UNIVERSITY OF WALES INSTITUTE, CARDIFF ATHROFA PRIFYSGOL CYMRU, CAERDYDD “To be a premier provider of higher education that promotes student employability; applied research and knowledge transfer” UWIC Vision 09-10 Annual Review It’s a fact... UWIC is ranked as the top UWIC has partnership arrangements “new” university in Wales in all the major newspaper with 137 Secondary Schools tables e.g. The Times Good University Guide, The Sunday (including 14 Welsh-Medium Schools) and Times University Guide, The Guardian University Guide 310 Primary Schools (including 50 Welsh- and The Independent’s Medium Schools) in South Wales Complete University Guide UWIC is the top university in the In 2009 - 10 2220 students UK across seven key areas completed short including ‘overall student courses through UWIC’s Centre for Personal satisfaction’ in the International and Professional Student Barometer 2010 Development UWIC has worked 300 UWIC students UWIC has students with more than 5000 and alumni have from 143 companies and represented their countries brought over 500 new products to country across studying for the marketplace over 30 different its degree the past ten years sports programmes Welcome President’s Message I was privileged to preside over this year’s The independent UK league tables continue summer graduation ceremonies in the Wales to provide external recognition of UWIC’s Millennium Centre, and in the course of that strengthening position as a top ‘new The Right Honourable week the variety of qualifications awarded university’, and in 2009 - 10 I was delighted the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, was matched by the international diversity of to see the additional recognition of UWIC by Councillor Keith Hyde the student cohort. UWIC’s long-standing the International Student Barometer placing President of UWIC drive for social justice and social inclusion UWIC as the top university in the UK on I am very proud to be the was demonstrated in the number of “overall student satisfaction”. graduates coming from some of the most There is so much in this Review that President of UWIC in my office as deprived areas of Wales. Talking to those demonstrates the value of UWIC to Cardiff Lord Mayor of Cardiff. Over the graduates I was heartened to learn how the and beyond. This ranges from the applied vocational focus of their studies was helping past months I have seen for myself research that is at the interface of new their opportunities in the employment knowledge creation and its practical the achievements and commitment market. of staff and students to the application, through the leading edge On behalf of UWIC, I have received the key partnership structures that are now in place, ongoing success of the to the new Cardiff School of Management to the student and community-based focus in ‘Top New University in Wales.’ building at the Llandaff Campus, where once all that it does. I was a student myself. This building is a I hope you enjoy reading the Review and, The Annual Review is a time for reflection perfect exemplar of the university’s like me, I am sure you cannot help but be and some recognition of what has been commitment towards providing enriched impressed that here in Wales we have a achieved over the last twelve months, and learning experiences. It shouts-out the university with student learning placed the publication of this Review is an commitment to the partnership that exists centrally and with such a strong international endorsement of what can be achieved between UWIC and so many major Welsh reputation. through commitment, vision and partnership- and international companies and gives voice working in one of the best ‘new universities’ to the university’s work towards a buoyant I congratulate UWIC on a very successful in the UK today. Welsh economy. 2009 - 10 and wish everyone continued success during the next academic year. Chair and Vice-Chancellor’s Message This Annual Review sets out Review examines and celebrates UWIC’s uncertain and financially challenging. delivery of an excellent student experience, To strengthen its ability to respond to a UWIC’s development and placing the maintenance and enhancement difficult economic environment and to achievements during the academic of student satisfaction at the heart of all our strengthen higher education in Wales and year 2009 - 10. activities. We are committed to the delivery beyond UWIC has affirmed its intention to of social justice and working with partners to play a full role in the Welsh Assembly The university’s achievements during the last providing accessible and inspirational Government’s Regional Planning initiative year include consistently strong performance learning opportunities. The university and to secure its future in collaboration with in league tables and student satisfaction continues to encourage and enable students national and international partners. surveys (including first position in the UK in to develop the skills and aptitudes expected the International Student Satisfaction [i-grad] by employees to support the development of The Board of Governors and Executive is Survey) and major developments in the a buoyant economy. greatly appreciative of the contributions estate and in the provision of bilingual made by staff and students to UWIC’s education. These achievements are A defining feature of research at UWIC is the continued success particularly in a difficult testament to the skills and dedication of the achievement of excellence and international environment. Drawing on these successes whole UWIC community. recognition in applied research; UWIC is the Board of Governors is resolved to build committed to applied and applicable on UWIC’s strengths and achievements as a UWIC’s achievements reflect a long-term research that is effective and at the interface resilient and autonomous institution. engagement with the themes of the Welsh of new knowledge creation and its practical Assembly Government’s document For our application. We continue to work with Future: the 21st Century Higher Education commerce, industry and business to provide Strategy and Plan for Wales. This Review innovative solutions to the challenges facing focuses on those themes. It demonstrates the economy and to improve the social and how UWIC is engaged in promoting social cultural well-being of Wales. This work is justice in education and accessible learning exemplified by UWIC’s reputation as a opportunities, developing programmes leading provider of graduate start-ups and geared towards the provision of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. employment-related skills and maintaining research and knowledge transfer activity Throughout 2009 - 10 the Board of designed to make a significant contribution Governors and the Executive have strived to prepare UWIC to meet the challenges and John Wyn Owen CB Antony J Chapman to the economic, social and cultural well- Chair, Vice-Chancellor being of Wales. Specifically, the Annual opportunities of a future which will be both Board of Governors 1 Lord Digby Jones addressing the first business dinner in the new building for UWIC’s Cardiff School of Management The Higher UWIC is the top Education Academy’s university in the UK Postgraduate Research across seven key Students Survey ranked areas including UWIC among the top ‘overall student 10 UK universities in satisfaction’ in the all of its five key areas International Student of measurement Barometer 2010 Lord Digby Jones was the guest Delivering an Excellent speaker at the first business dinner in the new Cardiff School of Student Experience Management building. The former CBI Director and UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment provided his UWIC is proud of its reputation for offering a These major estate developments ensure that views on business and the wider world to an high quality, supportive and enriching UWIC continues to meet the challenges of all audience of Welsh business leaders, student experience built upon its long- its stakeholders in delivering an environment politicians and other VIPs. established, student-centred approach to fit for early 21st century higher education. Lord Jones said: “I am delighted to be here to learning. Projects that were delivered in 2009 - 10 celebrate a wonderful institution’s advance include: Maintaining and enhancing student and improvement, and this building is like satisfaction is at the heart of the ‘UWIC a new building for the Cardiff School of putting up a big sign for how wonderful Experience’. The university continues to Management. education is. This School is all about getting work closely with its students to ensure that it a leading Food Industry Centre for the people to believe in themselves and I remains responsive to their needs, and Cardiff School of Health Sciences. applaud the university for ensuring that it is continually seeks to improve their a multi-purpose Campus Centre on the ready for tomorrow’s world.” learning journies. Cyncoed Campus incorporating new Also present at the dinner were Student Union facilities. This focus on continual improvement to our representatives from companies and extensive refurbishment of teaching teaching, learning and support structure is organisations which are sponsoring teaching rooms and sports facilities for the Cardiff endorsed by an impressive run of strong rooms and lecture theatres in the new School of Education and Cardiff School appearances in university guides and student building. The sponsors, including the of Sport. surveys, including the National Student Admiral Group,