CampusTheMagazine for University of Wales Alumni

Summer 2012

�� Lord Morris Book Launch

�� Alumni Finalist for the 2012 Indianapolis Prize

�� Alumni Association Branch & Section News

�� Graduation Celebration 2012

�� Hannah McKeand: Polar Explorer

www.wales.ac.uk/alumni

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Welcome from yourAlumni Officer

This year’s edition of Campusmagazine is full of news and events.As well as providing an opportunity tocelebrate the achievements of ourAlumni, it is a resource to keep youinformed and updated about thevarious activities undertaken withinthe University over the past year.

As the Vice-Chancellor has alreadymentioned, the past year has been fullof change. These changes, however,should not affect Alumni members inany way. As Alumni Officer, I willcontinue to be the main point of contactfor all Alumni members, supportingthem throughout the entire process, andmembers will be entitled to all theservices which are currently offered.

There has been some development tothe Alumni pages on the website overrecent months so that they better servethe specific needs of the Alumni. Thisincludes the addition of a brand newdedicated Alumni News Feed where allof the features and events are Alumnibased. It is a chance for Alumni to get intouch and share their own news. Visitwww.wales.ac.uk/AlumniNews

If you have any news, photographs oralumni events which you would like toshare then I would love to hear fromyou. This is your magazine and I wouldwelcome any comments or suggestionson any aspect of both this, and theAlumni Association itself.

I very much hope you enjoy reading thisyear’s edition of Campus.

Jocelyn KeedwellCommunications Officer (Alumni)alumni@wales.ac.uk

Welcomefrom the Vice-Chancellor

Lord Morris autobiography

Bridging the gap toSilicon Valley

2012 Indianapolis Prize

2012 GraduationCelebration

Hannah McKeand:Polar Explorer

Profile: General Phiyega

Scholarships

4 8International GraduationCeremonies

Double BAFTA winfor UW Graduate 10

12Contents

The past year has been a year ofmany changes within theUniversity of Wales. In order to be

in a position to respond to the needs ofstudents, both in Wales and furtherafield, the University has decided tomerge with the University of Wales:Trinity Saint David and SwanseaMetropolitan University.

In October 2011 it was agreed that themerger should proceed under the 1828Charter of the University of Wales: TrinitySaint David, the oldest higher educationCharter in the United Kingdom after thatof Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Within a period of strategic change, as welook to the future, we should not forget ourpast and the thousands of students overthe years who have successfully graduatedwith a Wales award. It is important tostress that these current changes within the University will not affect University ofWales Alumni in any way.

The transformed University will want to celebrate and embrace the thousands ofalumni around the world who hold a Wales degree. The University of Wales degreeand the University of Wales name have a strong legacy and are widely recognisedand highly regarded by employers worldwide. Graduates will still retain the Universityof Wales award that they received upon graduation and will continue to be valuedmembers of the University of Wales Alumni Association, receiving the same servicesthat they receive now.

Professor Medwin Hughes DL DPhil DPS FRSA.Vice-Chancellor

Vice-Chancellor,Professor Medwin Hughes

Alumni Association Branch& Section News

German Branch10th anniversary 6 14

Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 3

The publishing trade awards arepresented every two years, and this yearthe ceremony coincided with the WelshBooks Council’s 50th anniversarycelebrations.

During the ceremony, 18 different awardswere presented, including categories forbest-selling titles and most popular librarybooks, in addition to recognising the bestin the fields of design and production.

This year, for the first time, an additionalaward category was added, namely fordesign and production in the field ofEnglish and Welsh-language books.

The specially commissioned trophies weredesigned by Carwyn Evans, the Cardiff-based artist, winner of the Fine Arts Prizeat the National Eisteddfod in 2009.

University collaborates withSME Chamber of IndiaThe University of Wales Global Academy is currently working with the Small &Medium Business Development Chamber of India (SME Chamber of India) todevelop the ‘Innovation potential’ of the members and wider SME audience.

India is the third largest economy in the world and is growing at approximately9% every year. The country is on track to be one of the strongest economicpowerhouses of the world.

It is estimated that around 17 millionSMEs currently operate in Indiaaccounting for 40% of India’s industrialmanufacturing output and 49% of itsexports. The SME Chamber of India is oneof the largest SME business networkingorganisations in India with over 15,000members.

