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Inside this Issue

News in brief - pages 4-5

Green Issues - page 7

Campus round-up - page 7

The Glyndŵr University Staff Newspaper Autumn 2014

@glyndwruni facebook.com/glyndwruni instagram.com/glyndwruni

FRESH START

Armed with a revitalised framework made up of seven academic business divisions, dynamic department heads and the institution’s first female president, Glyndŵr is ready for the next chapter in its short history.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Scott, said that despite obstacles and challenges in the past academic

year the long-term interests of the university, its staff, students and the community have always been at the forefront of all decisions.

“I believe we now have the nucleus of an institution that can move forward and grow,” he said.

As thousands of students arrive in north east Wales and London to prepare for the year ahead, staff at Glyndŵr University are beginning life under a new academic and operational structure.

Student President Penny Anderson and Vice President Marc Caldecott helping a student move into Wrexham VillageFull story – turn to page 3

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Autumn 2014

VC’s View – with Vice Chancellor Professor Michael ScottWith a new structure in place and students returning ahead of the 2014/15 academic year, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated staff who worked so hard to bring about a new beginning here at Glyndŵr University.

We have experienced so many challenges and obstacles over past months, not least the suspension of the university’s international HTS licence and the implementation of academic business divisions.

For those concerned about the situation, the university remains in constant dialogue with the UKVI and is working through the issues raised.

Let’s not forget, we were the victims of fraud, not the perpetrators, but the Home Office is tackling widespread immigration problems across the country and we will continue to cooperate with them until a positive outcome is achieved.

The university has been in an almost constant battle with external and internal forces, and that in turn has caused much discomfort and unease.

That is understandable, and again I am grateful to you all for the professionalism and diligence shown during this period.

But there are many reasons to be positive, as the following pages of this edition will reinforce.

Across the university we have garnered so much success; students and staff have maintained their incredibly high standards and reached new levels of excellence.

Our 44-place rise up the Guardian university league tables has been a source of pride, as was securing prestigious accreditation for Psychology and Business.So what of the year ahead? One thing is for sure, Glyndŵr University faces more challenges and obstacles; we cannot rest on our laurels and must work tirelessly to attract more quality students, more commercial partners and produce more first-class research of global significance.

As I stated previously, we can look back on a bold and demanding first five years in which brave decisions were made for the good of everyone in the Glyndŵr family, not least the hundreds and hundreds of students descending on our campuses across the UK in preparation for the year ahead. They must remain top priority, as is ensuring current students return and enjoy their time here, academically, culturally and socially.

Times are tough, and it’s the same for every university, for every family and business the length and breadth of the country. With new academic and operational teams in place and fired-up ready to go, we must all remain focused and determined.

We have the right people in place. We have a strong identity and ethos. We can and will be successful. This is just the start of the second chapter in the university’s short history, and it’s going to be an enthralling read.

EVENTSChris Ramsey – The Most Dangerous Man on Saturday Morning TelevisionWednesday October 1l William Aston Hall l 8pmTickets £16.50

Paul Foot Hovercraft Symphony in Gammon # MajorThursday October 9l Catrin Finch Centre l 8pmTickets £12.50

Catrin Finch & Seckou KeitaThursday October 16l Catrin Finch Centre l 7.30pmTickets £15 adults, £13 concessions

Dave Gorman Gets Straight to the Point* (*The Powerpoint)Friday October 24l William Aston Halll 8pmTickets £20

Al Murray - The Pub Landlord: One Man, One GuvnorSaturday November 1l William Aston Halll 7.30pmTickets £25.50

John Bramwell (I am Kloot)Saturday November 1l Catrin Finch Centre l 8pmTickets £15

HiraethWednesday November 5l Catrin Finch Centre l 7.30pmAdults £10, concessions £8

Vienna Festival Ballet – The NutcrackerThursday November 6l William Aston Hall l 7.30pmAdults £8, concession £16, children under 14 £12.50

Fron Male Voice ChoirSaturday November 8l William Aston Hall l 7.30pmTickets £12

Rhos Male Voice ChoirSaturday November 15l William Aston Hall l 7pmTickets £20, U16s £10

Levellers – Greatest Hits TourTuesday November 18l William Aston Hall l 8pmTickets £22.50

Pws Mewn BwtsWednesday November 26l William Aston Halll 10am, 1pmAdults £10, Child £9, Schools £8

3 Daft MonkeysSaturday November 29l Catrin Finch Centre l 7.30pmTickets £12

Cinderella6-27 Decemberl William Aston Halll Various timesAdult £16, Concession £14, U14 £10, Family £42

The 8 Out Of 10 Cats host will perform on Friday (September 26) at Glyndŵr University’s William Aston Hall as part of his latest UK tour – ‘Funny Business’Jimmy’s latest set might be his most joke-packed yet.

“On the new tour, I’ll try and tell 250 jokes over two hours. But in order to get 250 jokes that work, I’ve got to write about a thousand,” he said.

“I test them out, and if a joke doesn’t get a laugh then I’ll never say it again. The audience is a genius – they know what’s funny and what isn’t. They ultimately decide the fate of a joke.

“If they don’t work properly, they’ll end up on Twitter. It’s my version of recycling.”

