Cardiffcalling Issue 01 2007

The new magazine for student and parents

UNIVERSITY OF WALES INSTITUTE, CARDIFF ATHROFA PRIFYSGOL CYMRU, CAERDYDD

Cardiffcalling Issue 01 2007

The new magazine for student and parents

Welcome

UWIC Llanaff Campus

Welcome to the first Cardiff Calling Magazine. UWIC have had a busy academic year so far and we wanted to share some of the success and student experiences with you. There is a lot going on in and around Cardiff throughout the year and we aim to keep you up to date with events as well as keeping you informed with UWIC achievements. We hope you enjoy reading the magazine and if there is anything you would like more information about or you have suggestions as to what you would like to see in future editions please drop us a line at: uwicinfo@uwic.ac.uk.

Honorary Fellowships & Degrees Key figures from sport, education and art were honoured by UWIC at its annual graduation ceremonies. This year’s Honorary Fellowship recipients are: Stephen Bayley, author of more than ten books, nearly 30 exhibition catalogues, countless articles and broadcasts, and one of the world’s best known commentators on modern culture. Arthur Emyr is the Director of all activities in Wales for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Peter Griffiths is Chief Executive of Principality, Wales’s largest building society. Shani Rhys James, a nationally-acclaimed artist. Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales. Richard Rogers - Baron Rogers of Riverside - receives both an Honorary Degree and Fellowship.

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This year’s Honorary Degree recipients are: Simon Jones MBE, Welsh cricketing star and sporting icon. Angus Dunphy MEd OBE is one of Wales’ most distinguished Educationists. Gordon Harrhy Chairman of Board of Governors of UWIC, Member of the Court and Council of the University of Wales and Chair of the University of Wales Audit Committee.

Charter Mark for UWIC Staff and students at UWIC are celebrating after being awarded the Charter Mark for a record fifth time. UWIC is the only Higher Education institution in Wales to achieve the UK Government’s national standard for excellence in customer service. UWIC was singled out for its use of technology to provide information and access within a virtual learning environment; meeting the needs of members of minority groups through initiatives such as First Campus, who encourage people into learning who have never considered it before; and UWIC’s positive effect in the community through the Cardiff Community Learning Network who feed back experiences to the planning of learning programmes. Colleen Connor, UWIC’s Dean of Learning and Teaching, said: “This achievement recognises the importance UWIC places on quality of service. The excellent assessment outcome reflects the high standards that are reached across the university and the commitment to continual improvement.”

Adam Painter, SU President

UWIC welcomes new students UWIC held the ultimate welcome event for their thousands of new students a week before any other institution in Wales. On Monday 17 September, around 2,500 students filled the National Indoor Athletics Centre (NIAC) at UWIC’s Cyncoed campus in a spectacular first-of-its-kind event.

‘it was the ultimate welcome for all new students’ As well as an official welcome from UWIC’s Vice Chancellor and the Student Union President and his team, there were more than 70 stands from various clubs and organisations at the Freshers’ Fair.

UWIC’s Student Union also gave out donor cards and registration forms to encourage them to sign up to the organ donor card scheme. Adam Painter, SU president, said: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting the organ donor card campaign and were on hand to give our new students advice about this very important scheme. “It shows that among all of the fun and excitement of the Fresher’s Fair, we are committed to offering serious issues and campaigns our full support. “This is the first time that UWIC’s welcome event and Freshers’ Fair were held in the same venue and it was the ultimate welcome for all new students.”

Freshers Fair, UWIC Cyncoed Campus

National Indoor Athletics Centre NIAC

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UWIC Women’s rugby team

UWIC’s women’s rugby team held on to their BUSA crown after an impressive victory at Twickenham. The skilful squad managed to overcome Loughborough to take the title for the second successive year with a final score of 27 - 5. This is the fourth time that UWIC have won the BUSA women’s rugby championship having lifted the trophy in 2002, 2003, 2006 and now in 2007. From the outset UWIC were the dominant side and the first try was scored by UWIC’s captain, Helen Amos, in the thirteenth minute. She then followed this up with a second later in the game. A further two tries from Shelley Barr sealed the victory for UWIC. Chris Davey, Director of Rugby at UWIC, said: “Once again our women have shown that they are the dominant force in BUSA Women’s Rugby. They are to be congratulated for their efforts and I’m sure they will be determined to make it three

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Championships in a row next year. “The men’s team were defeated by UWE Hartpury in their final but enjoyed a great day at Twickenham and they will be looking to win this competition next season. “The men’s Fresher’s team won the BUSA Plate competition by defeating Leeds Met and are to be congratulated on an unbeaten season. A number of the players from this team will be pushing for 1st team places next season in what promises to be a very competitive squad.”

