G R AD U ATION
WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU AND HOPE YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN PART OF OUR INCREDIBLE USW FAMILY.
Dr Ben Calvert, Vice-Chancellor
WELCOME
On behalf of the University of South Wales, it is with tremendous pleasure that I welcome all of our USW graduates here today.
Graduating is a key milestone in your life – many of you will have moved away from home for the first time and learnt to live independently, some of you may be the first person in your family to graduate, like I was, or, for others, you may have returned to study to further your knowledge and skills. I hope you all enjoy this special moment of recognition and have a truly memorable day.
I trust that your time at the University has broadened your horizons, opened up pathways to exciting and challenging career opportunities, and imbued you with a spirit of inquiry and a desire for lifelong learning.
Today is also a special day for your friends and families who have supported you in your studies, and we extend a warm welcome to them. Their sense of pride is equally shared by our staff who have taught, encouraged, and guided you on your academic journey. Graduations are always the highlight of our academic year and we are pleased to be with you to celebrate.
As we look to the future, we hope that you will go on to be ambassadors for the University and all that we are trying to achieve. Stay connected, tell us about the next stages of your journey, and join our valued alumni community. Remember you will always be part of our incredible USW family.
I wish you all the very best of luck in your future endeavours: be bold, imaginative, and, most importantly, be an inspiration for your contemporaries by making things happen.
Vice-Chancellor
OUR HISTORY
180 YEARS OF HISTORY
The University of South Wales was established in 2013 following the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport. They have a rich and varied history, and can trace their roots back more than 180 years.
The Newport Mechanics Institute was established to provide further education for workers and tradesmen.
The college became a polytechnic, offering higher diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The College Merthyr Tydfil became part of the University of Glamorgan.
The Newport Technical Institute opened, known locally as the ‘School of Art’.
Caerleon College of Education, Newport College of Art and Design and Gwent College of Technology merged to form the Gwent College of Higher Education.
The University of Glamorgan opened its ATRiuM building in Cardiff, offering a dedicated learning facility for creative industries students.
A £15m development to USW Sport Park was unveiled, including the first full-size indoor 3G football pitch at a Welsh university.
USW was formed following a merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport.
Industrial leaders formed the South Wales and Monmouthshire School of Mines, which was later renamed the School of Mines and Technology.
The Polytechnic of Wales in Treforest achieved university status and became the University of Glamorgan.
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama became a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Glamorgan.
The School of Mines and Technology became Glamorgan Technical College, reflecting its expanding portfolio.
The Gwent College of Higher Education was admitted into the University of Wales as the University of Wales College, Newport.
The Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute was launched as a partnership between the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport.
The University of Wales College, Newport secured Privy Council Approval to use the title University of Wales, Newport.
The Newport Campus opened, housing students from Newport Business School and much of the School of Media and Design.
Caerleon Training College opened to train male students as teachers.
ABOUT THE CEREMONY
THE MACE
Deriving from a weapon used as a symbol of authority, the ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, carried by a mace-bearer. It represents the status of a sovereign or a major institution in a civic ceremony, or in the conduct of legislative or executive business. In the academic context, it is a symbol of the University’s authority to award degrees and convene major events such as today’s ceremony.
The mace was designed especially for the University of South Wales by lecturer and awardwinning artist Jeremy Spencer, and manufactured with a team of engineers and apprentices at GE Aviation Wales, supported by local specialist manufacturing companies. It was presented for the first time for the Installation of our Chancellor, and brings together modern design and materials with the tradition of the academic mace.
THE UNIVERSITY CREST
The University of South Wales crest reflects closely the University’s past and its future. The design is called the Achievement of Arms, the most important of which is the shield. In heraldry, the surface of a shield is known as the field, which is green to represent both the location of the University and the environmental disciplines studied here.
Above the shield is the helm, which is associated with corporate bodies. On top of the helm, within the torse of twisted silk silver and green, is the crest. The crest features the Welsh dragon with outstretched wings holding a gold computer ferrite memory store matrix, representing the technological aspects of the University and the marriage of old and new. Supporting the shield are two dragons reflecting Wales and the international nature of the University.
ACADEMIC DRESS
You will see a variety of academic dress in today’s ceremony. The academic dress of the University of South Wales follows traditions established in the Middle Ages, when the original universities of the Western world adapted the clothing of the day to distinguish their scholars.
The gown is based on the roba, a robe worn under cappa clausa, a garment resembling a long cape. The various details of academic dress now represent the university and degree to which the wearer belongs.
Undergraduate and Masters hoods of the University are variations of red and slate-grey, with the full-dress robes of a Doctoral degree traditionally made of bright silk-like red cloth. The senior officers of British universities generally wear distinctive and more elaborate dress.
The Chancellor’s robe has been specially designed and created for the University of South Wales, and follows the traditional form of ceremonial dress that has signified senior rank since the 16th century. This form of robe is also seen in the state dress of office-holders such as the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Chancellor.