Having already taken North Wales by storm last October with two consecutive sell out shows, the reluctantly dubbed ‘hardest working man in comedy’ is back with more quick wit, shocking one-liners and his ruthless deadpan delivery. Also, expect that signature laugh.

If you’re a heckler (which he implores you to be), beware of Carr’s brutally hilarious put-downs.

Renowned for his decade as the panel show’s host, Jimmy is also the frontman of Channel 4’s annual Big Fat Quiz of the Year, a regular guest on QI and regular on A League of Their Own.

His stand-up tours have seen him play to over a

staggering 1.5 million people, as well as impressively selling out shows from across the pond in the likes of Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa and now,Wrexham.

Tickets for Jimmy’s 10pm show are on sale for £25. Call the box office on 01978 293293 or visitwww.glyndwr.ticketsolve.com

Funnyman Jimmy Carr will be bringing his unique brand of comedy to Wrexham

Buy online at Glyndwr.ac.ukBox office 01978 293293

Buzz has two tickets to give away to see Al Murray – The Pub Landlord, and a family ticket to watch Cinderella. Just answer the question below and specify which performance you would like to see.

Competition questionWhich artist performing as part of Glyndŵr University’s autumn 2014 events line-up has a venue named after her at our Wrexham campus? Email answers to press@glyndwr.ac.uk by Friday October 10, 5pm.

COMPETITION

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The Glyndŵr University Staff Newspaper

The new academic business divisions and heads are as follows: Business, Prof Chris Jones; Engineering and Computing, Phil Storrow; Media, Arts and Design, Prof Estelle Thompson; Psychology, Sport Science and Health, Pat Hibberd; Social Science and Education, Simon Stewart; Multidisciplinary and Work Based Learning, Dr Richard Dover; Graduate School, Prof Chris Lewis.

For the operational business divisions,

the heads are: Market Led Division - Head of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions, Julie Cowley; Head of Business Development and Funding, Mick Card. Student Centred - Head of Learning Resources and Information Services, Rob Stockton; Head of Careers and Student Services, Karen Lennox; university Librarian, Paul Jeorrett. university - Head of Welsh Language and Affairs, Andrew Parry; Head of Finance, Stuart Fern; Head

of HR, Peter Gibbs. International - Head of International Business Relations, Suzanne Riley; Head of the Chinese Centre, Tong Ping. Registry – Registrar (under appointment).

Popular and innovative courses appearing for the first time include Chemistry with Green Nanotechnology, Computer Game Development, Immersive Technology, Marketing and Consumer Psychology, Telecommunications, and Intelligent Computing.

Among the division heads aiming to transform the university’s curriculum, enhance the student experience and create groundbreaking partnerships with both the community and commercial partners, is Pat Hibberd.

She said: “I am delighted to be leading our new division for Psychology, Sport Science and Health.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to create further synergy in teaching, learning and research across our subject areas for example, through our holistic perspective on well-being.

“Our division has a wide range of interesting undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and include land-based courses at our Northop campus.”

There is also a refreshing approach to learning and a market-led attitude towards commercial enterprise, as unveiled by Head of Business, Professor Chris Jones.

He said: “I want our students to immerse themselves in the world of business; I want them to study the cutting edge tools and theories that can advance the British economy going forward so they enter the professional world equipped to make a difference.

“To do this, we have demolished the old curriculum and re-built it from scratch, focusing purely on what is relevant today.

“Our lecturers will combine real business experience with an ability to communicate that knowledge and not regurgitate textbooks.

“How can you teach people about business if you’ve never stepped outside of the classroom?”

Prof Jones added: “From this September, we are offering 20 of our final year students the opportunity of a work placement. Those students selected will acquire vital experience to enhance their CVs and career prospects. This is all part of our vision to place Glyndŵr Business students at the heart of the new economy, both regionally and nationally.”

The university is also making strides creatively; Prof Estelle Thompson, Head of Media, Arts and Design, believes the division’s diversity and focus on producing skilled professionals is vital going forward.

She also looks forward to many more exhibitions like ‘End of Part Two’, a selection of artwork by final year students which opened recently at the university’s Oriel Sycharch Gallery.

“As well as a raft of interesting new and existing courses, which have proven very popular over the years, the new Goldstein Library, the Terry Hands Theatre and the North Wales School of Art and Design are also popular with students and prepare them for life after university.

“That’s what we are about here at Glyndŵr, we aim to inspire, instruct, enable and support our students to become the skilled, creative professionals able to build a visual and verbal future from the 21st Century.”

Those points were echoed by Head of Computing and Engineering, Phil Storrow, who wants to see Glyndŵr become “the university of choice” in Wales.

“This division will become a hub of expertise, supporting industry and commerce in the wider economy of Wales,” said Phil.

“I believe that listening to the student voice is vital in improving standards. The feedback we give to students helps them to improve and so the converse is also true. I look forward to the division engaging more closely and more regularly with our students.

“This division covers a diversity of science and technology and I see this as an opportunity to better react to the demands of industry and, for example, develop multi-discipline courses.