In March 2012, a delegation of IndianSME representative visited Wales to meetwith members of the University’s GlobalAcademy to share best practice on how tobridge the gap between academia andindustry.

A networking event was held in theUniversity’s newly acquired DylanThomas Centre in Swansea as anopportunity for Welsh businesses with aninterest in collaborating with Indiancompanies to invest in India.

Following the event, A. Ramesh Kumar,Chairman of the SME Chamber ofIndia said:“Integrating academia andindustry is vital to ensuring theprosperity of Indian business. Coming toWales has given me an increasedunderstanding of the entrepreneurialeffort which is being applied here at the

UW PressStrikes Gold inPublishingTrade Awards

The University of Wales Press havebeen awarded the Best Design andProduction award for its celebratedtitle, Cerddi Dafydd ap Gwilym byProfessor Dafydd Johnston, in March’sPublishing Trade Awards ceremony.

University of Wales, to cultivate astrong network of knowledge betweenhigher education and SMEs.

My hope is that this visit will help Welshand Indian SMEs work closer togetherfor the mutual benefit of our greatcountries.”

The Global Academy will be working withthe SME Chamber of India to furtherdevelop and enhance the trade potentialbetween SMEs in India and Wales.

The Global Academy will also assist indeveloping and delivering an openinnovation based strategy to encouragecommercialisation of new and uniqueideas within Indian SMEs throughdifferent initiatives. The project will becarried out by three research scholarswho will also be expected to complete aPhD on their work.

A. Ramesh Kumar (Chairman of the SME Chamber of India) chats to fellow delegates..

Head of UW Press, Helgard Krause,receives the award

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Twin launch in London and Cardiff forLord Morris autobiography

Wales’s Millennium Centre in Cardiff Baywas the venue for the second launch.Speakers there comprised of The FirstMinister of Wales Carwyn Jones AM, JohnDavies, Professor Peter Stead, the Rt HonLord Morris of Aberavon KG QC andDirector of the University of Wales Press,Helgard Krause.

Having represented Aberavon as its LabourMP from 1959, Lord Morris retired as thelongest serving Welsh MP in 2001. He isone of only a small handful of Labourministers to have held office under HaroldWilson, James Callaghan and Tony Blair.

His autobiography provides a fascinatinginsight into personalities and events

InOctober 2011, FFiiffttyy YYeeaarrss IInnPPoolliittiiccss aanndd LLaaww,, the newautobiography of Lord Morris of

Aberavon, was celebrated in two launchevents, organised by its publisher theUniversity of Wales Press.

On Monday 17 October 2011, the Houseof Commons in London played host to thefirst launch event which was attended by anumber of Lord Morris’s peers, luminariesin the field of law, MPs and literaryenthusiasts. Speakers included the Rt HonPaul Murphy MP; Bafta-winning journalist,Huw Edwards; Professor Lord Morgan; theUniversity of Wales Vice-Chancellor,Professor Medwin Hughes and AssistantEditor of the Guardian, Michael White.

Huw Edwards, Lord Kenneth O Morgan, Lord Morris, Paul Murphy MP and Michael White of the Guardian: Photo Angharad Watkins

First Minister speaks at Cardiff Launch

Welsh companies linked to the GlobalAcademy and Prince of Wales InnovationScholarship (POWIS) scheme presentedtheir work at the 5th annual IrishTechnology Leadership Group (ITLG)Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley.

The event, a two-day gathering of SiliconValley entrepreneurs and investors tookplace in March 2012, at the Hyatt Regencyin Santa Clara, California.

encountered from childhood in mid-Wales, entry into politics in the late 1950s,appointment to Secretary of State forWales in 1974 and the devolution era ofthe 1970s; and finally to his role asAttorney General for England and Walesat the end of the 1990s.

Extraordinary events such as hisinvolvement in the decision to bombKosovo are included in the book, as well ashis role in the development andimplementation of devolution for Wales,and his tireless efforts to promote theWelsh language.

Speaking of his new book, Lord Morrissaid: “My tale recounts the riding of twohorses, politics and the law, for over fiftyyears and focuses on my relationshipwith the three Prime Ministers underwhom I served – Wilson, Callaghan andBlair. Since all my life has beenconcerned with Welsh politics it tracesthe part I played and the developmentof the idea of devolution.”

Today, Lord Morris is Chancellor of theUniversity of Glamorgan, a position hehas held since 2002.