The University’s Chancellorial robe is made of red ‘truro’ damask, decorated with white, and has grey detailing on the front. The silver ornaments on the sleeves are known as ‘frogs’. The Chancellor’s hat is a soft rounded headpiece, known as a Tudor bonnet, with long-standing origins in the academic traditions of the UK. The Vice-Chancellor and senior officers of the University wear distinctive robes based on this overall design.
OUR DISTINGUISHED HONORARIES
Each year, the University’s Honorary Awards Scheme celebrates the significant achievements of individuals by awarding Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships.
Honorary Doctorates are awarded to distinguished individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in their chosen field and have a connection with USW’s heritage and mission. Honorary Fellowships are awarded to individuals who have served the University or a discipline area with particular distinction.
Honoraries are nominated by colleagues at the University, members of the Board of Governors, and the Students’ Union Council, and are considered by the Conferments committee.
OLIVIA BREEN ACCLAIMED BRITISH PARALYMPIAN IN SPRINT AND LONG JUMP
Olivia Breen became internationally recognised for her talents at the 2012 Paralympics where she took part in Great Britain's T35-38 4x100m relay race, in which she won a bronze medal at just 16.
Olivia was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in childhood and is deaf, but never let this hinder her passion for athletics. She has consistently excelled on the global stage, winning multiple medals at World and European Championships - achieving gold in the T38 long jump at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London and gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Olivia took bronze in the T38 long jump. Notably, she won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the T38 100m, winning the first track gold medal for a Welsh woman in 32 years, which led to her becoming BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year.
Away from the track, Olivia takes part in charity work, particularly with children’s charities such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) Cymru, Access Sport, and Leonard Cheshire. She is a keen advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in sport, and participates in motivational speaking.
LOOKING BACK AT 2024
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST YEAR
02 – The ‘Entrepreneurial University of Wales’ – top for fourth year running USW has been named as the topperforming higher education institution in Wales for supporting graduate start-up businesses for the fourth year running. 2022/23 figures also found that USW was 11th out of 220 UK universities for start-up businesses and 9th in the UK for the number of active graduate businesses.
01– USW rises 59 places in the People & Planet University League USW saw a huge rise in the 24/25 People & Planet University League table, placing 23rd out of 149 institutions in the UK and 4th in Wales. The League is an independent ranking of UK universities based purely on environmental and ethical performance. USW scored 100% for environmental policy and engagement, and 88% for carbon management, reflecting our target of becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
03 – Game developed by USW graduates becomes global top seller
Richard Pring, a USW graduate, is the co-founder of Wales Interactive, a game development company that employs several USW graduates. Sker Ritual, a game developed at Wales Interactive, has now become a global bestseller, becoming the one of the top three downloaded titles on Steam, top five on Xbox and top 10 on PlayStation within a week of its release.
04 – Construction gets underway for new building on Treforest Campus Building work started in September for a new academic building on Treforest Campus, which will provide state-of-the-art facilities for Computing, Engineering and Technology. The building will promote interdisciplinary working by making the activities that are taking place visible and accessible.
05 – Inspiring research celebrated at USW Engagement & Impact Awards 2024
USW research was celebrated at the fifth annual Engagement & Impact Awards in October. The Awards celebrated collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and partnership working as well as the impact of that work on our communities and wider society in Wales, nationally and internationally.
07– Illustration students bring street art to Cardiff electrical boxes
Illustration students collaborated with Cardiff Council to produce street art for electrical boxes around Cardiff, tackling vandalism and helping communities to take pride in their local areas. The project was set up by USW’s Employer Engagement and Placements team for students to gain experience in working with clients.
06 – USW joins education partners in Wales-first economic wellbeing framework USW signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) alongside Further Education colleges in South East Wales. The MoU, the first of its kind in Wales, is part of a groundbreaking framework which will see local Higher and Further Education institutions collaborate on key objectives for economic wellbeing in the Region.
08 – USW expands degree apprenticeship offering
In September, USW launched new degree apprenticeships in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, and Real Estate, in partnership with Welsh Government. BSc (Hons) Real Estate also secured accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the sector hallmark of excellence.
09 – Glowing Ofsted report for USW police apprenticeships
Following a rigorous Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) inspection of the University’s policing apprenticeships, USW received the official judgement of ‘Good’ across the board, as well as an ‘Outstanding’ judgement for Behaviours and Attitudes.
10 – Pioneering students celebrate success in digital degree apprenticeship
The first group of students to complete the digital degree apprenticeship graduated in July. The degree focuses on the need for industry partners to guide and support the curriculum, giving graduates the skills to thrive in their sector. Partners include Capgemini, Admiral, the National Statistics Office, the Welsh NHS, and Sony.
