending the country in two world wars.

Alun would be most grateful for anyone who can help with this research to get in touch.

If you have views and/or information on stained glass

in nonconformist places of worship in Wales, or can identify possible locations, please contact Alun by telephone on 01792 481084, by email at: chapelglass@smu.ac.uk or by writing to Architectural Glass Centre, Alexandra Road, Swansea SA1 5DU

After receiving over sixty entries, the most impressive thirty-seven panels were chosen to be displayed in the exhibition by a team of four judges from the Swansea School of Glass, the National Museum of Wales, the British Society of Master Glass Painters and the Mission Gallery in Swansea.

TIME AND TEMPERATURE

Many glass alumni will have attended the glass painting workshops with Jonathan Cooke organised by the Architectural Glass Centre and held at the School of Glass. Jonathan's long awaited glass painting manual is due for publication at the end of the year. If you would like to order a copy at a prepublication discounted price of £12.50 + postage for course participants, please contact him direct at enquiries@jonathancooke.org

GLASS STUDENTS DOMINATE PRESTIGIOUS COMPETITION For over 75 years, students from Swansea Met’s School of Glass have dominated the prestigious annual competitions run by The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass, and this year is no different as its students scooped seven of the eleven prizes on offer.

The Stevens Competition for Architectural Glass Design is the only national competition of its kind and attracts over fifty entries from students and young artists from all over the country. This year’s awards recently took place at Glaziers Hall, located on the south side of London Bridge.

The Arthur and Helen Davis Travelling Scholarship was won by second-year glass student Ray Taylor, from Tonbridge. The Scholarship will give Ray an opportunity to develop his study and knowledge of glass through travel. Recent winners have visited the USA, France, Germany, Iceland and the Czech Republic.

The Prize for Best Presentation (The John Corkhill Memorial Prize) went to first-year glass student Christopher Woodley, from Swansea.

He was awarded £250.

Christopher also scooped the £500 second place in the Brian Thomas Memorial Prize while joint-third prize went to the University’s second-year student Fiona Tolson, from London, and 2012 graduate Rhian Goodhand, from Swansea, who both won £175.

Second-year student Nicolette Bromhead, from Sheffield, was commended for her entry and received £75.

These annual competitions demand an imaginative approach to design and workmanship of a high quality. A distinguished panel of practising craftsmen assessed the entries. In recent years the competition has attracted a sponsor who has commissioned work of his or her choice from among the prize-winning entries.

In 2010, Swansea Met’s Welsh Swansea School of Glass celebrated its 75th anniversary. Fittingly, the Stevens Competition has been a strong part of the School’s history, with Swansea students regularly collecting prizes since Howard Martin in 1937, one of the School’s first students and its early pioneer.

ALUMNI

GRADUATE’S GLASS SCHOLARSHIP BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

A Swansea Met graduate has been awarded a £10,000 Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to continue her work in stained glass conservation and heritage management.

Megan Stacey, aged 23 and originally from Neath, graduated from Swansea Met with a degree in architectural glass in 2010. At a recent awards ceremony in London, HRH the Duke of Gloucester presented her with the scholarship from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).

QEST was endowed by the Royal Warrant Holders Association to advance education in modern and traditional crafts and trades in the UK. Scholarships of up to £15,000 are open to men and women of all ages and are awarded twice a year. Since 1991, the Trust has awarded £1.7 million to 253 craftsmen and women aged between 17 and 50+ to develop their skills through study, training and work experience. Eleven awards were made this spring, totalling £125,900.

During her time at Swansea Met, Megan was presented with the prestigious Award for Excellence at the 2010 Stevens Competition for

Architectural Glass Design, the only national competition of its kind and run by The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.

Since graduating she has worked for John Reyntiens at Reyntiens Glass Studio and helped make a stained glass window for Westminster Hall as a Diamond Jubilee gift to HM The Queen from both Houses of Parliament. She is also completing an MA course in stained glass conservation and heritage management in York.

Winning a QEST Scholarship will give Megan the opportunity to study heritage management and business administration modules, enabling her to set up her own studio.

Megan said: “Considerable research has been done into paint loss of medieval glass and Victorian glass. I intend to focus my dissertation upon less researched issues of conservation specific to stained glass of the 16th to 18th centuries suffering from enamel and paint loss. This should provide conservators with a better understanding of the causes and enable improved treatment for such glass.”

copyright image: Rhian Goodhand

9

INTOUCH

MET GRADUATE CROWNED WELSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR A Swansea Met graduate has been crowned the 2012 Welsh Artist of the year.

Gemma Copp, aged thirty from Swansea, had been chosen for the accolade.

The Welsh Artist of the Year competition was founded during the millennium year to acknowledge the wealth of artistic ability in Wales. The competition is now in its twelfth year and is organised

by St David’s Hall, in Cardiff. It showcases some of the most innovative and talented Welshborn artists working throughout the UK, and artists currently working or living in Wales.