“We will expand our close engagement with our industrial partners and they in turn will help us to turn our students into valuable individuals that industry and commerce need today. We will be able to achieve this because we have a dedicated team of leading academics who are prepared to listen, be innovative and who are already well connected to industry and commerce.”

Catherine Vines, head of Glyndwr University London, added: “We are very keen to work closely with the new academic heads and look forward to further integrating this campus with those in north east Wales. It has been a challenging year but great strides have been made and we look forward to the new academic year.”

Continued from page 1

Phil Storrow

Chris Jones EstelleThompson

Glyndŵr University moved into the top three universities in Wales after rising 44 places in a league table of UK institutions.

The university was one of the biggest risers in the Guardian University Guide 2015, climbing from 108 to 64 in the rankings.

It was the institution’s highest ever ranking in a UK university league table since it gained university status in 2008.

Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled at this outstanding achievement. To achieve such a high ranking within six years of becoming a university is testament to the hard work of everyone connected with the institution.

“We are delighted to move into the

top three universities in Wales overall, only a few months after recording the highest student satisfaction in Wales in the Complete University Guide.

“Glyndŵr University is getting stronger and stronger and we look forward to building on this success in the next few years.”

A new degree to serve the food and drink industry was created.

Supported by Wales’ Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies, and frozen food king Malcolm Walker, the part-time Food and Drink Management course was developed by Glyndŵr Business School.

The degree will focus on the commercial aspect of the sector and is aimed at up-skilling aspiring managers and executives.

It will also provide a foundation and understanding of management practice within the context of the food and drink arena, with modules targeting traditional business topics such

as marketing and finance to sector-specific elements including food labelling, standards and exporting and importing.

The chairman of Deeside-based supermarket chain Iceland, Mr Walker, an Honorary Fellow of the Wrexham University, threw his weight behind the degree at a launch event at the university’s Plas Coch campus.

Addressing up to 50 guests, he said: “The industry is now a completely different ball game from when we started the company.

“In this day and age we need graduates to help drive growth in the business. That’s what this degree will do.”

The university joined forces with an entertainment pioneer to bring the best in live music to a landmark venue.

Glyndŵr University’s William Aston Hall (WAH) has already played host to some of the top names in UK comedy, including Jimmy Carr, John Bishop and Chris Addison.

A new partnership with VMS – which operates, promotes and manages Manchester Academy, Brixton Electric and Birmingham Ballroom, amongst other arenas – promised to give the Wrexham institution a fresh platform to bring UK and international bands and musicians to the Plas Coch venue, as well as attracting music fans from all over the country to north east Wales.

The deal coincides with the announcement that The Levellers will play at the WAH on November 18, as part of their Greatest Hits Tour 2014.

Lynda Powell, director of campus management and commercial services at Glyndŵr University, said: “We are delighted to have entered into a long term management agreement with VMS to oversee our venues.

“We already have a talented set of staff assisting with the delivery of events into the William Aston Hall and Catrin Finch Centre.

“Glyndŵr University remains at the heart of the community in North Wales and the agreement with VMS will provide audiences with a wider range of live music.

“In VMS, we are confident that we have found a partner which will take our successful arts and entertainment programme to a new level.”

Glyndŵr University announced plans to launch a revolutionary new degree in robotics.

The Wrexham University’s world-leading Computing department will unveil the postgraduate offering next year.

Professor Vic Grout and his team hope the Masters’ qualification will incorporate the innovative Baxter Research Robot, which would allow them to focus on specific application development goals, including human-robot interactions, collaborative robotics, planning, manipulation, control, and perception.

Active Robots’ managing director Antony Lovedale visited the Plas Coch campus to give students and staff a demonstration of its research applications, notably computer/machine vision, corporate research and development, education and outreach, and mechatronics and grasping.

Rich Picking, a Reader in Human-Computer Interaction at Glyndŵr, said: “We are really looking forward to launching our new Masters’ degree, which will give students practical hands-on experience of developing applications for industry-standard robots.

“We’ll be concentrating very much on the software engineering aspects of robotics, such as artificial intelligence, computation, and programming, but we will also be exploring the future impact that this field will have on society.”

Welsh football legend and broadcaster Robbie Savage accepted an honorary fellowship.

The former Leicester City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers star, now a regular pundit on Match of the Day and BBC Radio 5 Live, is to be honoured for Services to Sport.

Born and raised in Wrexham, Robbie is a lifelong Dragons supporter and looks forward to visiting the institution to receive the fellowship during graduation season in October.

“I am very thankful to be offered this honorary fellowship from Glyndŵr University and accept this accolade wholeheartedly. To be recognised for my Services to Sport is a wonderful surprise,” said Robbie.

“Football has always been my life, my focus and inspiration. It continues to be my passion. I am so grateful to have been able to work in the sports arena and to have such an engaging career.

“I may be the ‘Mr Marmite’ of football but I have remained determined, direct and given blood, sweat and tears for the game I love.”

The graduation ceremony will coincide with Robbie’s 40th birthday celebrations.

Glyndŵr University has been recognised by the Awarding Body at The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for delivering first class academic standards at postgraduate level.

The CIM commended the Wrexham University for the “excellent standard of results achieved” for assessments submitted in the summer.

Head of Business, Professor Chris Jones, was thrilled with the honour and thanked his team for their efforts ahead of the 2014/15 academic year.

Prof Jones was one of seven new heads of divisions unveiled by Vice Chancellor, Prof Michael Scott, in recent weeks, and says the future looks bright for Glyndŵr.

“This is a huge achievement, a seal of approval from the most prestigious marketing institute in the UK,” he said.

“It is a sign of quality and reflection on the standard of students we attract from undergraduate to postgraduate level.”

Susan Thomas, Head of the CIM Awarding Body, added: “Thank you for your hard work and commitment. Please pass our congratulations to all your tutors, staff and students.”

Prof Jones has taken a new approach to delivering business degrees this year, notably fresh courses including Accounting and Finance, Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management, Global Marketing, Marketing and Consumer Psychology, Entrepreneurship, and Sports Management.

A leading psychology department went from strength to strength after being given the seal of approval by a prestigious organisation.

Glyndŵr University has been reaccredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) for another five years.

The endorsement sees the Wrexham-based division remain among the best in the country, having submitted a 500-page document to secure the accolade for its BSc (Hons) Psychology.

Programme leader Phill de Prez said the accreditation was a major boost to Glyndŵr’s psychology department – one of the best in the country – and followed months of hard work, including a 500-page submission to the BPS.

“We are really pleased to have been reaccredited by the BPS, it’s a trademark of quality and adds value for students when they leave and look for employment,” said Phill.

The department also launched a postgraduate psychology degree to develop and motivate the next generation of business managers.

The new MSc Business Psychology is aimed at prospective students and companies interested in training staff to deal with conflict resolution, risk management and other skills critical to commercial growth.

Programme leader Vicki Woodward said there is evidence of a growing demand for business psychologists in industry

and government sectors, to coach teams, motivate employees with engagement and teamwork, help with health and safety issues and identify marketing strategies.

There is also an increasing need for them to train auditors or risk managers who make decisions about money lending as, according to research, 70% UK adults have financial difficulties impacting economic growth.

“The programme is designed to meet the needs of the jobs market, particularly for coaching and leadership within the world of business,” said Vicki.

“It is aimed at those who have a good undergraduate degree (2:1 or 2:2) in a related field such as Psychology or Business, and who are thinking about professional or personal development of psychology within a business or management environment.

“There is also an opportunity within the programme to specialise in fields where professional accreditation may be gained, for example, Psychometrics levels one and two, or Institute of Leadership and Management.”

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Autumn 2014

NEWS IN BRIEF...

A wheelchair basketball player trained at Glyndŵr University before picking up a gold medal with Team GB at the inaugural Invictus Games – just months after taking up the sport.

Alastair ‘AJ’ Pingram practised at Glyndŵr sports centre in Wrexham ahead of the Games, which took place in London.

The 38-year-old from Llangollen is one of the stars of Rhyl Raptors’ basketball squad.

A teaching assistant at Ysgol Dinas Bran, AJ was a professional hockey player with the Royal Navy before a freak accident saw him permanently damage both ankles in 2000.

He now walks with a stick and is forced to use a wheelchair over longer distances, but has a new-found lust for life after taking up basketball five months ago.

AJ is also making waves in rowing and is targeting the 2015 Rio Olympics, where he hopes to represent his country on court or in the water.

“Representing Great Britain at the first Invictus Games was a massive honour for me,” he said.

“I only took up wheelchair basketball earlier this year after being referred to a gym by my doctor and told to look at my fitness.

“I was chosen for the GB squad within a matter of weeks after attending a few sessions with Cheshire Phoenix.

“At the GB trials the work got harder and harder and people were dropping out

but I stuck with it and made it into the team, where I play at point guard.”

AJ added: “I’ve also been playing for Rhyl Raptors and trained at Glyndŵr University in the lead-up to the event. Wrexham seemed the perfect place to be to get focused and ready for the games, so I’d like to thank Glyndŵr for their support.”

Glyndŵr University will play a major role in developing netball in Lesotho and its students will have the opportunity to spend time at a high altitude training centre under a new agreement.

The university has established an action plan for its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lesotho, signed in 2013.

As the return of the Lesotho team for the Commonwealth games became a reality, other elements of the MOU agreed in 2013 will now move forward.

The plan is centred around the development of a High Altitude Training Centre, sports science and netball in Lesotho.

A scholarship, bursary and exchange programme for Glyndŵr University and the university of Lesotho’s students will also be established.

There are also plans to roll out a Dragon Sport programme in Lesotho. The scheme, led by Sport Wales, is designed to introduce children aged 7-11 to sports including athletics, cricket, tennis and football.

Details of the MOU action plan were

fleshed out when Team Lesotho were training in Wrexham ahead of their appearance at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have put in place a detailed action plan to work towards.

“It has some really exciting elements to it, which will hopefully benefit our own students and the development of sport in Lesotho.

“Everyone here at Glyndŵr University and in the town of Wrexham has really taken to the warmth and enthusiasm of Lesotho as our partnership has grown over a number of years.

“We hope that this action plan proves mutually beneficial to the development of sport at Glyndŵr University and in Lesotho.”

A 26-strong team of athletes competed for Team Lesotho at Glasgow 2014 in boxing, swimming, athletics, table tennis, road cycling and mountain biking.

The MOU action plan is due to be completed by 2018.

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The Glyndŵr University Staff Newspaper

Hollywood beckons for a revolutionary hologram company.

View Holographics, based at Glyndŵr University’s OpTIC Centre in St Asaph, were nominated for a prize at the International 3D & Advanced Imaging Society’s fifth annual Technology & New Product Awards, held at the end of this month.

Hosted by Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, the Denbighshire firm take on the might of Walt Disney Studios, Adobe, Dolby and Panasonic, amongst others.

Past nominees have included DreamWorks Animation, IMAX, RealD, Sony and many other leading technology developers in the entertainment industry.

Outstanding technologies and new products will be awarded the Lumiere Award, and the New Product Award, respectively.

The Lumiere award, which has been awarded to silver screen heavyweights

such as Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese and James Cameron, is the highest honour bestowed by the membership of the Society.

Winners will be chosen by a blue ribbon panel of technology and advanced imaging experts.

View Holographics’ CEO Geoff Andrews cited Glyndŵr University as a major supporter and partner in the growth of the business, which is making huge strides at home and overseas.

“During the past six years the company has met and exceeded every technology objective it has set itself,” said Geoff.

“We are now doing something no-one else in the world can do by producing full colour, double parallax, wide angle bright holograms using digital or analogue techniques.

“The holograms can project, move and morph. They are true 3D images.”

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Autumn 2014

Glyndŵr Wrexham Football AcademyFormer Liverpool striker Lee Jones says the Glyndŵr Wrexham Football Academy (GWFA) is one of the best things that ever happened to the Welsh club.

A £300,000 revamp over the summer saw the installation of a new playing surface, changing rooms, medical facilities and improved seating for disabled supporters at the Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium.

The university secured funding from the Football Association of Wales (FAW), Rugby Football League (RFL), Wrexham FC, Wrexham FC Disabled Supporters Association and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).

This followed the establishment of the Academy (GWFA) in March, a partnership between the university and the club which allows professional footballers to study for a degree while training and playing for Wrexham FC or a feeder club based in the Welsh football league.

During an interview with work experience student Aaron Davies, from Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, the former Liverpool and Dragons star, now heading up the Academy with Adam Owen, says none of this would have happened before the university purchased the Racecourse.

“The club has never had massive amounts of money and it’s the first time in 60 or 70 years that we’ve had a new pitch at the stadium,” he said.

“Establishing the Academy has helped to

take the relationship a step further. It couldn’t have started any better.

“We’ve brought in 16 players from professional clubs who wanted to study for a degree and the environment and set-up here has been perfect for them.”

Jones revealed that they built up the first Academy intake from a shortlist of 80 players initially identified by himself and Owen at the Exit Trials, an annual event for professional footballers released by clubs.

30 players made it through to interviews and a trial match at the Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium before the final squad was assembled.

A further 16 players are set to be added to the GWFA for each of the next two seasons, taking the total to 48 Academy players by the start of the 2016 football season.

Jones added: “We can provide a level of football which the players have become accustomed to and the university provides an education so it’s a perfect match.

“Joe Whittington and Corey Roper were the first two players from the Academy to travel with the first team squad when

they made the trip to Forest Green Rovers. That’s great for us, and obviously great for them.

“Corey was Leeds United captain from the age of eight to 18. Straight away we looked at him and thought he would be in the first team within 12 months.

He’s progressed fantastically since he joined us and really gone on to a higher level.

“All the lads have trained with the first

team and being involved with them gives every Academy player something to aspire to and a goal to work towards.

“Every player progresses at a different rate and we’re confident that two or three more will follow in the footsteps of Corey and Joe sooner rather than later.

“The gaffer [Wrexham FC boss Kevin Wilkin] recognises that this not just a university football team. The lads are registered players with the PFA just like every first team player. The Academy is an expansion of the pyramid at the club and it’s given him some more options when it comes to improving the squad and helping to improve the club on the field.”

Academic Study Skills- with Andrew Edwards

Winter WonderlandExciting times lie ahead for the Academic Study Skills team. We have now joined with colleagues in IT and the Library to create a new Learning Resources unit.

We have also moved location to the Library and Learning Resources Office, which is opposite our old desk on the ground floor of the Library.

Students are still able discuss their study skills needs and we will again be offering a range of study skills workshops during the next academic

year, which will be announced via email and social media. In addition, staff can still request workshops for their students by phoning extension 4437 or emailing academicstudyskills@glyndwr.ac.uk. Furthermore, we are working towards increasing our provision of online resources, so there is much more to come from us in the future.

Here is a reminder of what Study Skills covers:

A second annual fundraising ball will aim to raise record levels of cash to boost campus investment and improve student life at Glyndŵr University.

The Wrexham institution is holding the Winter Wonderland event at Llyndir Hall, Rossett, on Friday December 12.

Its first ever summer ball raised almost £8000 last year, and fundraising manager Suzanne Riley said they were aiming to exceed the figure this time.

She said: “Fundraising is a hugely valuable income stream for the university, helping to improve our offering for students and develop a better campus for everyone to enjoy.