Global Academy bridges the gap to Silicon Valley

The ITLG innovation summit hosts atechnology showcase where attendees getan inside look at the cutting-edgetechnology, business and political trendscreating the most exciting and profitablenew opportunities in the world. The eventbrings over 1,000 senior executives from allthe major Silicon Valley companiestogether to meet representatives ofInternational IT, e-business and cloudcomputing companies.

Richie Turner, Head of Marketing andExternal Relations for the GlobalAcademy, said following the Summit:“Global Academy is delighted to havetaken its first delegation of Welshcompanies and POWIS Scholars as well asrepresentatives from both the WelshGovernment Creative Industries Panel andlocal government, to the ITLG InnovationSummit in Silicon Valley. Through thisamazing network we hope that ourcompanies can secure customers orinvestment in addition to tapping in to thebiggest ICT & digital network in the world.”

Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 5

In December 2011, University of Wales alumnus Carl Jones was nominated forthe 2012 Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation.

In April of this year, he found he had been successful in being selected as afinalist and now joins six other outstanding conservationists in contention forthe $100,000 Indianapolis Prize. The finalists were narrowed down from anoriginal 29 nominees, which included fellow alumnus Gerardo Ceballos. Gerardowas nominated for being a world leader in evaluating and designingconservation strategies for both endangered species and threatened ecosystems,and recognised for conducting the most comprehensive jaguar study worldwide,including the first jaguar census in any country.

The Indianapolis Prize was initiated by theIndianapolis Zoo as a significantcomponent of its mission to empowerpeople and communities, both locally andglobally, to advance animal conservation.This biennial award brings the world’sattention to the cause of animalconservation and the brave, talented anddedicated men and women who spendtheir lives saving the Earth’s endangeredanimal species.

Carl Jones, PhD, spearheads work in theMascarene Islands and it’s because of histireless dedication to preserving theecology and native species of these small,remote islands in the Indian Ocean – andsaving a dozen species from certainextinction – that he was named as afinalist.

Challenging field conditions, limitedfunding, government bureaucracy andskepticism of colleagues neverdiscouraged Carl, scientific director of theMauritian Wildlife Foundation andInternational Conservation Fellow at theDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, fromhis work in the Mascarene Islands. He ispersonally credited with the leading rolein saving a dozen species from extinction,including the Mauritius kestrels, pinkpigeons and echo parakeets whoseeffective populations were less than 10and now range in the hundreds. He hasrevitalized dozens of degraded islets,controlled invasive species, and re-introduced endemic plants, reptiles andbirds. Currently, he is working on therestoration of the entire MascareneIsland’s ecosystem – which is no smallfeat.

Born and raised in Carmarthen, hereceived both his masters of science andhis doctorate from the then University ofWales, Swansea. He currently splits histime between Wales and Mauritius for hiswork.

Speaking about what it meant to himto get through to this stage of theIndianapolis Prize cycle, Carl Jonescommented: “I am very pleased to beamong the finalists since it givesrecognition to the work I have spent mywhole career doing. It is good to see workon smaller species such as Pink Pigeons,Mauritius Kestrels and Telfair’s Skinksbeing recognised, after all these speciesare in their own way equally ascharismatic as some of the largeranimals. It also shows greaterrecognition for the techniques that wehave used to restore these species suchas captive breeding, reintroduction,

translocation and the intensivemanagement of wild populations. I hopethat the greater recognition for this typeof work is signaling a greater acceptanceof hands on management of endangeredspecies, in addition to the more passiveapproaches of protecting them.”

Speaking about all 6 finalists,Indianapolis Prize Chair Myrta Pulliam said: “Theseconservationists’ long-standingcommitment and die-hard perseveranceto protect endangered species and theirenvironments embodies the mission ofthe Indianapolis Prize. We are honoredto recognize their efforts.”

The winner of the 2012 Indianapolis Prizereceives $100,000, along with the LillyMedal, to be awarded at the IndianapolisPrize Gala scheduled for 29 September2012 in Indianapolis.

University of Wales Alumnus named asFinalist for the 2012 Indianapolis Prize

Carl Jones with an Echo parakeet

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With students in over 120international and UKbased collaborative

centres, University of Walesalumni can be found in wide-ranging professions all over theworld, forming a valuable andtruly international alumninetwork.