Gemma’s video entry, entitled ‘Rising Tides’, was filmed on Swansea Bay and depicts her sitting in a boat waiting for the tide to take her away.

During a ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Nicola HaywoodThomas, it was announced that Swansea Met fine art graduate (degree in 2006 and Masters degree in 2010)

She said: ''I'm delighted and honoured to have won this year's Welsh Artist of the Year competition and it's fantastic to be showing alongside so many talented artists in this year's show. The work itself took a while to produce given the volatility of nature's elements so it's great that my work has been appreciated in

this way. I've received significant support from the local art community throughout my education and career, and particular support has come from the local galleries and studios including The Glynn Vivian, Elysium Gallery, Mission Gallery and Swansea studios.

Howard Riley, the late Susan Griffith and many others have helped me significantly over the years."

“I also owe a great deal to those who helped me at Swansea Met. The support offered to me by the lecturers has been instrumental in my development and I am very grateful to them for that. Dr Robert Newell, Dr Paul Jeff, Peter Finnemore, Tim Davies, Craig Wood, Dr Anne Price-Owen,

Gemma was not the only Swansea Met graduate to receive an award at the high profile event. 2011 surface pattern graduate Laura Edmunds, aged twenty-two from Cardiff, won the drawing prize.

This is not the first time that Gemma has won an award in the competition having received the video prize in 2010.

Her entry was an abstract pencil drawing exploring decay, drawing from bodily remnants such as human teeth and hair.

SWANSEA MET INTERNATIONAL ARTIST TEAMS UP WITH WELSH DESIGN DUO Prominent artist and Swansea Met fine art lecturer, Sue Williams, teamed up with awardwinning Welsh design duo Freshwest recently at the London Design Festival.

Pembrokeshire-based Freshwest, which is made up of artists Marcus Beck and Simon Macro, showcased their new work produced throughout 2012. Their work is said to demonstrate their sophisticated, experimental and playful touch.

One of Freshwest’s collaborations was with internationally renowned artist Sue Williams. Called ‘Touch Me Cupboard’, the exhibit is a striking free-standing

10

cupboard described as a sculptural combination of furniture and painting.

Photo Touch Me Cupboard Marcus Beck said: “Cupboards can be provocative, loaded objects that have been used as metaphors by writers and artists for centuries. We wanted to draw upon this and create an object that celebrates the symbolism of a cupboard.”

Freshwest produced a subtle plaster-like surface for Sue Williams to introduce her figurative ink paintings.

Simon Macro said: “Sue’s work has a powerful and sometimes disturbing quality

that is very alluring. Our aim was to produce something that goes beyond surface pattern, creating a piece of furniture that has the presence and depth of a canvas on a gallery wall.”

Sue is a lecturer in Swansea Met’s School of Fine Art, which recently received high praise from a senior UK academic. Craig Richardson, Professor of Fine Art at Northumbria University, described the School as ‘full of gems, taught by renowned artists working at the height of their abilities, promoting and supporting a diversity of cutting-edge practices’.

ALUMNI

SCHOOL PUPILS EXHIBIT THEIR ART AT SWANSEA MET An exhibition of artistic work by primary and secondary school pupils from the Swansea Bay and Carmarthenshire regions was held at Swansea Met’s Dynevor Centre for Art, Design and Media.

The exhibition was the culmination of Arts in Action, a project which sees Swansea Met students pass their skills on to local primary and secondary school pupils from across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire.

Higher Education and the South West Wales Reaching Wider Partnership.

Project Co-ordinator, Jenny Vobe-Tancock, said: “Arts in Action is an artist in residence programme that benefits everyone involved. For our students this is often the first

time that they have carried out paid work within their various disciplines in the wider community, sharing their expertise within a supported framework. For the schools the scheme provides their teachers and pupils with the opportunity of working with a practicing artist, designer or

performer, developing skills, techniques and conceptual thinking. For the University it is an ideal opportunity to foster relationships and raise awareness of higher education.

Arts in Action is a partnership between Swansea Met; the City and County of Swansea Education Effectiveness Service; Neath Port Talbot Cultural Services; Reaching Wider; various artists and fifteen local Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire primary and secondary schools. It is funded through the Higher Education funding Council for Wales’ Widening Access to

STUDENT CONSERVATION SOCIETY GETS A ‘TIDY’ BOOST A bid by Swansea Met’s (SM) Conservation Society to improve the local environment has been given a boost thanks to a cash injection by environmental organisation Keep Wales Tidy.

Through the Tidy Towns Project, Keep Wales Tidy is able to offer financial assistance to community groups who have demonstrated a commitment to restoring their communities to their former glory.

