The Future's Bright

WINTER 2012/13 University Magazine Cardiff for Alumni & Friends The future’s bright CARDIFF’s wORLD-CLASS POSTGRADUATES LIFE-CHANGING SCIENCE A LABORATORY FOR THE HUMANITIES Breakthroughs in cancer Revealing the Cardiff Rare Books research and IVF treatment Collection’s hidden gems Welcome contentsWinter 2012/13 REGULARS 4 s New Cardiff in the top 20; Satisfied students; New academic structure; Anthrax research 8 Development T he University’s links with business and alumni 24 Network 10 From circumventing the globe in a tuk-tuk to building homes Welcome to this issue of the Cardiff University Magazine. from old shipping containers Giving postgrads Since I took up my new role as Vice-Chancellor and 14 President of Cardiff University on 1st September, I’ve learnt the edge much about Cardiff, its staff, its students and its alumni. 30 First person Attracting the world’s sharpest Power your business I’ve already been lucky enough to meet some of our Dr Graham March researchers former students on a recent trip to Beijing and I hope to Pharmaceutical pioneer be able to meet many more of you around the world in 17 The knowledge the months and years to come. THE network What is clear to me is that when our students arrive POSTGRADUATE Linking academia and here in Cardiff, whether as excited new undergraduates, ISSUE organisations representing with Cardiff Talent experienced postgraduate researchers or mature students multicultural Wales juggling their studies with other responsibilities, that first 10 The future’s day is the start of a lifelong relationship, one which brings bright 18 A laboratory for them friendship and fellowship with both the people and Cardiff PhD students outline the humanities the place where they spend their student life. The AMP Project is a new partnership between the Cardiff their groundbreaking research Cardiff’s stock as a centre Amongst the many thousands of students here in for research excellence has Cardiff we have a vibrant and growing postgraduate Network of Alumni and Friends and the University’s risen with a new collection of research community, one which is vital to our research Careers & Employability Service. efforts and success. Their work and experiences are the 14,000 rare books focus for this issue of the Cardiff University Magazine. From their innovation and commitment working alongside 21 Breakthrough our leading researchers in the fight against cancer to thinking AMP stands for Alumni Mentoring & Placements, and will link students helping to support orphans of HIV and AIDS in rural Radical developments in the who are looking for paid work placements and mentoring with the wider Malawi, Cardiff postgraduates are trailblazers. treatment of breast cancer Our postgraduate research students are leading the 18 and IVF Cardiff alumni network. way in solving the many problems we all face in our varied societies worldwide; medical, cultural, ethical and political. These bright and brilliant minds are busy solving the problems we all have today. I believe all our tomorrows will Alumni will benefit by having access to the wide pool of talent available be the better because of their hard work. Wherever you are when you read this magazine, thank Wherever you are, stay in touch at the University, while students will have an opportunity to earn while you for your continued support of our work. with Cardiff University gaining work experience crucial for today’s job market. ON THE GO? SIMPLY USE YOUR SMARTPHONE Professor Colin Riordan TO SCAN THIS CODE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU Vice-Chancellor & President STRAIGHT TO THE ALUMNI SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE Cardiff University Editor: Sarah Price Cardiff University Magazine is available in alternative formats upon To find out how your business can benefit, Development and produced in association with: request. It is also available on our Alumni Relations Print: Immediate Media Co website at www.cardiff.ac.uk/alumni. Division, The Westdale Press Limited Tower House, Fairfax Street, take a look at www.cardiffnetwork.cf.ac.uk/amp Cardiff University, 70 Portmanmoor Industrial Estate, Bristol BS1 3BN Views expressed in Cardiff University Deri House, 2–4 Park East Moors, T +44 (0)117 927 9009 Magazine do not necessarily reflect Grove, Cardiff CF10 3AP Cardiff CF24 5HB www.immediatemedia.co.uk those of the University. The Editor T +44 (0)29 2087 6473 reserves the right to edit contributions F +44 (0)29 2087 0326 Unless otherwise indicated, copyright received. While care is taken to ensure E [email protected] in this publication belongs to Cardiff accuracy of information, this cannot be www.cardiff.ac.uk/alumni University. This document can be made guaranteed. update For the latest news and events at Cardiff University, Guardians of visit www.cardiff. the word ac.uk/news A new partnership with one of the UK’s largest media companies updatenews and events at Cardiff University will further enhance the University’s reputation as a centre for excellence in journalism. The year-long programme will see Guardian News & Media working alongside the University to Satisfaction guaranteed offer a new master’s degree in Journalism with Digital Media. To be based at a central Student satisfaction at Cardiff has reached its Cardiff coming well above the UK average. London location, a mixture highest level since the introduction of the annual Cardiff has the highest number of overall of guest lecturers will teach National Student Survey in 2005. Students satisfied students in Wales, and ranked students the core fundamentals rated the University highly in a number of areas, fifth amongst the best research-intensive of journalism. including teaching, assessment and feedback, universities in the UK. Professor Patricia Alan Rusbridger, Editor-in- academic support and learning resources, with Price, the University’s newly appointed Pro Chief, Guardian News & Media, 89 per cent of the University’s students satisfied Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and said: “Journalism is changing with the quality of their course. Academic Standards said: “There is much to Cardiff: top 20 at the speed of light. Virtually Satisfaction rates were high throughout the be proud of in our learning and teaching. This ranking every week we are learning new humanities, science, engineering, healthcare result is especially pleasing as it reflects the true techniques and fresh truths about and the professions. The survey also included a views of our students – and the hard work of Those who sing Cardiff University’s the way digital technologies are question on the quality of students’ unions, with staff across the University.” praises recently got confirmation of In the spotlight transforming the media. the institution’s position as one of the “Guardian News & Media has UK’s top universities. The Sunday Times The University’s Vertical Studio module gave in a way which explored architecture been at the forefront of that University Guide 2013 places Cardiff first and second year Architectural Studies outside the studio. The results engaged change. By partnering with a in the UK’s top 20, and also shortlists students the opportunity to project animation the public through an exciting and novel well-established and respected the University for the ‘University of the and imagery onto some of the University’s best medium,” says Nick Humes, Research university department we can Year’ title. known buildings this autumn. Associate and Module Leader. offer a master’s degree that will The guide states: “This powerhouse Students learned how to translate designs, Nick hopes that this new way of produce a generation of students of academic and research excellence surveys and theoretical discussion into 3D looking at buildings not only “energised who are completely up to date boasts one of the best graduate modelling and animation, giving them the the facades, but also provided the students with the skills needed to succeed employment rates in Britain. Students opportunity to explore themes and techniques with a new understanding of architectural in journalism today. don’t just get any old job either – most outside those of normal design projects. techniques,” something that can assist “Everything about the media secure degree-level posts with decent “Innovative methods and tools were used them in future career development. is there to be re-imagined and starting salaries.” reshaped. Our new master’s Cardiff’s position comes through degree will be applicable to a attaining high standards in a number wide range of careers, from news of areas: student satisfaction, teaching Reducing the threat to website content management and research quality, entrance of bioterrorism and social media.” qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff Researchers from Cardiff misuse of where anthrax ratios, graduate employment levels and are working with scientists anthrax: represents retention levels. from the USA, Turkey “Currently, a significant Alastair McCall, editor of the and Georgia to develop the majority disease of guide, said: “Our league table rewards a vaccine that could be of the world’s animals and universities which have placed used if anthrax is used in population humans, such as great focus on providing top quality a terrorist attack, as was is susceptible to the Caucuses. teaching. the case in the US postal infection with Bacillus In addition to NATO “If a university provides a great attacks of 2001. anthracis, the bacterium countries being prepared student experience and offers good Cardiff Microbiology which causes anthrax.” for the threat of anthrax graduate job prospects, plus a strong Professor Les Baillie, from However, as natural attacks, the establishment track record for degree completion the School of Pharmacy & human infection of anthrax of a research centre in and outcomes, good rankings and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is rare in NATO countries, Georgia will ultimately help students will follow.” is leading a NATO project scientists are conducting improve the lives of people that will study the potential research in regions in that region.

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