Alumni Association Branches and Sections

As we met at the end of April at thespectacular Hotel & Restaurant“Süllberg” overlooking the river Elbe atthe outskirts of Hamburg-Blankenese,it was a perfect setting to celebrateour 10th anniversary.

This took the form of a two daysymposium at which our president, DrMartina Nieswandt, first welcomed ourmembers and guests and gave a livelyoverview of the development of our clubsince its foundation in August 2001.

Over time our Alumni Club has grown tomore than 220 members and provides asound basis for networking opportunitieswith other MBA graduates. With a varietyof activities we try to keep abreast ofinteresting developments.

The second presentation, given by Dr G FSchade, covered the legal aspects ofEuropean commercial companies, whilstDr Roland Geschwill explained in hisfollowing topic the results andconsequences of his study on the successfactors of German expatriates in EasternEurope.

The highlight of the evening was a festivedinner in the Seven Seas Restaurantcrowned by a speech from the Universityof Wales representative Dr Simon Jones.He spoke of the latest news and mergerdevelopments of the University of Wales,

German Branch Celebrates 10th Anniversary - Helmuth W Stahl

as well as discussing the benefits of beinga member of their worldwide AlumniAssociation.

On the following day a sightseeing tour ofHamburg’s new “Hafen City”, a tremendousurban development project modelled onLondon’s Docklands, was organised.

Branches already in existence

UK Regional Branches• Bangor • Carmarthen• Liverpool • Swansea

International Branches• Germany • Hong Kong • Italy • Japan • Sri Lanka • USA• Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Subject-related Sections (UK Based)• Classics • Culture of the 18th and 19th Centuries • Ethnology and folk studies • Philosophy• Theology

Information on how to contact or jointhese branches can be found on thewebsite at www.wales.ac.uk/alumni

The University is keen to maintain linkswith all its alumni, wherever they are inthe world, enabling them to keep in touchwith each other and feel part of a widerinternational community.

If there is no established internationalalumni branch in your area and you wouldlike to start one, or if you are part of anactive branch that is not listed, pleasecontact alumni@wales.ac.uk for furtherinformation and advice.

Our members were enthusiastic about thewhole event and will be looking forward tofuture inspiring activities.

More Information about the GermanBranch can be found on their website –www.alumni-wales.de

Branch Members

Hamburg’s Water Quarter

Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 7

Branch & Section Round upBangor - Once again, we had a successfulseries of lectures beginning with afascinating lecture by Dr Dafydd Roberts,Curator of the Welsh Slate Museum, on TheResponse to Reopening the QuarryRailways. During the second term we hadtwo lectures, the first by Baron DafyddWigley on The Reform of the SecondChamber, then to close, Professor GarethRoberts, Branch Chairman, gave a lectureentitled Everybody Counts which was avery interesting lecture on the life and workof Robert Recorde.

Classics - The Section embarked on its 61styear with a lecture by Dr Carlotta Dionisottion Hadrian and the Christians. This wassoon followed by a marvellous one-dayconference at St Fagans: National HistoryMuseum, arranged in conjunction with theEthnology and Folk Studies Section, on thetheme Houses in Greece and Wales fromEarly Times to the Modern Period. Highlyengaging lectures were delivered by threespecialists in the field including Mr John EllisJones who drew from a lifetime’sexperience of working on Greek houses ofthe Classical Age. The Section looks forwardto its next meeting at the 2012 NationalEisteddfod. On Monday, 6 August 2012, at12 noon in the Societies’ Pavilion 2, Dr HuwS. Thomas will lecture on the subject Greek,Latin and Welsh: Living languages? Deadlanguages?

Culture of the 18th & 19th Centuries -The 2012 annual conference, held in July,was organised in conjunction with theEthnology and Folk Studies Section, andsupported by St Fagans: National HistoryMuseum and School of Welsh at CardiffUniversity. The conference topic was theInterlude and guest speakers included DrJerry Hunter, Dr Rhiannon Ifans, Dr FfionMair Jones and Dr Cynfael Lake. As theSchool of Welsh at Cardiff University hadsuccessfully performed the medieval play YGwr Cadarn the previous year, the actorswere invited to prepare a presentationbased on five interludes by Huw Jones ofLlangwm, one of the most renownedballadeers and interlude writers of his age.