Last September the sixtystrong group of students, who make up the SM Conservation Society, decided to engage in regular litter-picking sessions on Swansea Bay. Society

organisers were made aware of the potential funding and submitted what would become a successful bid. The funds will help cover the costs of insurance, tools, equipment, publicity and training.

Keep Wales Tidy-appointed Tidy Towns Officers who are on hand across Wales to offer help and advice on forming groups, holding events and applying for grants. The

officers are funded via the Welsh Government’s Tidy Town’s project.

The cash support has been made possible by funding from the Welsh Government Local Environmental Quality Fund.

Additional support for communities is also offered by

11

INTOUCH

MET GRADUATE’S BOOK DEAL FOR CHILDREN’S FANTASY STORIES after signing a five-book deal to write a series of children’s fantasy stories.

Rich Pitman, aged thirty-one from Caldicot, graduated from Swansea Met with a degree in recreation management in 2001. He is also a qualified teacher and currently works as a sergeant for Gloucestershire Police.

A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate hopes to emulate the success of J.K. Rowling

Last year, Rich came up with an idea for a children’s fantasy series based around a character called Jimmy Threepwood. The first book of five, entitled ‘Jimmy

Threepwood and the Veil of Darkness’, follows the perilous story of an eleven-year-old boy taken to a world of magic and evil and trained to one day fulfil his destiny and destroy the world.

The Jimmy Threepwood series has secured Rich a five-book deal with Plymouth-based company Ghost Publishing.

The next instalment, ‘Jimmy Threepwood and the Elixir of Light’, is already in development.

writing as a hobby but my family were surprised when they read the draft copy. In the short term I want children to enjoy and become immersed in the story. I am hoping that my story will inspire people to have a go at writing and stretch their imaginations to their limits. “In the long term I hope that the five stories have an impact on people’s lives in the way Harry Potter did. I hope these stories continue the good work of J.K. Rowling and introduce reading to the next generation of children.”

Rich said: “It all happened very quickly. I’ve always enjoyed

SWANSEA MET GRADUATE DRIVES FORWARD UGANDAN ANIMATION INDUSTRY David Masanso, thirty-nine years old and from the Ugandan capital city Kampala, graduated with a degree in 3D computer animation from Swansea Met’s School of Digital Media in 2007.

In late 2009, David started his own multimedia company, based in Kampala, called Crossroads Digital Media Ltd, which incorporates Uganda’s first ever animation studio. The award-winning business, which now employs a large number of Ugandan people, deals in a cross-section of multimedia productions but specialises in 3D computer animation.

A Swansea Metropolitan graduate who launched Uganda’s first animation studio is to use his expertise to combat the lack of animation and multimedia skills in the east African country.

12

Due to the lack of 3D computer animation and multimedia skills in Uganda, Crossroads set up a training centre in March of this year.

This venture has been an enormous success and the country’s biggest higher education institution, Makerere University, has supported fifteen students to undertake internship training at the centre.

GETTING ENGAGED

ALUMNI

By Lucy Beddall (Community Engagement Coordinator at Swansea Met and Performing Arts graduate 2011) Swansea Metropolitan University differs from many other higher education establishments in that it recognises the value and importance of encouraging students to engage with the community. This enriches the learning experience and allows them to consider alternative applications of their chosen subject area. It also facilitates collaborations with different subject areas and creates new

relationships and contacts.

Working with community groups gives the students the chance to work in a safe environment and gain access to the knowledge and training that these groups have at their disposal. With a community group benefiting from our students and resource, it’s a win-win situation.

Swansea Met was recently awarded £232,375 by Arts Council of Wales (ESF money through Welsh Government).

Project Olion was set up and uses drama, dance, film and visual arts to engage young people who are at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). This has created a wide array of art based projects and included successful collaborations with TAN Dance, Theatr Fform

Cymru, Oyster Education and Swansea YMCA. All of these involve our students and graduates, providing valuable work experience and opportunities. The project culminated in The Olion Youth Arts Festival in September with students and graduates running workshops and working as stewards, stage managers and event managers.

For some of our students, the community projects they work on at Swansea Met leads to paid employment. The application of their studies to real-life projects allows them to gain relevant experience

that future employers find attractive. Leaving University with both a Degree and a CV with valuable work credits on it, makes them stand out in a saturated graduate job market.

In 2011 we set up the CARES network to document much of our work. In 2013 we hope to widen the scope of what we do to involve more students and a wider mix of subject areas. For further information please email lucy.beddall@smu.ac.uk and look at www.smu.ac.uk/cares Julia Kelleher and Lucy Beddall

copyright @ Tyler George Photography

Crossroads Digital Media Ltd has already worked for some of Uganda’s biggest organisations, as well as for clients in South Sudan and Rwanda. They have recently completed some awardwinning projects with the Uganda Revenue Authority (the country’s tax body), as well as the nation’s second biggest brewery, Nile Breweries Uganda Limited.