“We were delighted with the response we had to the event last time and we’re confident this one will be equally, if not more, successful.”

The Winter Wonderland Fundraising Ball will be hosted by Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University.

Tables are priced at £650 + VAT and include Bucks Fizz and Canapes on arrival, a three course meal and unlimited drinks.

All proceeds go towards supporting one of Glyndŵr University’s four fundraising priorities - student experience, academic excellence, community engagement and campus development.

Dress code is black tie and long cocktail dresses. The event runs from 7pm to midnight.

Glyndŵr University launched its new fundraising arm in 2013 to support and preserve higher education in north east Wales.

Welsh Government funding is now a very small percentage of Glyndŵr University’s income as there is a new fee structure in place and the university

itself is a registered charity – any money it generates is invested back into new buildings, services, research and the community.

As well as the inaugural fundraising ball, the university launched a fundraising contest which saw the Yale Stand at the Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium rebranded as the Utilities Connection Management Ltd (UCML) stand for the 2014/5 football season.

Businesses were given the chance to win the naming rights for an entry of £250 into a random draw earlier this year. Every entrant received an advert in a matchday programme.

For more information on the Winter Wonderland Fundraising Ball or to book a table email s.riley@glyndwr.ac.uk or call 01978 293007.

The second Study Skills Conference at Glyndŵr University took place on June 18. Entitled ‘Evolution or Revolution? Innovations in Study Skills and E-Learning’, it focused on the diversity of need with regard to Study Skills and E-learning. Professor David Crystal, noted Shakespearean Scholar and

Honorary Professor of Linguistics at Bangor University, gave a marvellous keynote speech entitled ‘Language and the Internet’, which was complemented by a range of useful and thought provoking sessions. Feedback on the day was overwhelmingly positive.

Aaron and Lee

St AsaphScientists polishing mirrors for a £900million telescope achieved another world-first.

Led by Project Manager Tony Fox-Leonard, the team at Glyndŵr University St Asaph polished the 1.5 metre optic down to just 7.5 nanometres – which equates to around the size of a haemoglobin molecule.

It is the best measurement ever managed in the UK and was produced for ESO’s (European Southern Observatory) European-Extremely Large Telescope.

It is the first time such a feat has ever been achieved using computer-operated machinery, coupled with the university’s unique polishing process and metrology system.

The news arrived just six months after the Glyndŵr team, with the support of collaborators, met the ESO compliance figure of < 15nm over the full optical aperture.

Once completed, the giant eye on the sky will gather light from distant stars and galaxies, be 39 metres in diameter, made of 798 segments and located on Mount Cerro Armazones in Chile, where it is set to gather 15 times more light than the largest telescopes around today.

Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Scott said the team at St Asaph deserved huge credit for achieving the ESO specification and said they will now look to build on that and contribute to procuring the eventual manufacturing contract for all of the mirrors required for the telescope, securing high technology jobs in Denbighshire.

“The team in St Asaph have once again proved they are at the cutting edge of technology with another world-first,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Scott.

“Their efforts have helped to put Glyndŵr University on the map and garnered the respect of the global optics industry. We are all extremely proud of them and would again like

to congratulate Tony and his team for their hard work and innovation.”

Since acquiring The OpTIC Centre in St Asaph in 2009, Glyndŵr University has made huge strides with a number of projects, including the world-leading ESO team’s ground.

Glyndŵr Innovations, the commercial arm of the university, was named fastest growing company in Wales in 2012 and fourth-fastest last year, as well as topping the Creative and Knowledge Industries category for the second time in a row.

And in 2013/14 alone, The OpTIC Centre won contracts with external partners totalling more than £500,000, having won over £2m in research grants.

Glyndŵr’s own technology groups have also gone from strength to strength, according to Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) Director, Professor Stuart Irvine.

“Since 2008, CSER has grown from a small team of six to over 15, carrying out world class research in photovoltaic solar energy and working with industry to develop new opportunities,” he said.

“We’ve already attracted over £5m of new investment and worked with over 40 companies; this could not have been achieved without the unique facilities at OpTIC.”

VIP visitors have included Prime Minister David Cameron, First Ministers Rhodri Morgan and Carwyn Jones, Labour Party leader Ed Miliband and Karren Brady, vice-chair of West Ham FC and a star of BBC’s The Apprentice.

Among the businesses housed on-site in cutting-edge incubation units at OpTIC are View Holographics, Kent Periscopes, MC Diagnostics, and Zeeko, innovative and high-technology firms all reporting strong growth and clearly benefiting from the facilities on offer.

The next GEM business breakfast takes place in St Asaph on October 15. Outperform’s Dawn Roberts, from Abergele, will present ‘Serve to Sell’ from 8.30am. The event is free.

Autumn 2014

07

The Glyndŵr University Staff Newspaper

Campus Round-UpThe North East Wales ‘knowledge corridor’ encompasses Glyndŵr

University’s campuses in Wrexham, Northop and St Asaph. The university is growing all of the time, and with GUL (Glyndŵr University London) going through a period of change the future looks bright for the institution. Here’s

the latest from our other campuses.

NorthopHorticulture Wales flew the flag for the nation’s plant growers – and Glyndŵr University – at the largest trade event of its kind in the UK.