Ethnology and Folk Studies - In October2011, a one-day conference was held inconjunction with the Classics Section at StFagans: National History Museum. Theconference was opened by Dr Ffion

Reynolds of CADW who discussed hercommunity project at Tinkinswood BurialChambers and Lythan, followed by Mr JohnEllis Jones. In the afternoon, Dr EurwynWiliam lectured on the subject of the Welshcottage, and the day was brought to aclose with an introduction to thearchitecture of the church of LlandeiloTalybont. Our second collaborativeconference this year was with the Culture ofthe 18th and 19th Centuries Section. Thetheme was the various forms of TheInterlude and combined academic paperswith performance by actors from CardiffUniversity.

Hong Kong - We are currently recruitingother UW Alumni members in Hong Kongusing Facebook. With a core membership of15 so far, we plan to call the first meetingabout establishing the Hong Kong branchand electing committee members on the1st December. If you would like to find outmore or become a member find us onFacebook (search for UOW.HK) or emailuowalumnihk@hotmail.com

Japan - More than seven years havepassed since the branch was officiallyestablished and we now have more than600 members. In April a new chairman, MsHiroko Kusuhara, was elected. She is the firstfemale chairman and is currently planningstrategy to encourage more inter-communication and support betweenfellow members. If you would like to findout more, please feel free to email us onwalesmba-alumni-master@yahoogroups.jp

Liverpool - 2010/11 was a quiet time forthe Branch as our centre was beingconverted. The old Bethel Chapel in Allertonwas pulled down as was the schoolhousewhere our activities were held. Completedin October, the new Centre has now beenbuilt and we have already had twomemorable lectures, one by Dr MikeBenbough-Jackson on the history of StDavid’s Church in Liverpool, and the otherby Wally Field on the influence of Jewishmusic on the development of jazz. InSeptember Professor Laura McAllister willspeak about ‘The Assembly’.

Philosophy - Calling all PhilosophyGraduates! If any part of your coursecovered philosophy during your time at theUniversity of Wales, we would like to hear

from you. A society going since 1931 forthe discussion of philosophy through themedium of Welsh, we will this year beholding our annual conference in Octoberon moral philosophy. If you understandWelsh and have an interest in philosophy,get in touch. Email post@meddwl.com orvisit www.meddwl.com

Swansea - This branch held three meetingsthis year. At our AGM in December, ourChairman Rev Ivor Rees gave a talk onpolitics in South Wales during the lasthundred years based on his recentlypublished book on Welsh MPs. The guestspeaker at our spring meeting was ProfessorPeter Stead who entertained us withreminisces of his time at the University ofWales, Swansea as a student and lecturer,ending with some observations on thepresent state of the HE sector in Wales. Ourfinal event of the year was the AnnualLunch at which the guest speaker was theRt Hon. Rhodri Morgan. He spoke of hislongstanding family relationship with theUniversity of Wales, his own career and ofhis time in the Welsh Assembly.

Theology - We have arranged two lecturesthis year, both focusing on an event thathad a far-reaching effect on Christianity inWales; the Great Ejection of 1662 when anumber of Anglican clerics were ejectedfrom their parishes for refusing to conformto the Book of Common Prayer. Dr Eryn M.White will lecture at Coleg Gwyn, Bangor on18 September at 2pm, and Professor JohnGwynfor Jones will present on 21September at 7pm at the Schoolhouse ofAwst Chapel, Carmarthen. Also during thesummer, Issue 63 of the journalDiwinyddiaethwill appear with an editorialessay by Professor Euros Wyn Jones as wellas numerous articles and reviews.

USA - We are a new branch having formedin mid-2011. We have approximately thirtymembers and thus far, all contact has beendone through email. Our first annualmeeting will be held in Chicago, Illinois inNovember 2012 at the Hilton Chicago, toelect officers and set goals for ourassociation. If you are interested in being amember of the USA Branch, please contactAlan Streett, PhD, acting chair at:astreett@criswell.edu

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On the 3rd - 4th of May, over 2,000graduates and their guests joined theUniversity of Wales to mark thesuccessful completion of their studies.

Scholars from across the globe descendedupon the iconic Wales Millennium Centrein Cardiff Bay for the two-day event tojoin in the graduation celebrations whichthe University was hosting there.

Each graduate was greeted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Medwin Hughes,together with the Chair of the University’sCouncil and other senior officers andacademic staff.

Graduates attending the celebrationsmade the journey from a vast array ofcountries; indeed, the multicultural natureof the celebration is itself testament tothe University’s strong international ties.