They also created an animated advertising campaign for the NRM Uganda political organisation in preparation for the country’s 2011 presidential elections.

This year, Crossroads scooped the Best Animation Film Award at the Pearl International Film Festival.

David said: “My time with the School of Digital Media was great and has been vital in my subsequent success.”

13

ALUMNI

INTOUCH

MOTORSPORT STUDENTS JOIN INDUSTRY ELITE AT HOUSE OF LORDS

Motorsport students from Swansea Met, one of the UK’s leading educators for the motorsport industry, were chosen to act as

ambassadors for the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) at this year’s House of Lords Summer Reception.

The event is the most prestigious networking reception of the year for MIA members and their guests. It was hosted by Rt.Hon The Lord Drayson of Kensington, President of the MIA, and took place recently in the River Terrace Marquee and Cholmondeley Room alongside the River Thames, within the House of Lords in Westminster.

Carly Latcham, motorsport management student, said: “It was an amazing experience to attend the event alongside some of the sport’s most prestigious people. “It was fantastic for the MIA to give us the opportunity to help and be recognised by industry leaders. Hopefully this will help us in the future when we are looking for careers.”

Eight students attended the prestigious event on behalf of the MIA, the world's leading trade association for the motorsport, performance engineering, services and tuning sectors. They included: Carly Latcham; Jack Davies; Rob Draper; Rachel Hogg; Gemma Mollaghan; Kirsty Young; Jessica Russ; Donna Maplesden.

MOTORSPORT STAR PLATO TO MENTOR SWANSEA MET STUDENT

A Swansea Met student has been chosen by a motorsport star to be the first person to join a prestigious motorsport academy bursary programme.

Second-year motorcycle engineering student Jack Groves, aged twenty-three from Swindon, is the first rider to be selected for the inaugural year of the prestigious ‘KX Akademy’, a scheme established to support a group of talented young racers from both two and four wheel championships in the UK. Double touring car champion Jason Plato has been a driving force behind the development of the programme that is funded by KX Energy drink.

KX Energy currently sponsor Plato’s MG KX Momentum Racing team in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car

14

Championship. He now takes on the role of Jack’s mentor.

Jack will be contesting the remainder of the highly competitive National Superstock 600 Championship at British Superbike (BSB). He has already shown great spirit as stand-in rider for an established BSB Superstock team which has given him valuable experience and kept him race-ready. He now joins Wiltshire-based Gearlink Kawasaki for the final four UK BSB race meetings.

Jason Plato said: “Jack has a great attitude when it comes to seizing those opportunities that are so rare these days.

I’m looking forward to helping Jack get on the road to what could be a great career.”

Photo Jack Groves

SWANSEA MET MBA ALUMNI NETWORK

From January 2013, Swansea Business School and the School of Public Services Leadership will have a new home – the newly refurbished building right at the heart of the city centre, and ideally placed next to Swansea’s train station will provide improved student facilities and a dedicated library and study space for our growing Faculty.

The MBA Alumni Association is the brainchild of Steve Griffiths. Countless graduates have passed through the University or its outreach centre in Hameenlinna, Finland.

Many keep in touch and we know that their careers have benefited greatly from their studies as they hold senior positions in management and leadership in private, public and third sectors across the world.

We can’t wait to welcome students new and existing to our new home, and are looking forward to settling in to what should be a fantastic base for the Faculty of Business and Management at the centre of Swansea’s business district.

For more on the move see: www.smu.ac.uk/ businessmove

SWANSEA MBA ALUMNI COMMITTEE

The first meeting of the Swansea Branch met to discuss future arrangements in September 2012.

Volunteers pictured are back, L-R, Steve Griffiths (Assistant Dean Faculty of Business and

Management),Tony Clement (2012), Garan Pieniazek (2007), Dr Maggie Inman (Director of the Centre for Post Graduate Studies), front L-R, Edward Yi He (2012), Trevor Walton (2005) & Berna Jones (2010). Owen

Lewis and Yoko Arioshi gave their apologies but fed their suggestions in by email.

Several options were discussed, which will be posted to members. The committee actually has not been finally formed, so if you want to volunteer, the next meeting will be in January 2013. Get in touch!

As well as events in other countries, there will be a Management Research Conference on 20 June 2013 at 6pm in the new Ty Bryn Glas Campus of Swansea Business School, adjacent to Swansea rail station.

Graduating and past MBA friends are welcome to present any research they have been working on or want to suggest to future students at this meeting.

Swansea Business School’s MBA Alumni Association, in conjunction with the University’s main alumni Association is a way for us all to keep in touch, share ideas and experiences and generally enjoy fellowship.