The Northop campus-based supply chain efficiency project organised a shared exhibition stand at September’s Four Oaks Trade Show in Cheshire, giving Welsh growers the chance to showcase their plants and flowers to thousands of potential customers.

Decked out with striking Welsh flags, bunting, and other patriotic branding, the Horticulture Wales stand hosted plants from two nurseries, Quinky Young Plants from Cilgerran, which produces a range of alpine plants and herbs, and Pottles Premier Plants from Holywell, Flintshire, which specialises in hardy nursery stock such as shrubs and climbers.

Now in its 44th year, Four Oaks Trade Show is well-established as the UK’s leading ornamental plant

event, with this year’s sell-out gathering attracting more than 430 exhibitors and thousands of buyers, landscapers, retailers, and garden centre representatives. A third of

exhibitors, as well as a significant number of attendees, came from

overseas horticultural strongholds such as the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium, giving great international exposure to Horticulture Wales, Glyndŵr University, and the participating Welsh growers.

The appearance at Four Oaks Trade Show rounded off a busy summer for the Horticulture Wales team. July’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show saw the project launch its new online Crop Calculator tool aimed at helping fruit and vegetable growers accurately evaluate the commercial potential of their crops, while it has also hosted successful study tours to the Netherlands for ornamental plant growers, and to Worcestershire to learn about hops growing.

GREEN ISSUESwith Dr Jan Green, senior lecturer and change strategist in Business Management

What’s in a strap line and should it be changed? Not for this issue of Buzz as green was to the forefront of a recent business module – Social Responsibility Advantage – delivered on the Executive MBA programme.

The modular content included a widely-cited term ‘green washing’ which has origins in the hotel sector. How many times have you carefully followed the ‘we care about the environment’ notice and put once-used towels back onto the rail in your hotel bathroom? Outcome – you return to your room and find all the towels have been replaced. There is a message behind the

message – do what you say you are going to.Business summer school was, again, a sell-

out and the students looked younger than ever. This year there was a noticeable reduction in the number of students from Spain and this may be a reflection of the economic situation in that part of Europe. The focus of summer school is on creating customer value and talent management, both core issues for successful businesses of all sizes and judging by the lively atmosphere in the classrooms and on the corridors the party element of summer school remains high on the agenda.

A new start-up, Shopwalk3D.com approached the business department to help with a launch campaign and the early results, using Twitter, have been promising. This project used the SIP programme to link business activity with modular content. The timing enabled the fast-track entrepreneurship students to use the launch as a case study; this was particularly useful in Entrepreneurial Marketing and The Art of Selling.

There was a good turnout at the launch when the co-founder Nick Allen, pictured right with Jan Green presented the benefits of a smaller business becoming involved in this new addition to the shopping portfolio. Student

research had indicated the surprisingly high percentage of privately owned businesses that still operate without the support of a website – Shopwalk3D aims to focus on this sector, providing them with a web presence.

For a smaller business confidence can be an issue and with the help of our business

students a realistic pricing structure and return for the company has been devised. With leads coming in from across the region, this is a demonstration of what can be achieved with a very low budget and access to a pool of creative people. We’re in business!

Dr Louise Jones

Jan Green with Nick Allen

(L-R) Mark Pottle, Pottles Premier Plants, Karen Rodenburg, Horticulture Wales, Charles Warner, Quinky Young Plants

The Glyndŵr University Staff Newspaper

08

Autumn 2014

What’s happening in the world of social media... INSTINST

“I’m a GU Fresher!” selfieEveryone seems to be taking ‘selfies’ and posting them on social media these days. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past couple of months, a ‘selfie’ is a photograph taken of oneself – usually within arm’s length.

So with them being so popular, we

thought we would get in on the act and encourage our new students to post an “I’m a GU Fresher!” selfie on social media by using our polaroid-style frames.

It’s a bit of fun for our newbies, encouraging them to send us a ‘selfie’ of themselves having a good time out and about during Freshers’ Fortnight, and then ‘tag’ us in on their photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We will then

feature the best in an online gallery for all to see.Although Freshers hadn’t started when we went

to print, we’ve already had a few snapping selfies – including our Students’ Guild officers (pictured).

But it’s not just for our first years, anyone can get involved – including staff! So if you see one of the frames around campus, take a selfie and tag us in on Twitter - @glyndwruni, on Facebook – glyndwruni or on Instagram – glyndwrunioffical. Looking forward to seeing your selfies!

By Andrea Hilditch, Careers AdviserBurst, cram and squeeze it all in?Picture the scene: the engine is switched on, students have filled their cars to bursting with all the paraphernalia needed for living away from home, they then throw in one last kitchen utensil and say a quick prayer before hopefully hearing the comforting click of a fully closed boot. It’s followed by being herded into lecture theatres and seminar rooms - first year students trying to capture all the new information needed; final year students trying to keep their head above water with the pressure of dissertations, portfolios, more assignments and presentations.

Burst, cram, squeeze and… panic? The start of a new academic year signals a lot of trying to ‘fit everything in’, in some form or other. And then along we come, the Careers Centre team, telling students that they also need to fit in things like work experience and making new contacts - don’t we realise there is already so much to do by learning how to write assignments and understanding this Harvard Referencing properly to pass an assignment?