The celebrations were also streamed liveon to the University’s website, enablingfriends and family who were unable tomake the journey to Cardiff see theirloved ones cross the stage, capped andgowned.

Congratulations to our Graduates

9Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni

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International Graduation CeremoniesImperial Institute of Higher Education (IIHE)

On 6th November 2011, the ImperialInstitute of Higher Education (IIHE) heldtheir graduation ceremony at CinnamonLakeside hotel in Colombo. The Universityof Wales validates a BSc (Hons) inBusiness Management, BSc (Hons) inSoftware Engineering and a MBAprogram at IIHE. A total number of 70students graduated last year.

The chief guest of the graduationceremony was Mr Krishan Balendra,Chairman of the Colombo StockExchange and President of CorporateFinance and Strategy at John KeellsHoldings Plc. Professor Nigel Palastanga,Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University ofWales, was in attendance representingthe University of Wales and other guestsincluded Dr Thilaka Weerakoon,CEO/Academic Director of IIHE, MrHarshana Perera, Chief Operating Officerat IIHE and the Board of Directors.

The ceremony was opened with awelcome speech by Dr. ThilakaWeerakoon, followed by an address byProfessor Nigel Palastanga. Graduateswere then awarded their degreecertificates and students with bestacademic performances were honoredwith the presentation of Gold Medals.

Modern University for Technology & Information (MTI)

The University validates a number of BScdegree programmes at the ModernUniversity for Technology andInformation (MTI) within the Faculties ofManagement, Computing, MassCommunication and Engineering.

In December 2011, students whosuccessfully completed their studies

joined staff and University of Walesrepresentatives at the grand ball room ofthe JW Marriot hotel in Cairo for a joyousgraduation ceremony where they receivedtheir University of Wales degreecertificates.

University of Wales representativeProfessor Nigel Palastanga, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales, andMr Michael Reed, a University of WalesModerator, joined the President Dr OlfatKamel and other MTI staff members asthey celebrated each graduates success.

Speaking about the ceremony, MrReed said: “The team at MTI reallyknow how to put on a good show, and itwas a pleasure to be able tocongratulate the graduates on theirachievements. Parents and friends haveprovided excellent support together withthe academic staff from MTI, who haveworked unflinchingly with the studentsin reaching their goals.”

IIHE MBA Graduatesn

IIHE BSc Graduatesn

MTI Graduation Ceremonyn

11Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni

Asif Kapadia, a graduate of theUniversity of Wales, has wontwo prestigious awards for his

documentary Senna at the 2012British Academy of Film and TelevisionArts (BAFTA) Film Awards.

Asif Kapadia’s film about the legendaryFormula One driver Ayrton Senna wonbest documentary and best editing at theceremony.

The highly-praised documentary tells thestory of Ayrton Senna’s career, from hisbeginnings as a go-kart driver to his fatalcrash in 1994. Using entirely archivefootage and interviews, Senna paints adramatic portrait of one of Formula One’smost famous drivers, who won the F1world championship three times beforehis death at age 34.

Senna was also nominated in theOutstanding British Film category – thefirst time a documentary had beennominated in the category since 2009 –but lost out to the spy-thriller Tinker TailorSoldier Spy.

Born in Hackney in 1972, Mr Kapadiastudied film production at the Universityof Wales, Newport, in the early 1990s andhas gone on to achieve great things

Double BAFTA win for University of Wales Graduate

Asif Kapadian

The University Seal

within the British film industry andbeyond.

Senna‘s documentary award is Kapadia’ssecond major BAFTA win. He has wonbefore for his film The Warrior (2002),which was awarded the Alexander KordaAward for Best British Film and the CarlForeman Award for the Most PromisingNewcomer in 2003.

On the front cover of the magazineyou will have seen the image of theUniversity Seal, originally designed bySir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart. (1833-1898).

The obverse of the Seal shows a seatedfigure under an arcade, holding an openbook, and represents the teaching side ofthe University. On the right and left aretwo standing figures, representing thestudents and graduates of the University,together with the shields of the threefounding Constituent Colleges.

The surrounding inscription is from theVulgate Latin version of the Book ofIsaiah, Chapter 58, Verses 10 and 12. The

translation alludes to the revival oflearning in Wales, which received its crownin the creation of the University. The design incorporates the motto of theUniversity “Goreu Awen Gwirionedd” (TheBest Inspiration is Truth).

