MARCH 2014 Volume 20 No. 3 Students At the heart of our work 1 INTRODUCTION NEWS Introduction Boost for Welsh When selecting an image for the front cover of this edition language learning of Cardiff News – we thought we’d do something a little different. University Welsh language Gaynor Williams has been doctor in Pontypridd and clinical provision has been boosted with appointed to teach Nursing and lecturer with Cardiff University’s Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Midwifery at Cardiff University. School of Medicine. Zoe is an funding. She spent twenty years working as active member of the Welsh a nurse at University Hospital of Medical Society and she will join Sali Collins has been appointed Wales’ neurology department and Cardiff University as Lecturer in to develop provision within Cardiff University as Associate Healthcare Sciences. journalism. The former Head of Lecturer. BBC Radio Wales hopes to recruit Dr Ioan Matthews, the Coleg prospective students to the capital to Manon George who’s currently Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Chief study the subject through Welsh for drawing her PhD on law of Executive said: ‘‘We are glad the first time. devolution to a close has been that Cardiff has appointed these appointed lecturer in law at Cardiff individuals through the Coleg’s Students will be able to study University. Manon is a member Academic Staffing Scheme and elements of Medicine through of the Wales Governance Centre wish them well in their new posts. the medium of Welsh for the first and has taught Public Law through time with Sara Whittam at Cardiff Welsh over the past four years. “I look forward to seeing the Welsh University. She would like to language provision grow over the ensure that students are confident in After graduating from Imperial next few years.” discussing medical issues through College London, Zoe Morris the medium of Welsh. Williams has worked as a family Language learning Our ambition as a University is new scheme to encourage and widen really quite simple: we want to access to University for people “Whether it’s the first year recruit the best students regardless of with Asperger’s, and ways we are undergraduate venturing upon – the Caldicot Project background from Wales, the UK, EU exploring to provide more teaching and across the world. through the medium of Welsh. University life, or the seasoned Cardiff is pioneering teaching Llandaff, and St Alban's in This edition of Cardiff News is As a University which aspires to be postgraduate student honing their methods with a new module that Cardiff. focused on education and students the best, we have to create the best research skills – students are at our offers final year Modern Foreign and how we are building on current facilities and environment in which Language (MFL) students Cardiff MFL students work to provide a positive and to learn. That’s why we’ve set out very core.” mentored teaching practice in gain transferable skills enriching experience – an experience what students can expect from us in local schools. in communication and that supports students through the our Student Charter, which we renew Professor Patricia Price professionalism to enhance transition to independent learning annually. Students enjoy lectures and their employability. Those who right through to employment. workshops on teaching, led wish to pursue a teaching career Professor Patricia Price Equipping our students with the skills of undergraduates. Through the Finally, for fans of the hit BBC by experts in the field, before gain all-important classroom That’s why you will hear from the needed to ease their transition to work excellent work of our University programme Sherlock, you’ll get going into local schools where experience. University’s Deans for Education or further study is also crucial. Graduate College Programme a feel for our contribution to the they lead classes and learning Rather than the usual posed Whether it’s the first year and Students who cover our three and new facilities at our flagship programme as one of the regular activities, and inspire pupils Student feedback has been picture“ of happy students around undergraduate venturing upon new Colleges of Biomedical & Most people may not appreciate that Hadyn Ellis building, we are locations used in Cardiff. to pursue languages through excellent. “The whole campus we thought we’d identify University life, or the seasoned Life Sciences, Arts, Humanities the evidence suggests that a student ensuring that our post graduates presentations about their time experience has changed what I an image that helps symbolise the postgraduate student honing their and Social Sciences and Physical who goes abroad will do better get the recognition and support they There are not many students who spent living abroad. wanted to do in the future,” said importance of our students to the research skills – students are at our Sciences and Engineering about what in their studies. That’s why we’re deserve as a key part of our growing can say they go to University one student. “It’s a challenge University. very core. they are doing to support the student setting-up our Global Opportunities student community. in Sherlock’s Mind Palace! Partner schools have reported I’m so glad I took on.” experience and their plans for the Centre, a one-stop-shop for students ” improved academic performance It probably sounds like a well warn In an ever-changing and competitive future. wanting more information about You’ll also get a chance to meet our I hope you enjoy the edition. from pupils, and an increase The School of European cliché but the stunning front cover environment we must not only aspire studying or volunteering abroad and current University President, Cari in uptake of MFL at GCSE Languages, Translation and image of a heart, taken by Clara Erice to be the best but we must give our You’ll also meet Ben Lewis our new why we have launched the Languages Davies, the first female president Professor Patricia Price and A level. The scheme has Politics is looking forward to Jurecky one of our postgraduate students an education that is the best, Director of Student Support and for All programme to offer students for ten years, and meet some of our Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education expanded from its initial pilot in expanding the scheme into other students as part of her research, delivered in the right way, in the right Wellbeing who outlines how the access to free language courses. students combining their studies and Students Caldicot School in 2012-13 to languages when the new School symbolises that our students are at environment and one that gives them University is supporting students with with elite sport with the support of include - St David's FE College, of Modern Languages comes the very heart of what we do as a a head-start in their chosen careers the advice and guidance they need. When most people think of the University’s High Performance St Teilo's, Cathedral School into being in September. University. – regardless of sector. You’ll also learn about an innovative students, they probably think programme. 2 3 SUPPORTING STUDENTS SUPPORTING STUDENTS the College’s individual Schools excel and we are learning from It has been a busy year for Professor This academic year has already seen The Deans’ View their experiences. The School of a visit from the General Optical Journalism, Media and Cultural Paul Dummer (Professor of Restorative Council, with the General Dental Studies, for example, has an Dentistry and former Vice-Dean of the Council visiting in the spring and Professor Amanda Coffey, Dean for excellent record in awarding good the General Medical Council in honours degrees to students, using School of Dentistry) since taking up the the autumn. These visits will focus Education and Students with the College the full marking spectrum and on the educational and clinical supporting their students to be position of College Dean for Education experience of our students as they of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, aspirational. The School of History, and Students within the College of prepare for their careers in the outlines what she and her colleagues Archaeology and Religion does healthcare sector and it goes without incredibly well in the National Biomedical and Life Sciences. saying that this will be a busy time have been doing to support the student Student Survey, and is already for staff in the relevant Schools as exceeding The Way Forward target well as the College. experience over the last year for assessment and feedback. Part PGR students. Some 1,000 of structure has been our ability to of our work this year has been to these students are from overseas. work closely with the Sabbatical Recent activity in the College learn more from our Schools about Significantly, a high proportion Officers who are valued members has focussed on the formation of how they have achieved excellence My remit as College Dean is to of programmes in the College of many committees and working cognate ‘communities of practice’ to in these and other areas. support“ the provision of high quality have strong links with regulatory, groups. facilitate the sharing of best practice The College structure has for example, that will launch in Management with Integrated Work education and speciality training professional and statutory bodies, and to enable academic faculty and provided“ us with a forum to share September 2014. Placement, offering students a The College has also afforded across all the eight+ Schools in with three Schools being unique The College is responsible for the support staff to come together to good practice and a welcome five month, credit bearing work us the opportunity to work more the College, and to ensure that providers in Wales (Dentistry, provision of much of the workforce share ideas, suggest enhancements opportunity to work together to Initially the project will run in six placement as part of their second collectively on our recruitment the College continues to attract Optometry and Pharmacy).