#CUGrad2014 JULY 2013 Volume 19 No. 9 A Cardiff News special edition /cardiffunialumni #CUGrad2014 Introduction The year that was… “In this special edition of Cardiff News Professor Patricia Price is the University’s Pro we celebrate our graduating students: Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and The Class of 2014… Academic Standards. Here, she takes a whistle stop tour of some of the highlights of the last year. As Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and Academic “Standards I get to witness the daily achievements of you: our graduating students. From individual stories of academic excellence to the tales of outstanding personal and sporting achievement, I am privileged to see it all first-hand. Take for example two of the graduates Professor Patricia Price featured in this edition. Their experiences of student life could not be more different. Tom Lemon graduates this From a wider University point of the launch of our new Welsh Language has piloted a new scheme to put hundreds week as a Doctor; he’s spent the last few view, one issue dominated the year: Scheme. We’ve also made it easier to of essential course readings online, as months picking-up award after award for Institutional Review. get the information students need to well as work to extend opening hours. his academic efforts. gain an international experience – with This review was not just about assuring the opening of a dedicated Global Finally, one thing that continues Meanwhile Jessica Reynolds’ story is one the public of the quality of our provision; Opportunity Centre, providing a shop to amaze me is just how much our of overcoming not one, but two painful it provides an opportunity for our front setting at the heart of our Cathays students contribute and give back to the life-long conditions whilst juggling the students to say for themselves whether campus. This was supplemented by community. physical and emotional demands of a we are delivering an enriching experience the launch of our Languages for All 18-month-old baby. for our students – rather than just talking programme - which will give students Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC) is about one. the chance to learn (or improve their) a charity run by the students and helps It seems that whatever has been going on, language skills for free during their students volunteer in and around the Cardiff University students have played Making sure we give our students studies. city of Cardiff working with the elderly, a leading role: from our former PhD opportunities to gain new skills and young, disadvantaged and vulnerable Professor Colin Riordan student, Luke Piggott, who flew the flag experiences that will set them on their members of the community. for the University at this year’s World University Winter Games to the six “On behalf of everyone at Cardiff University, I wish This year saw Cardiff University’s ... It’s also an opportunity to This represents a huge logistical and In this edition you’ll hear from We would also like to make a students confirmed as members of Team flagship Student Tutor Project team up offer a warm welcome to close family administrative challenge for any our Pro Vice-Chancellor for genuine plea to stay in touch. Wales in this year’s Commonwealth you health, happiness and success as you leave us – with SVC to increase the provision they “and friends visiting our great capital organisation. Student Experience and Academic Games. and hope that you will be part of our growing alumni, offer to school pupils and communities city. Standards, Professor Patricia Price, As a Cardiff graduate you can act in some of the most deprived areas of Porters, caterers, Students’ Union as she reflects on some of our as our champion wherever you In looking back on the year, it would be demonstrating the transformational nature of higher Cardiff: together we are now supporting I have been fortunate to be involved staff, senior administrative and students’ accomplishments over the end up in the world of work. You remiss of me not to mention the Students’ 12 local community based homework in graduation ceremonies over many academic staff pull together to make last academic year. can keep in touch online, attend Union Team. Under the leadership education.” Professor Patricia Price clubs, many of which have pupils that years in a variety of institutions, first this unique week happen. the variety of events organised of Cari Davies as President, they’ve are from families who have little or no as a student, then as an academic and You’ll also learn more about some for alumni or even volunteer to campaigned on the issues of concern to way after they graduate is also part of 2013/14 will also be defined as the history of going to university. now as Vice-Chancellor. Whilst this is my second graduation of our graduates’ unique stories. be a mentor for current Cardiff students. Their work saw them shortlisted this process. Work at the University year when we embraced new ways of as Vice-Chancellor, I remain struck University students. for the prestigious NUS Officer Team of has supported a wide range of co- delivering teaching and learning. We It’s impossible to cover everything that It’s a chance not only for our by what a vibrant and exciting However, this is not the end of your the Year Award. curricular activities for undergraduate launched our first MOOC (Massive has happened over the last year but I graduates to don the obligatory cap community Cardiff is. Cardiff experience. Finally, I would like to thank and post-graduate students, including the Open Online Course) on Muslims in the hope this has provided a flavour of the and gown but also to reflect on their all staff and students for their Whether it’s been calling on the University Choir, mentoring schemes, Community, quickly followed by one some of the exciting things that have personal academic achievements and Not only have I seen the genuine Some of you will carry on with enthusiasm, dedication and University to adopt a Living Wage; student enterprise schemes, the CAER on Community Journalism as part of been happening. recall and celebrate the experiences excellence of our teaching and us through postgraduate or contribution to Cardiff arguing the case for investment in the heritage project (recently recognised with our relationship with FutureLearn, both and friends they’ve made along their research, but, just as importantly, professional studies but for most, University, and wish our Students’ Union and wider University a top UK award), and a wide range of offering insights into these dynamic and It just leaves me to say on behalf of university journey. I’ve seen the huge contribution our attention will turn to securing graduating students facilities; winning an NUS Green Impact field trips through to activities run by the fast growing areas. More than 15,000 everyone at Cardiff University, I wish graduates make to society and the employment, which is where the every success in the future. Gold award; or holding the University Universities Royal Naval Unit. people have been part of this new you health, happiness and success as you Over the course of this week, some wider economy. help and advice of our dedicated to account - they’ve constantly been learning experience so far. leave us – and hope that you will be part 7,000 students will graduate. Students and Employability Team – Professor Colin Riordan knocking on the University’s door. As a University based in Wales, for of our growing alumni, demonstrating featured in this edition – can be of Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University” Wales, I am proud we’ve continued to Access to information is clearly vital for the transformational nature of higher real help. support the Welsh language through students and this year the Library Service education. 2 ” 3 /cardiffunialumni #CUGrad2014 Discovery of new Alzheimer’s risk genes Match made in research Our year in pictures in record study Historians – and husband and wife – Professor Kevin Passmore and Dr Garthine In the largest ever study of its kind, an Walker, of the School of History, Archaeology and Religion, were awarded From an inspiring talk by Sir David Attenborough, securing a Queen’s Anniversary international collaboration of scientists, prestigious Leverhulme Research Fellowships to advance their fields of research. jointly led by Cardiff, uncovered 11 new Reader in History Dr Walker will research and write a history of rape and sexual Prize, a major breakthrough in the genetics of Alzheimer’s – the last year was susceptibility genes linked with Alzheimer’s violence in England and Wales, whilst Professor Passmore will start his major certainly one to remember. disease. This major breakthrough will research on the Maginot Line in History, Culture and Memory. significantly advance scientists’ knowledge of 7 Alzheimer’s and throws open new research avenues. Under the spotlight University graduate and well- loved BBC journalist Huw 6 Edwards cast his close eye over new University plans. Healthy habits found to reduce In a wide-ranging interview 8 dementia risk with the University’s Vice- A study which monitored the health Chancellor, Professor Colin habits of 2,235 men over a 35-year Riordan, he considered the period found that exercise significantly University’s new strategy – 2 reduces the risk of dementia. The study 1 The Way Forward. New medical curriculum launched Boost for next generation of Arts & was the longest of its kind to probe the The School of Medicine launched a radical Humanities researchers influence of environmental factors. new education programme designed to Cardiff University jointly won substantial Sir David Attenborough attract, train and retain the best doctors for arts and humanities funding to support Sir David Attenborough, whose work Wales.