To help organize the MBA Alumni Association we need to create organizing committees. We need volunteers to suggest events or opportunities for networking which will be meaningful to our graduates. There has already been a management workshop in Finland and planned events in the future.

Perhaps we need other country based committees, China, Oman, Libya, to name just some of the catchment countries of MBA classes? So why not volunteer to be a committee member?

Contact us at mbaalumni@smu.ac.uk to express your interest.

15

MASTERING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

ALUMNI

INTOUCH

Swansea Business School is proud to be launching two new Master’s programmes in Financial Management and Financial Management (Learning and Development). These programmes are designed to help both experienced financial managers and those developing their career in the field to respond to rapid changes in

this challenging area of business. Today’s business managers need to be able to interpret financial information and use it to guide business strategy.

The MSc in Financial Management recognizes the need to broaden traditional accountancy education and to include a much broader business footprint. The

programme is designed to fit comfortably within the new accounting educational framework incorporating academic rigour with practical experience. It would also provide a route for qualified accountants and finance professionals to obtain a Master’s degree. Qualified chartered accountants are likely to only have to complete the part 2 dissertation stage,

as their professional qualification such as ACCA or CIMA should exempt them from the part 1 modules.

For more information please contact the admissions tutor for the programme, Richard Dunstan: richard.dunstan@smu.ac.uk or apply online at www.smu.ac.uk

SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN: FASHION OBJECT (NEW PATHWAY)

Swansea Met has a new pathway on surface pattern.

It’s called Fashion Object.

The Fashion Object pathway aims to produce designers who can create cutting-edge wearable objects to influence the way we look and feel, and

who will have a dynamic impact on the fashion world.

Through workshops, talks, seminars, visits and live projects you will develop a sound understanding of how to meet the specific needs of the fashion industry. Emphasis is placed on innovation with materials, techniques and application, supported by highly experienced tutors.

The course is a dynamic hybrid of fashion design, fine detailing and styling to create unique three dimensional wearable pieces or fashion ‘objects’. This attention to detailing and

embellishment within a fashion context will allow students to design, make and style one off garments/sculptures, fashion jewellery and accessories.

This is not a traditional fashion design degree. We will not be focusing on creating collections of clothing as such, the focus will be on the term ‘fashion object’ with an awareness of pattern cutting and garment construction in order to achieve this. An overall awareness of the entire fashion industry in terms of technique and business will be taught but the focus will be particularly niche. Students will be free to explore their own personal creative vision and individual style to interpret the term ‘fashion object’.

For further details please contact: Anna Lewis, ACT Project Manager 01792 481245 or Email anna.lewis@smu.ac.uk

GRADUATE ACHIEVEMENTS One of our graduates from surface pattern has set up her own label recently. You can see more of her work online at: http://graceironside.blogspot.co.uk

One of our latest graduate’s Alicja Sobczak has been given an apprenticeship with Jimmy Choo, you can contact her via her website also… http://www.alicjasobczak. com Image copy right© Alicja Sobczak

DID YOU COMPLETE A COURSE AT SWANSEA MET IN 2012?

ANNUAL DESTINATION OF LEAVERS SURVEY (DLHE) The Destination Survey is undertaken by the Swansea Metropolitan University Careers Service on behalf of the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA). Every year leavers from UK higher education institutions are contacted to find out what they are doing six months after graduation, whether they are in employment, continuing their education etc. We would be really grateful if you would complete your questionnaire and return it as soon as possible please.

WORLD-LEADING DESIGN CENTRE SECURES PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING The Institute for Sustainable Design (ISD) has secured private-sector funding of over £40k along with European funding of £160k to offer businesses access to a high-end commercial CAD suite at their base at Swansea Met. NTCadCam, a major software supplier, has agreed to supply over £40k worth of matchfunding to the ISD initiative, allowing the centre to become the first of its kind in Wales to offer qualifying businesses free access to the latest Solidworks 3D CAD software.

ISD is a multi-million pound project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, to encourage SMEs and individuals to build sustainable, design-led businesses focusing on three priority sectors; energy and the environment; life sciences; and advanced materials and manufacturing.

The centre offers Welsh businesses the opportunity to learn more about the latest technologies available and how these could benefit

companies to increase profitability, lower production costs and improve service offering. To complement the opening of the CAD suite, ISD is offering a series of free workshops on 3D Modelling, 3D Simulation and 3D Printing, along with a host of other workshops geared at the needs of small business within the area. Based at Swansea Met’s Mount Pleasant campus, the CAD workshops will be delivered by experienced technical officers and will cover the basics of the software, along with a chance to try out the software.

For more information about ISD or to see a list of the scheduled workshops visit www.isdwales.com For more information about NTCadCam visit www.ntcadcam.co.uk

ABOUT SWBR The South Wales Business Review is the business magazine of Swansea Business School. Subscribe for quarterly news, views and updates on the issues facing businesses in South Wales today.