Lifting the BUSA trophy

Doctor Who & Torchwood

The Doctor (David Tennant) & Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman)

Filming of Doctor Who and Torchwood, takes place in and around Cardiff. Since early 2005 Cardiff has been used as a backdrop for the exciting series of Doctor Who – although meant to be London, Cardiff lends itself perfectly as a busy lively city. Torchwood, however, is filmed and set in Cardiff, making the most of the fantastic architecture and the great landscapes on the outskirts of the city – even UWIC buildings have been used in some episodes. Both programmes are fun, exciting, contemporary and scary. Hailed as fullblooded drama’s which embraces the Doctor Who heritage, at the same time as introducing characters to a modern audience. The BBC have a lot to be happy about as both shows have developed quite a cult following. Celebs are lining up to work alongside The Doctor - David Tennant and Captain Jack - John Barrowman, confirmed stars include: Kylie

Minogue, Catherine Tate, Fenella Woolgar (Jekyll), Felicity Kendal (The Good Life), Tim McInnerny (Black Adder/Notting Hill). If you would like to get up close to the TARDIS or perhaps a Dalek or K-9, the Doctor Who Up Close Cardiff – the phenomenally popular exhibition is based in the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay. Open from 11am to 8pm everyday and students get in for £3.50 when you show your NUS card.

Sources: www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/ www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/ www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/ stories/2006/12_december/ www.doctorwhoexhibitions.com/cardiff/ about.html

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After their epic journey the team return

Squaddies Atlantic challenge A UWIC lecturer and five students played a part in assisting a team of heroic rowers in their record-breaking attempt to make the gruelling Atlantic crossing from the US to the UK.

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Before the Journey...

Team Hesco, a group of four current and ex-servicemen, took part in the Shepherds Ocean Fours Rowing Race, which saw them set sail from New York and dock at Mevagissey in Cornwall. The battling foursome - Mark Waterson, Pete Rowlands, Charlie Martell and Ben Fouracre - spent 84 days, 23 hours and 59 minutes at sea and achieved the longest continuous row from West to East, of 3,317 miles. They were slightly more dubious about the other record they smashed - being the oldest foursome to complete the crossing. The team’s motivation behind this extraordinary challenge is the memory of Pete Rowland’s son Gareth, who died aged just 16 from meningitis on 23 May 2003. Following the loss of his sports-mad son, Pete set up team Commando-Joe with three of his army rugby team mates, who gave themselves the goal of completing three extreme challenges over three years in aid of Meningitis Trust. They have so far raised £144,000 for the charity. To cope with the immense physical pressure being placed on their bodies throughout this demanding rowing challenge, a good diet was of the utmost importance, so they called on the expertise of Dr Ruth Fairchild, nutrition expert at UWIC.

Photos: Supplied by record attempt team.

Dr Fairchild was more than happy to offer advice when she realised their reasons for taking part, and was also grateful that the team were keen to allow her to use this challenge as a live dissertation topic for students on the Science in Health Exercise and Sport degree course. “Five students were involved,” said Dr Fairchild. “Each of the main nutrients was being considered by a separate student; carbohydrates, protein, fat, fluids and hydration and minerals and vitamins. But they still had to work in a group for it all to come together.” “We calculated that with the team rowing for two hours, two at a time, they would need around 1,200 calories a day, but there was simply not enough space on the boat to pack that much food. We compromised with 9,000 calories a day. Their requirements were much higher than usual because of the exercise; it is the same theory as a healthy, balanced diet, taking the excessive amounts of exercise into consideration. It shows you can eat a healthy diet even if the requirements are greater.” As well as the mammoth task of coming up with the correct diet for the team, Dr Fairchild and the students also had the added pressure of the space and weight restrictions of the 29-foot boat to take into