Well, yes, we do know, however we also know that it would be worse for students if they found out too late that their degree was only one part of the puzzle of student and graduate life. It’s not that we want to overload them with ‘stuff’ to do, but if students treat their career in the same way as that full-to-bursting car, trying to cram everything in at last minute and then hoping that a good graduate job will turn up at the end, it could end in disaster. For that reason, we encourage students to follow some simple steps: l Break your career goals into manageable

steps – working with us from an early stage allows students to gather a steady pace and momentum, especially by building up work experience and contacts, perhaps via

Glydwr Temps jobs or jobs advertised on the Jobshop.

l Reflect often – thinking back to what you have done at the end of each term or each year is so much easier than having to cast your memory back all the way to the first year as you’re leaving and the help of a Careers Adviser can make it even easier.

l Attend our Career Development Learning sessions and inductions…. but if you don’t take it all in, at least make a note of how to get hold of us.

l Ask for help – it’s ok to ask for extra help and that’s what we’re here for. Some students and graduates prefer to come and see us on their own for advice and guidance, work experience support, help with completing application forms or CVs and doing some interview preparation.

l Chat to us at the monthly Roadshows – an informal chat with us could make a difference and we have events around campus at various venues. See Moodle and our social media pages for details.

So, we want our students to avoid the pain of that bursting-cramming-squeezing-careers-last-minute-panic at all costs. However, we would always recommend trying to fit in an extra can opener into the glove box, just there, right in between the bottle of washing up liquid and tube of toothpaste… and maybe another can of hairspray.

Contact the Careers Centre on 01978 293240 or www.glyndwr.ac.uk/careers for more information about any of our services.

Please ask at sports centre reception for details or call 01978 293275

Glyndŵr University Sport Fitness Suite OfferOffer 1 - Year long Membership £150

Offer 2 - Membership £45

Until19th December 2014Terms and ConditionsApply

The Money Doctor- Jenny JonesA major change that has happened during the summer, which will impact on students all over Wales, is the removal of the Discretionary Financial Contingency Fund.

Introduced in 1991, it was designed to support people experiencing financial difficulties who might leave their courses if they did not have additional help.

This fund accounted for £120,000 of additional support that was offered to Glyndŵr students in the academic year 2013/2014, and so has become a very important tool for the Student Funding and Welfare team to assist those in genuine financial distress. So important is this fund that it has been re-instated by the Welsh Government, only a month after its withdrawal, due to the outcry from universities all across Wales, but only for one year.

There is a misconception that people intelligent enough to attend university must be equally as capable in other aspects of their lives, and money is one of them. But this is not the case at all. There is no average student any more.

Many students come to university with heavy personal and financial responsibilities which are not resolved simply by pursuing a course of study. The discretionary fund is an essential element to the range of help that can be offered to students and highlights the need for them to think about budgeting and financial

capability.Often the

Discretionary Fund is accessed for reasons that could not have been foreseen. Those testing times that life likes to throw at us, which students are not immune to, but a lack of budgeting skills and financial understanding makes up the majority of applications that Funding and Welfare see.

If this fund is to be withdrawn, students will leave education because that emergency support is not available and so learning how to budget, before coming to university is even more essential.

The Student Funding and Welfare team know their stuff and have identified thousands of pounds of additional funding that is available for students to apply for, that they were not aware of. With this in mind the Freshers’ campaign for this year is asking students to find out if that have the correct funding for their course and whether there is any additional cash that they can apply for.

With the proposed Financial Literacy (Wales) Bill hopefully becoming a reality, being good with money will become a crucial element in constructing a successful life.

Oriel Sycharch GalleryPUBLISHING AND CENSORSHIP

30 September – 17 November 2014Private View 30 September 5 – 7pm

A collection of works selected by Rory McCartneyCensorship raises complex cultural, philosophical, political and ethical questions regarding authorship. The works in this show highlight how the limitations of censorship can be explored and dissected with creative outcomes. This exhibition comprises a selection of published works, within those debates, that vary in format, period, and geographic origin. Comparisons can be drawn between contemporary and historical material; high and low culture in printed form; recorded sound and moving image.The exhibition is comprised of a selection of artefacts dating from 1585 through to contemporary items. The books, posters, prints, photographs and sound recordings shape a discussion around the suppression of public communication, and the cultural and political effects of a censored press.The exhibition includes work by Caravaggio, Francisco Goya, Alexander Rodchenko, Kourosh Yaghmaei and Patrick Cariou vs. Richard Prince.

WHITE LIES24 November 2014 – 15 January 2015Private View 24 November

Estelle Thompson paintings and works on paper curated by Charles Danby.

THE METHODIST MODERN ART COLLECTION

Heaven & Earth19 January – 26 March 2015 Opening Event 19 January

The Methodist Modern Art Collection will be on display at Wrexham Methodist Church and the Oriel Sycharth Gallery. This is a unique compilation of 20th Century Christian art including more than 40 works by Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frink, Ceri Richards and many other renowned artists. During the exhibition there will be a series of related events, tours, talks and workshops which are free to attend and open to all members of the public.The exhibition will be open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm at both locations.