Contact Us If you’d like to subscribe to receive a regular copy of the South Wales Business Review and email updates on news and events at Swansea Business School you can email us at: swbr@smu.ac.uk

16

17

MET METALLERS SIGN UP FOR NEW ALBUM

ALUMNI

INTOUCH

A GOLDEN REUNION:

Those attending the Golden Reunion on 21st September 2012 being students who attended Swansea Teachers’ Training College 1962-1965

South Wales Heavy Metal band Triaxis, which includes two Swansea Metropolitan University graduates, has been signed by independent record label Rocksector Records.

Triaxis’ vocalist Krissie Kirby, from Port Talbot, graduated from Swansea Met in 2004 with a degree in English Studies and has since worked at the institution, currently as a Management Information Officer. Guitarist CJ Hale, originally from Reading, graduated from the University in 2007 with a degree in Multimedia. They are joined in the band by Giles Wilson on drums, Owen Crawford on bass and Glyn Williams on guitar.

18

In addition to signing with Rocksector Records, Triaxis have announced a brand new album for release on Monday 8th October. Entitled ‘Rage & Retribution’, it will be the band’s second album following on from their 2009 self-release ‘Key to the Kingdom’.

Formed in 2006, Triaxis developed steadily until their first album was released to critical acclaim. The genre’s leading publication Metal Hammer described it as ‘a confident and charismatic debut which pays homage to the gleaming tradition of Maiden, Priest and Megadeath’.

The band did not rush to release a second album and ‘Rage & Retribution’ is said to demonstrate a clear step forward in composition, production and musicianship.

CJ Hale said: “This album represents eighteen months of hard work and passion for our music, and we're immensely proud of the result. We believe people will be pleasantly surprised. It demonstrates a technical and heavier side to our music, without straying from the style familiar to our fans. From a production point of view, James Stephenson has done an incredible job.

We can't wait to get the album out there and ultimately get back out on the road."

In the live arena, Triaxis recently played the SOS Festival in North Manchester and Bloodstock Open Air. Looking ahead to 2013, the band will be playing Wizzfest in Aalter, Belgium, on Saturday 23rd March. Further tour dates will be announced in the near future.

For more information about Triaxis visit www.triaxis.info

Tour Dates:

Feb 16 2013, Hog n Hosper, Pontypool March 14 2013 Hammerfest 5, Hafan-y-Mor, North Wales March 23 2013, Wizz Fest, Aalter, Belgium August 24 2013, SCARfest, Stoke on Trent

FROM SWANSEA TEACHERS’ TRAINING COLLEGE (1962-65) TO SWANSEA MET (2012) In September 1962, at the start of the new academic term, there must have been between 90-100 new students arriving to embark on their course of training to become teachers. On 21st September 2012, 34 of them arrived for a reunion to commemorate that day 50 years before.

Inevitably, at such a gathering much time is spent reflecting on those three years 19621965; memories are often deceptive but we are fortunate to have archive material relating to that time which a few colleagues managed to retain.

The reunion was memorable.

It was marvellous to meet up with so many old friends from those far off days and catch up on news. It was remarkable that 34 people turned up to celebrate that 50 year anniversary – a reminder that there was something quite special about being in college at that time and with that group. There was some sense of cultural change in the air which we were lucky enough to encounter and share.

We were all extremely grateful to Elizabeth Madge and her friends for making the necessary arrangements and to Swansea Met for making

the event so special. We once again enjoyed an excellent meal and wonderful company.

One of our eagle-eyed number even noticed that his spoon was stamped STC (Swansea Training College); another link in the chain of memories. It was fascinating on the guided tour of those corridors to see the changes that have occurred and hover outside rooms we once knew so well.

We thank, too, those who provided reminiscences, access to archive material and photographic records, reminding us of how young and fortunate we once were.

(The above is an extract from an article by Paul Selfe, for a copy of the full article please contact the Alumni Office on alumni@smu.ac.uk)

19

WHERE ARE YOU NOW ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI

INTOUCH

Leah Collett & Gareth Chambers

Two Swansea Met graduates have secured places to study postgraduate qualifications at two of the world's most prominent performance institutions.

Leah Collett was one of only thirty successful candidates chosen from almost 5000 international applications for the MA Music Theatre programme at the Royal Academy of Music.

Gareth Chambers is pursuing his passion for dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where he is studying on the MA Dance Theatre programme. Gareth says: “I'm loving it and I'm collaborating with some really cool performers and choreographers. I'm going on placement to Berlin for 2 weeks in December which will be a really good opportunity. “

Darren Evans

Swansea Met performing arts graduate Darren Evans (graduated 2010) has performed next to screen and stage icon Sian Phillips in the latest National Theatre Wales production, Little Dogs. The show, which is based on the Dylan Thomas short story Just Like Little Dogs, was produced in conjunction with Frantic Assembly and National Theatre Wales.

