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 representing Wales and the Orient, reflecting 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 who have made an outstanding contribution in their chosen field(s) of activity and have a connection with USW’s heritage and mission.
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.
CONNOR ALLEN CHILDREN'S LAUREATE WALES (2021-2023), POET, AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST
Connor Allen is a passionate poet and multidisciplinary artist from Newport. He is proud of his working-class roots on a Newport council estate – a theme that often features in his work.
His background is in acting, but he is also a keen writer of poems, plays, and other productions.
In 2021 he was offered the role as Children’s Laureate Wales, which he proudly accepted with the aim of empowering young people through creative expression.
Connor’s work is heavily inspired by elements of his own life, including grief, love, masculinity, identity, and ethnicity. He has a litany of writing credits to his name, as well as acting credits and award wins.
Most recently, he was awarded the 2023 Imison Audio Award for his semi-autobiographical BBC Radio 4 play Making of a Monster, which was given a full theatre commission. His debut poetry collections, Dominoes and Miracles, were published in 2023 by Lucent Dreaming.
JOHN DAVIES MBE MANAGING DIRECTOR, PERVADE AND CO-FOUNDER, CYBER WALES
John Davies received an MBE in 2022 for Services to the UK Cyber Ecosystem.
As well as 35 years’ industry experience, John was, in 2014, the co-founder and chair of one of the UK’s first cyber security clusters.
He has since been the co-founder and chair of Cyber Wales, global cyber ecosystem GlobalEPIC, and UKC3, which supports cyber security clusters in the UK. In 2019 John was the UK representative of European Cyber Security Organisation.
John co-founded Pervade Software, which provides the platform for the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Essentials Scheme, the UK Police Cyber Alarm platform, and the Dark Web intelligence gathering platform. He keeps his skills current and is a Certified Ethical Hacker.
John is an Army veteran and officer in the British Army Reserve. He is the Chair of the Regional Employer Engagement Group for the Armed Forces in Wales, and an Honorary Colonel. In his spare time, he fundraises for Armed Forces charities through cycling and running and enjoys exploring Bannau Brycheiniog with his wife and their four Dalmatians.
GARETH WILLIAMS
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MARSHALL GROUP, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR, THALES (2008-2023)
Gareth Williams is the Chief Operating Officer of Marshall, leading on all operational aspects of the group across the UK, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Gareth is also a former leader at Thales, where he oversaw the operations of the organisation’s global cyber business. Gareth helped to develop the Wales National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) and ResilientWorks, a partnership development between Welsh universities, the Welsh Government, and Thales. He is one of the founding leaders of the Cyber College Cymru initiative, an industry partnership with FE colleges in Wales which educates students from former industrial communities about career opportunities in cyber. He sits on the CBI Wales Council and is a member of the National Cyber Advisory Board for UK Government.
LOOKING BACK AT 2023/24
KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST YEAR
02 – Partnership launches to build stronger links between education and community
The South Wales Civic Engagement Partnership (SWCEP) - a partnership between universities and colleges operating within Cardiff Capital Region – was launched at USW’s Treforest Campus with Jeremy Miles MS. The partnership aims to deliver a collaborative approach to civic engagement.
01– USW shortlisted for THE University of the Year award
USW was shortlisted as the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year award, widely known as the Oscars of higher education. The award recognises institutions that demonstrated exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year.
03 – Developing net-zero buildings
USW is part of a project which has received a £5m grant to speed up the development of net-zero buildings. The Switch to Net Zero Buildings project will enable buildings across South Wales to generate, store, and release their own heat and electricity.
04 – Top honours for USW at Wales STEM Awards
USW colleagues took home two awards at the Wales STEM Awards 2023. Dr Mabrouka Abuhmida, Senior Lecturer in Computing and Mathematical Sciences, was awarded STEM Woman of the Year. A team led by Senior Lecturer Dr Leshan Uggalla won the STEM Research Project of the Year.