consideration, which meant that the majority of the food had to come in the form of dried army rations. The lack of space in the boat turned out to be the least of the team’s worries; they encountered severe weather which whipped up incredible 90ft waves, and rather unsurprisingly, had moments when the atmosphere between the team became so fraught they contemplated throwing each other overboard! But they made a resolve to only let an argument last one hour, and would always end up as best friends again. They also made a conscious decision to only pack enough food for 67 days, as the current world record for making the crossing stands at 55 days. The team managed to ration food well and had just one square of chocolate each to eat on their final day. “I lost three and a half stone which is 25 per cent of my body weight,” continued Pete. “Mark lost four and a half stone, 28 per cent of his body weight, one guy lost six stone, 40 per cent of his body weight and the other lost four and a half stone, 29 per cent of his body weight.” “But we could never have completed this challenge without the nutritional advice we received from UWIC.”

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UWIC bucks national trend with higher international student numbers

Balancing on the bar

Plate spinning, not as easy as it looks

Management students walk the line

New students were given an ‘entertaining’ introduction to their studies this autumn, when ‘juggling’ their work took on a whole new meaning. More than 500 first-year students from UWIC’s Cardiff School of Management had the opportunity to try their hand at traditional circus skills such as juggling, plate spinning and even tightrope walking during the induction week. The induction combined three intensive days of seminars on academic and research skills, with other activities including a circus workshop. Students also took part in an open-top bus tour that incorporated a treasure hunt around Cardiff, with the aim of encouraging students to take a better look at their surroundings, and also as an introduction to the city itself. The innovative induction programme was devised by Peter Redding and Lisa Wright, of the Cardiff School of Management. Lisa said: “The principle aim of the week was to actively

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engage the students with the skills needed to succeed in university, particularly research skills. However, part of the educational experience is also learning to work with others and bonding with fellow students. “We learn best when we’re having a bit of fun. Hopefully, we’re striking a balance between what is seen as academic and what is seen as a good time.” Peter added: “The circus skills event was held at the end of the week to develop team building and confidence skills, as well as encouraging students from different programmes across the school to mix and interact before the start of term. “The feedback so far has been extremely positive and we are already talking about repeating the induction for the 2008 intake of students.”

Record numbers of international students enrolling this year at UWIC have bucked the national trend of stagnation in overseas recruits. UWIC welcomed more than 750 international students in September – a sharp rise from the 2005 intake and more than 100 above target – despite overseas student numbers stabilising in other universities across the UK, according to UCAS. This means they now represent approximately ten per cent of UWIC’s total student numbers. They come from over 60 different countries with India, China and Oman being particularly well-represented. In the view of Education Minister Bill Rammell, increased competition from other countries such as Australia and the US have also contributed to the decline in overseas students applying to UK universities, UWIC’s Dean of International Students, John Phillips, said: “These students are fulltime, fee-paying learners who provide both the university and the city of Cardiff with a valuable resource through their considerable spending power, as well as contributing a positive cultural and ethnic balance and internationalising the university curriculum. “UWIC’s increased number of international students is very encouraging bearing in mind the national trend and we are pleased that students from countries outside Europe are attracted to Cardiff in increasingly larger numbers. “UWIC provides a warm welcome and welfare system for international students and Cardiff has also enjoyed a strong reputation for offering a positive experience for them for a number of years.”

Festival Focus: Festival 24 Festival24 took place in Cardiff on the 7th and 8th September 2007 - two days of the best emerging music in Wales, The UK and the Rest of The World.