Darren's career has gone from strength to strength with a popular appearance as the character Dewi in BBC's Being Human to his film parts in Submarine and Hunky Dory.

'Little Dogs' also had other Swansea Met students and graduates working on it, including graduates Donna Males and Brent Morgan as well as a current student Rory Day, who was front of house for the show.

“I wanted to concentrate on making sure I got some qualifications and skills that would set me up for the future – not just a narrow training that would prepare me for acting only.

Swansea Met’s course has done just that.”

Cassandra Broom

Cassandra Broom graduated in summer 2012 has gained a contract with National Theatre Wales to work on the production of ‘CORIOLAN/US’ which is being created in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company as part of the World Shakespeare festival 2012. Since then she has been retained by National Theatre Wales as Deputy Stage Manager for their new show, Branches: The Nature Of Crisis, the final event of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Rachel Walsh & Owain Roach

“Owain and I just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know of some current projects we are undertaking. We recently gained a place on National Theatre Wales "WalesLab" with our project “Norman & Judith”. We are currently locked away in a lovely old post office in Castlemartin for our research and development week.

Alongside this I will be directing a short, new writing piece with Emptypocket theatre company this December. Owain will be acting in it.

We are also both currently studying clowning with Denni Dennis at No Fit State. We have been asked to join Denni's clown troupe in the new year, which is rather exciting!

Owain has set up a T.I.E company in West Wales, running storytelling and forum theatre sessions with children.

All the best, Rachel” (Rachel Walsh & Owain Roach graduated 2008)

Kayleigh Hammond

Kayleigh Hammond graduated in 2010.

She reports back on her progress: “...well I found an audition for overseas teachers for a theatre school called Razzamataz. I was sent out to the Costa Del Sol for 8 weeks working in a 4 Star all inclusive hotel. Myself and one other person taught singing, acting and dancing to children aged 4 – 16.

We put on 2 shows a week with only 3 days’ rehearsal each! It was a brilliant experience!!!

Then I found this course at Northern Film School in Leeds, went to the open day and found I wanted to do a course which wasn’t yet available, so I joined the existing course and created my own route through it including: film making, performing arts and performance works. I will be involved in experimental theatre/ film, directing, creative writing and producing.

It was very exciting at Swansea Met and it has spurred me on to explore my abilities further.

It’s all very Exciting!!!!!!

Ronnie Bradford

Ronnie Bradford graduated in 2011 with a specialist interest in Applied Drama. Having worked for a variety of local government youth engagement programmes she opened ‘Media Academy Drama’ in Cardiff, for 6-11 and 12-16 year olds. Her new enterprise draws heavily on the philosophy established in Swansea Met’s Applied Drama programme.

Firstly, it is completely free of charge to attend, unlike most other drama clubs/theatre groups. Ronnie says: “Through drama I aim to help children gain skills in team building, acting, character development, physical development, communication and improvisation. It will also help build confidence, self esteem, concentration, self discipline, imagination and creativity. It is perfect for children who have an interest in drama or who just want to make friends and have fun.

We welcome and accommodate all abilities.”

Matthew Harries

Aimee Dewitt

As a youngster, Aimee Dewitt had always been interested in Drama and had attended a local drama centre and performed in amateur shows in Swansea. She had taken some ‘supporting artist’ roles on television prior to her Swansea Met. acceptance. Graduating in 2009 Aimee went on to do some small acting parts and then did 2 weeks work experience at Town & Country Broadcasting. “That led to me being ‘Producer Aimee’ on the Saturday breakfast show which I then went on to co-present.

20

From there I decided to move to Cardiff and do an MA in Multiplatform Radio at University of Glamorgan.

I’m chuffed with my new job here at ‘Real Radio’, (I’m currently ‘Sponsorship, Promotions and Digital Co-Ordinator’). They are a great company to work for, everyone is lovely and there is lots of scope to progress so fingers crossed!”

Matthew Harries worked with Eddie Ladd on this year’s ‘Unknown Pleasures’ project and was selected by to participate in the astonishing ‘Bodies In Urban Spaces’ project which took place in Swansea in June this year.

Since graduating Matt has been busy, working with Eddie on the development of her new project before setting off to London for a Musical Theatre audition.

Helen Forth

Helen Forth studied Technical Theatre and graduated with a Performing Arts Degree in 2011.

