Latest news with #UWTSD
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
WS Marketing and UWTSD Announce Partnership for Welsh Awards
PR, marketing and events agency WS Marketing has announced a sponsorship agreement with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) for the 2025 Welsh Law Awards, South Wales Business Awards and Welsh Fitness Awards. The agreement gives the university's students hands-on experience in helping to manage and deliver the awards. Wesley Skene, Founder of WS Marketing, said: 'We are delighted to announce this sponsorship agreement with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. To have one of the leading Welsh universities on board for 2025 is something we are incredibly proud of. However, the opportunity to provide students with industry leading work experience and networking opportunities is fantastic. University of Wales Trinity Saint David students are always of the highest academic rigour and to create opportunities for them to develop contacts and real-time CPD before graduation is a key goal of ours.' Dr Bronwen Williams JP MStJ, Academic Director at UWTSD's Swansea School of Law, said: 'Swansea Law School (SLS) is based at the SA1 Waterfront campus and offers three pathways of programmes: Law, Criminology and Emergency Services at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. 'We offer the traditional LLB Law and LLB Law & Legal Practice routes into law, as well as the LLB Law with Criminology programme. These programmes develop students' skills in the foundations of law and help prepare them for a career in legal practice and the wider legal profession. 'Swansea Law School works closely with law firms in Wales to maintain relevancy of content and professional practice input into the modules, and to provide work experience and placement opportunities for the students. SLS is proud to be the only university in Wales to be able to offer the Welsh Legal Apprenticeship in collaboration with our college partners, CILEx, and law firms and legal departments across the whole of Wales. 'UWTSD Swansea Law School is delighted to be the feature sponsor of the Welsh Law Awards, which showcases the best of legal representation in Wales and celebrates those legal professionals who go above and beyond to support their clients through their legal issues. We are particularly delighted to be able recognise an outstanding student with the inaugural Student of the Year award.' Robyn Griffiths MBA, PGCE, FHEA – BA Business Management Programme Manager, said: 'UWTSD's Swansea Business School's cutting edge, vibrant SA1 Waterfront campus, offers a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programmes designed to support learners at every stage of their professional and academic journey. From entry-level qualifications such as the Certificate of Higher Education in Employability Skills, to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Business Management and Accounting and professional qualifications such as CIPD, and even doctoral study; we pride ourselves on offering a truly holistic and flexible business education experience. 'At the heart of our approach is a commitment to applied learning. We work closely with industry to ensure that our teaching is grounded in the real world, whether that's through expert-led modules, tailored work placement opportunities, or our integration of digital technologies to future-proof our graduates' skills. We combine traditional academic rigour with an unwavering dedication to pastoral care, small class sizes, and open-door policies, enabling us to deliver a personalised, supportive learning environment. 'Swansea Business School is extremely proud to be the feature sponsor of the South Wales Business Awards, an event that celebrates the very best of entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation across the region. As part of this year's celebration, we are also delighted to recognise a Swansea Business School Student in the Student of the Year award. For us, it's not just about achievement, it is about widening participation and the potential that is realised when the right challenge meets the right support and is given the right opportunities.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lampeter UWTSD campus plans progress with purchase of £1.8m farm
A council has bought a farm valued at more than £1.8m as part of plans to deliver vocational and post-16 courses including agriculture on a university council leader Brian Davies said a loan was provided by the Welsh government to enable the authority to buy the farm, which adjoins the University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) campus in the start of the year UWTSD announced undergraduate teaching at the campus would end in September, with students able to continue their studies in authority said its aim was to "secure a sustainable future for the campus" by developing new courses there. Following the announcement about the future of the campus there were concerns in Lampeter about the impact the course closures would have on the the time, almost 6,000 people signed a petition calling on the university to provide a sustainable future for the historic recent months university chiefs have been in discussion with Ceredigion council about using part of the local authority has now said the campus plans to deliver post-16 vocational courses with an emphasis on agriculture, horticulture, gastronomy and construction. Davies said buying the neighbouring 150-acre farm, including outbuildings and a farmhouse, was "crucial" for the delivery of a post-16 course in agriculture which was not currently available in the rural said Welsh government ministers had been "kept in the loop" about the council's plans from the very outset, adding: "They can see the benefits of the vision here, and they were happy to give us the money to purchase the farm."An online advert for the farm - called Llettytwppa - listed an asking price of more than £1.8m. Davies would not specify how much the council had paid for it, but said it was "the market value". The Lampeter campus is the oldest in Wales and has been described as the birthplace of higher education in the country. It was founded in 1822 as St David's College to provide education for members of the time a range of new courses were introduced, and it developed into a university, teaching both undergraduates and in recent years the number of students in Lampeter declined and in January UWTSD confirmed 200 years of undergraduate teaching would come to an end, with humanities courses being transferred to its campus in Carmarthen in university had said previously that, with just 92 undergraduate students, it was "not viable" to maintain the infrastructure of the campus, which cost £2.7m per year to March UWTSD started to meet with stakeholders, including Ceredigion council, to discuss what were described as "viable proposals" for the future of the campus, and, in June, UWTSD and Ceredigion council said they were exploring plans to develop post-16 vocational training at the council said other vocational and skills-based courses would be developed over the next three years and it aimed to provide additional community facilities on the site.A-level courses would not be provided on the campus, which could not compete with school sixth forms in terms of academic provision, the council added. Davies said the campus had "significant potential" and the local authority wanted "to secure a sustainable future for the campus".He added the vocational courses would enable students to develop the skills required to meet employer needs around the region, with young people able to stay in their communities. Emlyn Dole, chair of the university's council, said the purchase was an "exciting opportunity" which would strengthen community links and support the rural economy.A series of public meetings are to be held over the coming months to discuss the plans.