The venues were The Point, Cardiff Barfly, Clwb Ifor Bach, CF10, Buffalo Bar, Tommys Bar, The Wharf & Hard Rock Cafe. Breakthrough bands such as Scouting For Girls, Miss Conduct, Midasuno, Taint, Stuart Cable (ex stereophonics) new Band Killing For Company, Zenyth, Circle of One & The Guns all made an appearance. There was no one genre, and the aim was to open the door to all different styles and genre of music to give the Festival a truly unique feel. James Regan Director of Festival 24 says:"Our aim is that Festival 24 will become to Cardiff what The Great Escape has become to Brighton & The Camden Crawl has become to Camden. We're aiming directly at a Welsh audience who I think will make up a large amount of those attending - but everyone is welcome.” “Our aim is to give fans the best possible options to watch the best upcoming talent in music, over the two days and to allow the fans the chance to choose who they watch at any of the venues. There is no limitations if they want to watch an act at The Point in Cardiff Bay they can, then if the next act they like is at Cardiff’s Barfly then off they go. We will bring great music that deserves to be heard”. “This will be a fantastic opportunity for emerging talent and music in Wales and for Cardiff as a capital city to show of its love of live music”.

72 Bands, over 2 days at 8 different venues Issue 01 2007 - Cardiffcalling

Name Nathan Wise Course BA (Hons) Product Design Year 3 Time you got up today? 9.15am What day is it? Thursday

Plans for tonight? Head into town about 8pm, catch the bus in and arrive about 8.30pm. Head to Lloyd’s or the Prince of Wales and get the rounds in. Move to Walkabout before the queues build up around 9.30pm and watch the sport that’s

A day in thelife of a UWIC student What are you doing this morning? Attend 10 am lecture and then go to model workshop to make prototype models, ask the lads how last night went because I was in hockey practice, and have a chat. Go and talk to lecturers about queries and problems with work. Get the solution then back to the workshops to finish. Where did you go for lunch? The Canteen What is in your schedule for this afternoon? Going home about 4.30pm arrive at 4.50pm. Cook dinner and eat it followed by a trip to either the gym or an ice skating session. Around about 5.30pm the ice rink is getting busier so it’s good to socialise. What will you have for dinner? Chips, beans and fish. LOCAL DEALS Location: Walkabout – Thursdays are student nights! Price of a drink: £1.80 – £2.00 for Double vodka red bull £1.75 – £2.50 for pints. Opening Times: 9pm – 3am Location Prince of Wales Price of a drink: Pint of Fosters £1.85 Bottle of Reef £1.40 – £1.70 Opening Times: 11 am – 1am

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usually on the big screen in there before the night begins…

’Lets get our freak on!’ Lets get our freak on!, shouts my house mate Matthew Cook, and that means lets hit the dance floor and mingle around… We leave the club at closing time and head to chippy lane (Caroline Street) for some grub before going home. How did you get home? Taxi What was the best part of your day? Definitely the night out, there were a group of people that I live near in first year out dressed as… I think it was ‘matheletes’. They looked really funny. Nights out give you a chance to meet all your friends that you’re not on a course with. After all that…. the trip to Morgan’s chips shop right at the end of chippy lane is the best. I only go there, it’s ‘well nice’. The owners are mega polite and don’t mind a bit of banter. Finding a taxi home then is easy… look out onto the main street and it’s like shooting fish in a barrel, everywhere you look there is a taxi. So the night ends well when you don’t have to walk home.

Nathan Wise

Gigs now until March 2008

24 November 2007 KAISER CHIEFS Cardiff International Arena

Thursday 13 Dec 2007 WET WET WET Cardiff International Arena

Sunday 25 Nov 2007 SUM 41 Cardiff University

Thursday 13 Dec 2007 WALLIS BIRD Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Monday 26 Nov 2007 BEN MILLS St David's Hall, Cardiff

Monday 17 & 18 Dec 2007 UB40 Cardiff International Arena

Monday 26 Nov 2007 THE BLACK CRUSADE Cardiff International Arena

Wednesday 19 Dec 2007 RIHANNA Cardiff International Arena

Wednesday 28 Nov 2007 AMY WINEHOUSE Cardiff International Arena

Friday 21 Dec 2007 JOOLS HOLLAND Cardiff International Arena

Wednesday 28 Nov 2007 THIN LIZZY & QUEENSRYCHE St David's Hall, Cardiff

Saturday 22 Dec 2007 FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND Cardiff International Arena

Friday 30 Nov 2007 MICHAEL BUBLE Cardiff International Arena

Saturday 12 Jan 2008 HUNDRED REASONS The Point, Cardiff

Saturday 1 Dec 2007 ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Wednesday 23 Jan 2008 KORN Cardiff International Arena

Sunday 2 Dec 2007 KLAXONS Cardiff University

Friday 25 Jan 2008 ALISON MOYET St David's Hall, Cardiff

Sunday 2 Dec 2007 MCFLY Cardiff International Arena

Wednesday 30 Jan 2008 KERRANG TOUR 2008 Cardiff University

Monday 3 Dec 2007 MAROON 5 Cardiff International Arena

Friday 1 Feb 2008 PAUL POTTS Cardiff International Arena

Tuesday 4 Dec 2007 CROWDED HOUSE Cardiff International Arena

Tuesday 19 Feb 2008 JOE BONAMASSA The Point, Cardiff

Thursday 6 Dec 2007 BOOTLEG BEATLES St David's Hall, Cardiff

Sunday 24 Feb 2008 NATASHA BEDINGFIELD St David's Hall, Cardiff

Monday 10 Dec 2007 MADNESS Cardiff International Arena

Sunday 24 Feb 2008 IAN HUNTER (ACOUSTIC) The Point, Cardiff

Tuesday 11 Dec 2007 THE WOMBATS Solus, Cardiff

8 – 10 March 2008 WESTLIFE Cardiff International Arena

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UWIC Bursary Scheme 2008/9 Helping Students finance their way through University Discover how UWIC could help you towards the cost of studying. UWIC’s Bursaries and Scholarships are cash gifts that are non-repayable, worth up to £3000. If you would like to know more about whats available to you please visit: uwic.ac.uk/bursaries or contact UWIC’s Bursaries Officer, James Brennan. tel: 029 2041 6143 email: jjbrennan@uwic.ac.uk

Y Gymdeithas Gymraeg

Welsh Society

A oes eisiau gwella eich Cymraeg? Cymdeithasu drwy’r Gymraeg? Ymuno â thîm chwaraeon Cymraeg?

Want to improve your Welsh? Socialise through Welsh? Be part of a Welsh Sports Team?

Os felly, dyma’ch cyfle! Mae gan Gymdeithas Cymraeg UWIC nifer o ddigwyddiadau yn ystod y flwyddyn, felly dewch draw ac ymuno a’r hwyl. Mae digwyddiadau’r Gymdeithas yn cynnwys:

Now here’s your chance! The UWIC Welsh Society has many things going on through out the year, so come and join the fun. The society’s events include

• Crawl Dafarndai • Timau Chwaraeon – Pel-Droed a Pel –Rwyd • Côr • Trip i Ddulyni weld Cymru yn erbyn Iwerddon (Rygbi) • Eisteddfod Rhyngolegol Aberystwyth ac Abertawe • Nosweithiau Chwaraeon • Nosweithiau Cwis

• Pub Crawls • Sports Team’s – Football and Netball • Choir • Trip to see Wales v Ireland in Dublin (Rugby) • Inter-Uni Aberystwyth and Swansea • Sports Nights • Quiz Nights

Open days Come and see for yourself! The best way to see what UWIC and Cardiff have to offer is to join us on one our open days. If you decide to join us on one of our Open days you can expect: •An opportunity to visit UWIC's campuses. •A chance to speak with academic staff and students about the range of courses and career opportunities on offer. •A guided tour of our excellent resources including accommodation, learning resource centres and superb sports facilities. UWIC host several General Open Days each year but most UWIC courses also offer their own specific Open Days.

Cardiff Calling Magazine is produced by UWIC's Communications, Marketing & Student Recruitment Unit. Editor: Ruth Walton, Publications Officer, Gemma Smith, Marketing Executive, Communications, Marketing & Student Recruitment, UWIC Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2SG. Tel: 029 2041 6294 or email: rwalton@uwic.ac.uk

Design: UWIC Creative Services, Tel: 029 2041 6056 Front cover photograph: Dave Manton, Photodrome. Information was correct at time of going to print. © Copyright UWIC 2007

To find out the latest dates, or to book a place on any UWIC Open Day please visit: uwic.ac.uk/opendays or contact the Open Day Officer on 029 2041 6042