11– Eisteddfod 2024 puts USW and Rhondda Cynon Taff on the map USW welcomed hundreds of visitors to its stand at the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd. Visitors enjoyed workshops and demonstrations from a range of subject areas, and USW hosted live music from students, partner colleges and graduates. An alumni reception was also held for more than 50 members of our graduate community.
12 – Highest-ever ranking for USW in Guardian University Guide
USW achieved its highest-ever ranking in the Guardian University Guide 2025, rising 21 places to 51st of the 122 institutions on the list. This result also meant USW was ranked third in Wales. The University saw additional positive results for individual subject areas as well as for student satisfaction.
13 – New Chiropractic Clinic building reaches major milestone
USW’s new Chiropractic Clinic on Treforest Campus reached a major milestone with the completion of its main structure in October. Set to be completed in spring 2025, the clinic will bring together all learning, teaching and practical elements on to the same site.
14 – USW secures funding to nurture talent and employability in creative sectors
USW was awarded almost £70,000 of Welsh Government funding, from the Creative Skills Fund, run by Creative Wales, to support the growth of Immersed Festival – an annual multimedia event entirely run by Creative Industries students – through a new skills development programme.
16 – Research funding success supporting Black and Minority Ethnic women affected by violence and domestic abuse
The University was awarded more than £300,000 funding from Health and Care Research Wales for a large-scale research project focusing on support for Black and Minority Ethnic women affected by Violence Against Women, Domestic abuse, and Sexual Violence.
15 – More success for USW at Wales STEM Awards
USW was successful at the Wales STEM Awards again this year, which celebrate the organisations and individuals making a difference to the STEM agenda. The University won the Research Project of the Year award for its work on sustainable and slow-release organic silicon fertilisers (SIFER), led by Dr Christian Laycock.
17
– Promoting mental well-being through engagement with nature
USW secured £149,980 from the Medical Research Council for the 'Healthy Young Minds' project. The project, conducted in partnership with Children and Adolescent Mental Health service (NHS Highland), aims to co-produce an early intervention programme with high school students to promote mental well-being through engagement with nature.
18 – Newport Campus refurbishment improves facilities for users
USW’s Newport Campus underwent a refurbishment to enhance its facilities for colleagues, students, and the local community. This included the development of two new specialist spaces: the Hydra Research and Innovation Centre (HRIC) and the Newport Engagement Hub, home of Start-up Stiwdio Sefydlu, USW Exchange and events teams.
WELCOME TO YOUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY
Congratulations, you did it! Our alumni are part of a vibrant community of more than 250,000 incredible graduates from across the globe. We’re here to support your future prospects and showcase your talents.
There are many reasons to stay connected, from networking and events to lifelong learning opportunities and volunteering your time. We love to feature our graduates and promote your hard work in a variety of ways, whether that’s in our newsletter or through our active social media channels. Simply keep your contact details up to date to hear about all of this, and more! We’re on hand to support you for life after graduation.
The benefits of being a University of South Wales graduate extend well beyond your new qualification. We’re fortunate to have such diverse alumni, from film makers, lawyers and healthcare professionals to international sport coaches, famous comedians, and small business owners, worldwide.
As graduates you will remain part of the USW Family and become lifelong ambassadors for the University. As the next generation of innovative creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs, we wish you every success. Welcome to the community!
Email: alumni@southwales.ac.uk | Visit: www.southwales.ac.uk/alumni
POSTGRADUATE STUDY
Did you know that more than 5,500 students choose to study a postgraduate course with us each year? Why not join them and give yourself the edge with a postgraduate or professional qualification? We have a wide range of courses to offer all our graduates and you may be eligible to discounts. T&C’s Apply. Visit: www.southwales.ac.uk/postgraduate
USW CAREERS
Our dedicated Graduate Careers Support Team is on hand to help you pursue your career ambitions. Unlock graduate access to CareersConnect where you can book career appointments with our experienced Career Advisers, or employability and employer sessions to boost your skills. Connect with us for the latest graduate-level vacancies and job alerts.
Our online accessible resources can assist you at every stage of the recruitment process, from CVs, cover letters and application forms, to preparing for interviews and assessment centres. Just log into your graduate MyCareer toolkit for on-demand, online recruitment support, whenever you need it. Visit: www.southwales.ac.uk/graduatecareers.
FREELANCING AND BUSINESS START-UP SUPPORT
If you are considering freelancing or have an idea for a new business or social enterprise, USW can help bring your ideas to life.
We offer one-to-one support, funding, and interactive events to give you the knowledge, confidence, and networks to start working for yourself. We also have free on-campus coworking space to develop your idea at the Startup Stiwdio. Visit: www.southwales.ac.uk/graduatecareers
GRADUATE OUTCOMES – YOUR VOICE COUNTS
Share your success in the Graduate Outcomes Survey, a national survey capturing graduate activities and perspectives. They get in touch around 15 months after you leave university for your contribution to the collective voice of UK graduates. Your contribution will help current and future students to make informed choices and help USW to evaluate and promote courses. Visit: www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk