Issue 33 - October 2018 Aber scoops top teaching accolade 4 Success for the for second time AberSailbot team Aberystwyth University started the new academic year with the 6 Spotlight on… wonderful news that it has been named University of the Year for ApAber Teaching Quality for the second year running. The University was selected for this prestigious UK now has students happier with the quality 10 Campus investment and improvement title by The Times and Sunday Times Good of their teaching, the product of a concerted University Guide 2019 which was published on effort to put student needs first and last.” Sunday 23 September. Professor Elizabeth Treasure, Vice-Chancellor 12 My research The Guide also ranked Aber top in the UK for of Aberystwyth University, said: “I know teaching quality, up five places on 2018, and it the effort which goes in to ensuring that maintained its position amongst the UK’s top our students are taught in a stimulating 13 Staff Mobility - 50 universities. environment; that they receive meaningful Inspire, Improve feedback and assessment, and are given and Develop The Editor of The Times / Sunday Times the academic support they need to think Good University Guide, Alastair McCall, said: independently and to succeed in their “Aberystwyth has achieved something no studies. These external awards provide a solid is published by the other UK university has done in winning our foundation on which to build for the future Communications & Public Affairs Team, University of the Year for Teaching Quality Aberystwyth University. and I would like to express my gratitude to award for two years in a row by exceeding Tel: 01970 622578 everyone who has made this possible.” E-mail: [email protected] already excellent previous results in the annual The next edition will be available in National Student Survey. No university in the February. Copy deadline is Friday 11 January. From October 1st 2018 Group Exercise MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY TIME CLASS TIME CLASS TIME CLASS 09.15 - 10.00 Mixed Ability Cycle 12.15 - 13.00 Pilates for Back Care 07.30 - 08.15 Mixed Ability Cycle 12.00 - 13.00 Sportive Cycle 12.15 - 13.00 Advanced Cycle 09.15 - 10.00 Mixed Ability Cycle 12.00 - 12.45 Yoga Gogerddan 13.10 - 13.55 Abtastic Core 09.30 - 10.15 *Parent & Baby Circuit 12.15 -13.00 HIIT 13.15 - 14.00 Mixed Ability Cycle 12.15 - 13.00 Mixed Ability Cycle 13.10 -13.55 Aerobics 17.30 - 18.30 Circuits 12.15 -13.00 Bodyfit 14.00 - 15.30 Introduction to Yoga 17.30 - 18.30 Step and Tone 13.10 - 13.55 Fit Ball Pilates 17.00 - 19.00 Ashtanga Yoga 17.45 - 18.30 Mixed Ability Cycle 17.30 - 18.15 HIIT 17.30 -18.30 Step and Tone 18.35 - 19.20 Mixed Ability Cycle 17.30 - 18.15 Dumbbell Workout 17.45 - 18.30 Mixed Ability Cycle 18.30 - 19.30 Zumba 18.15 - 19.15 Pilates 18.30 - 19.30 Pilates 19.00 - 20.00 Triathlon Swim 18.30 - 19.30 Sports Fit 19.00 -20.30 Hatha Yoga 18.30 - 19.15 Aquafit FRIDAY 19.30 - 20.30 Yoga for All THURSDAY TIME CLASS TIME CLASS 07.30 - 08.15 Mixed Ability Cycle SATURDAY 07.15 - 08.00 Triathlon Swim 10.30 - 11.15 Aqua Gym TIME CLASS 07.30 - 08.30 Yoga for All 12.15 - 13.00 Circuit 09.05 - 10.05 Mixed Ability Cycle 12.00 - 12.45 Yoga Gogerddan 13.10 - 13.55 Dumbbell Workout 09.30 - 10.30 Bodyfit 12.15 - 13.00 Abtastic Core 16.00 - 17.00 Power Yoga 10.45 - 11.45 Pilates 12.15 - 13.15 Advanced Cycle 17.00 - 18.30 Yoga for All 13.10 - 13.55 Pilates 17.30 - 18.15 HIIT SUNDAY TIME CLASS 17.30 - 18.30 Circuits 17.45 - 18.30 Mixed Ability Cycle 09.05 - 09.50 Mixed Ability Cycle 17.30 - 18.30 Aerobics 18.30 - 19.30 Zumba and Tone 11.00 - 12.00 Zumba 17.45 - 18.30 Mixed Ability Cycle 18.30 - 19.30 Zumba 18.30 - 19.30 Bodyfit Tel: 01970 622280 Email: [email protected] All classes finish 5 minutes prior to the stated time www.aber.ac.uk/sportscentre/classes to allow for change overs between sessions The management retain the rights to alter the *Not during school holidays programme at short notice. To find out who is teaching a session and for more For current information please visit: information please visit our web pages www.aber.ac.uk/sportscentre/classes/timetable The Vice-Chancellor’s Column The start of a new academic at Gogerddan has started, with completion due in 2020. We year has been a significant continue to work with the Royal Veterinary College on detailed date in my calendar since I proposals to bring veterinary medicine training to Aberystwyth started working in the higher and hope to welcome the first students in September 2020. education sector 28 years In partnership with QinetiQ, we are refining proposals for a ago. This time of year brings National Spectrum Centre based here in mid Wales but serving with it a sense of excitement the whole of the UK. This new facility would give commercial and expectation as new companies the ability to test the latest wireless technologies, students arrive on campus drive research and innovation, and bring high value jobs to for the first time, and returning students slip back into Aber the region. A recent focus event attracted more than 200 life with renewed vigour. There is a distinct gear change in the representatives from academia, industry and government with workings of the institution. The lull in the flow of meetings over Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns speaking highly of both the project the summer has passed and the pace picks up as colleagues and the University in his keynote speech. return from well-earned leave. Following the successful centenary celebrations of our This year the change in season is even more marked, as our Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, this academic university’s new structure and teams start to take shape. Not year sees our Department of International Politics mark its one unlike our Freshers perhaps, we are all getting used to a hundredth anniversary. On Thursday 11 October, I look forward different order. I know this process of change has not been easy to welcoming First Minister and Aber alumnus Carwyn Jones for many colleagues but though difficult, the steps taken since as he kicks off a fascinating centenary lecture series that, over April 2017 have been absolutely necessary. Much of the savings the coming months, will bring together a range of impressive outlined in our Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) have speakers from across the discipline. now been identified or achieved and I am confident that firm We also have the centenary of plant breeding to look forward financial foundations are being laid for the future. to in 2019 and as we move closer to the 2021 Research It is not financial sustainability alone which has been nurtured Excellence Framework, I want to see us doing even more to over the past few years. Our recent successes in league tables highlight and celebrate the breadth and depth of the research and rankings are being seen as exemplary in the sector, and being carried out across all our three Faculties. provide further platforms on which we can build and grow. If you’re up for an early morning walk, please join the In making us University of the Year for Teaching Quality for an Chancellor and me in Old College at 8am on Friday 12 unprecedented second consecutive year, the Editor of October as we set out in our robes to kick the bar in time- The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide Alastair honoured tradition. Staff, students and the local community McCall commented that “no university now has students are all welcome to join the procession as we mark our annual happier with the quality of their teaching, the product of a Founders’ Day. In looking to the future at a time of change, it concerted effort to put students’ needs first and last.” That is fitting too that we should remember our roots and look back analysis - coming after our outstanding NSS results and TEF with thanks to the benefactors and passionate educators who Gold award - is a glowing tribute to the commitment and made this wonderful university possible back in 1872. Long may dedication of staff across the institution. My sincere thanks to their motto be our mantra. Nid byd, byd heb wybodaeth. you all for what you have done and continue to do. A world is not a world without knowledge. There are other exciting developments ahead. Construction Professor Elizabeth Treasure work on the Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus Vice-Chancellor Nominations for Honorary Awards sought The University is inviting nominations for a range of Honorary Awards to be conferred during its graduation ceremonies in July 2019. Nominations of individuals to be considered for Honorary Geraint Pugh, the University Secretary explains: Fellowships, Honorary Doctorates and Honorary Bachelor “The more nominations the University receives, the better. degrees are invited from staff, students, and members of the The aim is to have an interesting mix of individuals being general public. recommended for Honorary Awards – individuals whose achievements and contributions we can celebrate, and who will Full details, including a nominations form and eligibility criteria, inspire the whole University community.” can be found online at: www.aber.ac.uk/en/about-us/honorary- awards.