Throughout her time at the Met she worked on a number of community projects including TAN Dance’s Intergenerational project where she helped with the lighting, set and costume. Helen took part in ‘Arts in Action’ in both 2010 and 2011 taking technical theatre projects to schools as well as helping with the annual Barnardo’s Cymru pantomime in Townhill Theatre. Since graduating she has worked with Cilgwyn Theatre Company as a Production Intern, worked in a costume shop, then worked at Baglan Youth Forum as an Activity Worker. She has just started a full time job at Swansea YMCA as a Youth Worker. Helen says, “During my time at SMU, I worked on as many external projects as I could.

It was through the experience gained working with Arts in Action, Barnardo’s Cymru and TAN Dance that I was offered the job at Baglan Youth Forum. During my three months there I gained more experience with young people and secured this job at the YMCA. The course at the Met gave me the confidence and skills to follow my career path and I’m so pleased to be offered a job at the end of it.”

Stephanie Taylor

Stephanie Taylor joined the third year of our Performing Arts course after completing her HND Performing Arts at Vision, West Nottinghamshire College, wishing to concentrate on performance technique. The highlight of her year was being selected for the Unknown Pleasures Series -2009, Walk the Dead Dog, directed by Mr & Mrs Clark. After graduating she took her PGCE, intending this to be a back up for her performance work, but after successfully completing the course she delivered a creative writing course at HMP Swansea and then gained employment at Gower College Swansea, where she taught on the BTEC National Extended Diploma and the Creative Industries courses.

“I didn’t stop there, though. I started my Master's degree in Professional Development in Education & Training at the Met. Through my studies on the Masters programme, I had been in talks with a professor in Cardiff regarding a trip to China.

Originally I would join a programme to teach English, but from the experience and employment under my belt, I was offered a fully fledged job as an English Language Lecturer in Wuhan, China. I jumped at the chance. Remember, literally anything is possible - at 24 I have achieved quite a lot and that’s all from effort and hard work.”

You can follow Steph on her new website which tracks her research and experience in China at www.taylorartseducation.weebly.com.

21

INTOUCH

GRADUATION 2012

SUMMER CEREMONY VIDEO CLIPS CAN BE FOUND ON THE ALUMNI WEBSITE

www.smu.ac.uk/alumni

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN THEATRE CLUB The Swansea Metropolitan University Theatre Club is a special service to help book tickets to London theatre - and save money.

Westendtheatre.com is one of the UK's premiere websites for booking London theatre tickets and has large allocations of tickets to premium shows, and discounts and special offers to a wealth of West End musicals and plays.

Westendtheatre.com has set up a special Theatre Club for Swansea Metropolitan University Alumni - www.westendtheatre.com/smu - that brings together their latest offers and discounts on West End shows, plus special theatre and dinner packages and hotel and theatre breaks.

For more information and to book please visit the Swansea Metropolitan University Theatre Club at www.westendtheatre.com/smu Check out the discounts for all Alumni on the Alumni Website under Benefits/Discounts!

A call to all Alumni please update your contact details/ email address by emailing the Alumni Office at: alumni@smu.ac.uk or accessing the Alumni website www.smu.ac.uk/alumni

MEMORABILIA Swansea Metropolitan Memorabilia can be purchased via the Ede and Ravenscroft Website

www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk 22

LETTER BOX SERVICE

ALUMNI

If you have lost touch with an old friend from the University we may be able to help reunite you.

We will try our best to put you in touch with other graduates with whom you have lost contact. Just forward your request to the Alumni Office with as many details as possible (eg name, (maiden name if appropriate) subject studied, graduation year) Alternatively you can email us with your message asking for it to be forwarded. If we do not have a current contact address we will let you know.

All information held is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and therefore personal information cannot be released without consent.

REUNION The Alumni Office is happy to help with arrangements for Reunions. We can assist with the mailings of any lost contacts, help with the venue, catering etc. Out of term overnight accommodation can also be arranged at discount prices.

If you are planning a Reunion get in touch and we will give you all the support we can. We hope that all Swansea Metropolitan University graduates will remain interested and involved in the long term development of the University.

We welcome members’ suggestions for new services and activities. We would also like to hear from you with your news, achievements and reminiscences.

If you have a ‘good story’ to tell please let us know.

23

As a member of the Alumni Organisation you will be able to use the following facilities and services free of charge: Use the University Libraries for reference purposes.

Use the Townhill Fitness Centre – so long as we have space!

Have continuing Careers advice, find out about job opportunities throughout Wales and the rest of the UK, and use the Careers ICT Service.

Get the latest information about University Bursaries and Scholarships Use our student accommodation, when available at low, low rates.

Use the University’s conference, catering and other facilities for your events at reduced rates.

Gain the latest information about business incentives in South West Wales Take advantage of Alumni Discounts under the Benefits Section on the Alumni Website:

www.smu.ac.uk/alumni CONTACT: Julie Reed, Alumni Officer SWANSEA METROPOLITAN (UWTSD) Tel/Fax: 01792 481217 E-mail: alumni@smu.ac.uk