05 – USW joins regional hydrogen supercluster
USW is part of a multi-million-pound project which will develop a hydrogen supercluster in South-West England and South Wales. The project will bring academic, civic, and industry partners together, providing solutions for storage and distribution, transport, and the energy sector supporting up to 100,000 jobs by 2050.
07– USW top in the UK for postgraduate research student satisfaction
USW was ranked the top institute for overall postgraduate research student satisfaction in the annual Advance HE Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), with 89% satisfaction – 10% higher than the sector. USW was also top in both the Support and Research Skills categories.
06 – New development training opportunities for doctoral candidates
USW is one of 89 institutions included in a new cohort of doctoral training partnerships (DTPs). This will provide a breadth of professional development training opportunities to enhance the capabilities of doctoral candidates and further develop a world-class, highly skilled workforce for the UK.
08 – USW becomes leading partner in £6.6m Cardiff Capital Region economic development programme
USW was announced as a leading partner in a new programme to drive economic development across South East Wales, funded by the Cardiff Capital Region and UK Shared Prosperity Fund. USW is leading the Academic-Industry Partnership Programme to boost skills and help unlock barriers to growth for businesses.
12 – USW launches topical Psychology Podcast
09 – Wales Screen Academy to develop the next generation of TV and Film talent
USW, Screen Alliance Wales, and Bangor University launched Academi Sgrin Cymru | Wales Screen Academy, which supports the next generation of screen talent across Wales. The collaboration aims to create a pipeline of talent for the Welsh Screen Industry, building capacity, capability, skills, and knowledge for all of Wales.
10 – 20 USW graduates recognised for their work on BAFTA and Oscar-nominated films
A total of 20 graduates from Animation and Design courses were recognised for their work on BAFTA and Oscar-nominated films, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget, Wonka, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3.
11– USW Fashion team create ‘dream clothes’ for conjoined twins
USW’s Fashion department created outfits for conjoined twin girls from Cardiff, as part of BBC documentary Inseparable Sisters. Technical Instructor Sue James, Course Leader Gwyneth Moore, and student Hannah Ludovico developed several outfits for the girls, after selecting pieces of clothing in their favourite colours and patterns and adapting them to fit their body shape.
The University launched The Psych Sofa, a podcast series hosted by Dr Klara Price, Developmental Psychologist. The episodes explore how research, policy, and practice interlink, and develop shared understanding across addictions, women’s reproductive health, mental health and physical activity, educational wellbeing, USW’s Early Intervention Service, and Health and Housing.
13 – Preparing the Six Nations stars of the future
USW partnered with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to use research expertise to inform player development, including assessment of players’ speed, endurance, force generating ability, and more. As part of this collaboration, WRU Welsh Schools & Colleges teams will be invited to USW at points through the year so their development can be tracked and benchmarked against other teams.
14 – Cost-cutting project could slash greenhouse gas emissions
USW pioneered a project called OXYHYWATER, which aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas produced during the treatment of wastewater. The project, which is in partnership with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, utilises a form of wastewater treatment developed by the USW-based Sustainable Environment Research Centre.
16 – USW academics receive Learned Society of Wales Fellowship
Two USW academics, Professor Sandra Esteves and Professor Roiyah Saltus, have been named among the 43 new Fellows of The Learned Society of Wales. The Learned Society represents the best of Wales’ academic, cultural, and civic life. As Fellows, Professors Esteves and Saltus will help ensure research in Wales contributes to a thriving nation.
15 – Education providers sign up to Dying to Work Charter
USW became the second university in Wales to sign up to the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) Wales Dying to Work Charter. The Charter is a commitment to support colleagues diagnosed with terminal illness, and outlines key principles aimed at ensuring job security, protection of rights, and a compassionate approach to empowering terminallyill colleagues.
17 – The ‘Entrepreneurial University of Wales’ – top for fourth year running
USW has been named as the top-performing 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.
18 – Game developed by USW graduates becomes global top seller
Richard Pring, a USW graduate, is the cofounder 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 one of the top three downloaded titles on Steam, top five on Xbox and top 10 on PlayStation within a week of its release.
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 bimonthly 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