Business News Wales
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business News Wales
Lecturer Invited to 10 Downing Street for Championing Women in Motorsport
Abi Penny Abi Penny, a Senior Lecturer in Motorsport Engineering at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's Swansea Waterfront campus (UWTSD), was invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate 75 years of Formula 1 and the remarkable contributions of women in motorsport through the Girls on Track UK programme. The reception at the Prime Minister's residence recognised members of the Girls on Track UK community, an initiative by Motorsport UK aimed at encouraging and supporting young women to pursue careers in motorsport, from engineering and design to media and race-day operations. Abi's invitation reflects her significant impact in promoting gender equality in motorsport and engineering education, the university said. With nearly two decades of experience, she has become a leading advocate for inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated industry. 'To be recognised at Number 10 alongside such inspiring women from across the UK motorsport community is an honour I will never forget,' said Abi, who lives in Swansea. 'Motorsport has been my lifelong passion, and it's incredibly rewarding to help create opportunities for the next generation of female engineers. Through initiatives like Girls on Track and our work at UWTSD, we are showing young girls that this exciting, innovative industry is for everyone.' As one of the very first institutions to launch a dedicated BEng in Motorsport Engineering – celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, UWTSD has played a pioneering role in shaping motorsport education. The programme boasts a growing number of female students, now reaching 10% representation, double the historic average. Abi's work with Girls on Track UK, alongside her academic leadership at UWTSD, has been instrumental in challenging outdated stereotypes and supporting young women to thrive in a high-performance, fast-paced sector. 'We are incredibly proud of Abi and the work she does to break down barriers in motorsport,' said Dr Mark Cocks, Dean of the University's Wales Institute of Science and Art. 'Her invitation to 10 Downing Street is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication, advocacy, and impact, not only in engineering education but also in empowering the next generation of women in STEM.' The Girls on Track UK reception highlighted the UK's global leadership in motorsport, an industry that contributes £16 billion to the economy and supports over 50,000 jobs nationwide. Abi Penny's presence at the event marked a significant moment for both UWTSD and for the wider mission to create a more inclusive and representative future for motorsport.
Business News Wales
26-06-2025
- Science
- Business News Wales
Swansea's Former Woolworths Building at Centre of £3m Research Project
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is playing a leading role in a major new UK-wide project that has secured £3 million in funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The project, Retrofitting for the Future: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation, brings together a consortium of academic and societal partners to explore how biophilic design – working with nature rather than against it – can help urban areas adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change. The four-year transdisciplinary project, which is one of only three selected across the UK through the AHRC's new Mission Awards, will investigate how older urban buildings and public spaces can be reimagined as sustainable, liveable places that promote human and ecological well-being. The project's flagship case study is the transformation of Swansea's former Woolworths building, now The Biome, into the UK's first retrofitted 'living building', integrating housing, commercial, community and education spaces with nature at its core. Dr Jeremy Smith, Dean of the Institute of Education and Humanities from University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said: 'This award reflects the bold, collaborative thinking required to address the climate and nature emergencies. I'm especially proud of UWTSD's leadership in this work, which brings the arts, humanities, and sciences together with civic and community partners to explore how we can make urban life healthier, greener and more resilient. This is not only about buildings – it's about people, place, and the futures we're building together.' The research team at UWTSD will lead key strands of the project focusing on the cultural, social, ecological, and policy dimensions of biophilic retrofitting. Working in close collaboration with industry, housing, health, education and policy partners, the team will identify and overcome the technical, regulatory and behavioural barriers that hinder the adoption of nature-based solutions in cities. Dr Luci Attala, Deputy Executive Director of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES global coalition and Associate Professor in Anthropology at UWTSD, added: 'Retrofitting for the Future aligns with Wales's Well-being of Future Generations Act and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. We urgently need to rethink the way we live in cities not just structurally, but emotionally and ecologically. Our research is grounded in co-creation and lived experience, ensuring that the voices of residents, creatives, and communities shape the future of urban living. This project offers a blueprint for how we can retrofit not just our buildings, but our relationships with nature, each other, and the systems that govern us.' The consortium includes University College London, Swansea University, Hacer Developments, Pobl Group, Natural Resources Wales, and the City and County of Swansea Council, along with a range of local and international partners.
Business News Wales
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business News Wales
Breaking Barriers in Motorsport Engineering
Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I feel incredibly fortunate that it has also become my career. For the past 18 years, I've had the pleasure of lecturing in Motorsport Engineering at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), and what a journey it has been. During that time, the field has evolved dramatically. We've seen rapid and sometimes groundbreaking technological advances, from significant improvements in simulation techniques to the development of hybrid powertrains. The role of an engineer has expanded and diversified and it's an incredibly exciting time to be part of this industry. However, one thing that hasn't changed enough is the number of women pursuing careers in motorsport engineering. Over the years, I've seen some incredibly talented young women enrol on our courses, graduate, and go on to have fulfilling careers. But until recently their numbers have been small, about 5 per cent compared to the men. For many years, I was the only woman in our motorsport department. I'm happy to say there are now two of us, but the wider industry still has work to do. This enduring imbalance raises an important question: why does the stereotype persist, and what can we do to change it? The old image of engineers covered in grease and wearing overalls is largely outdated. Today, engineering roles are diverse—some still involve hands-on work, which appeals to many, but others focus on software, data analysis, and simulation. You can thrive in this industry and still wear heels and have great nails if you want to! Motorsport is global, offering opportunities to travel, build international careers, and work with world-leading teams. It's an exciting, dynamic field with excellent pay, strong maternity benefits, and a real sense of camaraderie. You don't even have to be a 'petrol head' to succeed, although an aptitude for maths certainly helps! I was lucky. I grew up with a rally-mad father who was delighted when I chose motorsport, and an independent, feminist mother who constantly reminded me that 'women can do anything.' Add to that a few brilliant maths teachers at Llangatwg Comprehensive and St John Baptist School, and I had the support I needed to achieve my A-levels and secure a place at university. Since my school days, the curriculum has shifted to emphasise STEM subjects, helping to address the national skills shortage. But we can do more to support girls early on, encouraging them to stick with maths and science and helping them see engineering as an accessible and exciting career. Fantastic initiatives like F1 in Schools and Green Power are inspiring young people to dream big. Here at UWTSD, we're proud to support Girls on Track, Motorsport UK's programme that introduces school-aged girls to the diverse world of motorsport, from pit stop challenges to media and presenting roles. Change is happening. Women now make up 10 per cent of the workforce in motorsport and for the first time, we've achieved that same percentage on our motorsport programmes at UWTSD. To celebrate, we're running a series of activities to build a stronger community of female engineers, hoping to create a supportive network that encourages even more girls to consider this fantastic career. Last year marked the 25th anniversary of our BEng Motorsport Engineering Degree Programme, the first of its kind in the world. Thanks to the vision of former lecturer Roger Dowden who started the course and guidance from the Motorsport Industry Association, our graduates have become valuable assets in motorsport and high-performance automotive industries worldwide. Many have gone on to work for prestigious companies like McLaren, Gordon Murray, Bentley, Ford, Arc, and Toyota Gazoo Racing. Our close ties with industry advisors ensure that our course remains relevant, practical, and academically rigorous. This blend of theory and real-world application is our unique strength, and it makes our graduates stand out. I believe we're on the right track. By continuing to challenge stereotypes, build supportive communities, and celebrate the successes of women in motorsport, we can create a future where gender is no barrier to pursuing a thrilling, rewarding engineering career. And to all the young girls out there dreaming big: believe me when I say that you can do anything.