On the reverse side of the Seal is abuilding symbolising the University,placed between the mountains and thesea. The surrounding inscription is a versefrom Lucretius, Book ii, line 8, meaning"The serene regions of the wise raisedhigh by learning."

Read more about the University Seal on our website -www.wales.ac.uk/UniversitySeal

Photo: BAFTA/Steph

en Butler

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Hannah McKeand:Polar Explorer

Hannah McKeand is a record-breaking polarexplorer, who in 2006 became the fastestperson ever to trek to the South Pole, solo andunaided, completing her polar expedition injust 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes.

Having achieved a degree inClassics from the then LampeterUniversity, and working for a

theatre company for seven years, at 31Hannah finally fully committed herselfto her primary passion - exploring.

Here she answers questions about hertime at University, her fascinating careeras a full time explorer and future plans:

What did you study at University andwhy did you choose to go there? I studied Classics and Ancient History as Iloved the subject. I didn't want to be in abig city as I wanted to be somewhereintimate where I would get to know lotsof people and be able to escape into thehills when it got too much for me. Itcouldn't have worked out more to planreally; Lampeter University was abeautiful building in a rural environment.I loved being in a small department andall the lecturers knowing me by name andI made some amazing friends during mytime there. University was a difficult timefor me though, I had no idea where I washeading in life and certainly would havelaughed out loud if some oracle hadpredicted where I have actually ended up.

I would absolutely recommend theUniversity experience to every youngperson.

How important was getting yourdegree in getting to where youare now?My degree has absolutely norelevance to my current careerwhatsoever, but it gives me depthand credibility among my peersand my clients. I work in a world ofclimbers, skiers, logisticians,mechanics, pilots and field guides,and to have a degree in a subjectlike Classics is really unusual inthis field. My clients tend to behighly motivated and successfulbusiness men with wide rangingexperience and education andthey tend to come to me withvery set expectations about

who I am and what I will be. Theyhave to really sit up and start changingthose ideas when they meet me andrealise that there is more to me than justbeing able to ski 1100kms acrossAntarctica with relative ease.

How did you come to be a full timeexplorer, was it something that youalways wanted to be?It absolutely never occurred to me that Imight go in this direction. The first 10years of

my working lifeI worked as amarketingmanager for atheatrecompany and Iloved that life.It was in 2001

that everything changed. I was left somemoney and a house by my godfather andalthough it wasn't so much as to makeme rich it was too much not to try and dosomething special with. I spent threeyears making visits to North Africa to theimmense and isolated Western Desert.This vast region of dunes and mountainsis the second biggest wilderness an earthafter Antarctica and soon I was curiousabout finding the biggest one. I havealways been a big person in the world andat last here were places where I feltinfinitesimally small, I found that feelingvery comforting, very familiar somehowand I found myself seeking it more andmore often.

Then in 2004 I joined a guided trip to skithe 690 miles from the coast ofAntarctica to the South Pole. I had noexperience in that kind of environmentand really jumped straight in the deepend, but thanks to my amazing guide,Denise Martin, and the patience of myteam mates I completely blossomed. Itwas where I was meant to be. Two yearslater I returned and made the journeysolo and set a world speed record for theroute, knocking two days off the previousrecord. That journey was the making ofme.

Trekking solo

Hannah at theSouth pole (2011)

Hannah shows off her World Record

Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 13

What’s been the highlight of yourcareer so far, and where have yourfavourite destinations been?I've been in some incredible parts of theworld, but it is always the most remoteand empty ones that capture my heart. Itis still the big deserts and the polar wastesthat I am drawn to time and time again.Having said that, I have also had someamazing experiences hiking in theAmazon, running across the highAltiplano in Bolivia and sailing around theworld. The remote areas of ocean far fromland are by far the most challengingplaces I have encountered.

Have you faced any challenging or life-threatening situations during anexpedition?The stickiest situation I have ever been inwas in 2008 when I decided to attempt tobecome the first woman to ski solo andunsupported to the North Pole fromCanada. A couple of weeks into theexpedition I fell through a deep crack in theice and dislocated my shoulder and foundmyself trapped in the hole. It took me overan hour of struggling to get free, which Ieventually managed by using my ski as aone-step ladder. Literally hundreds of milesfrom the nearest other human being andthousands of miles from assistance it is theonly time I have truly thought I was goingto die. Thankfully I didn't, although it wasthe end of my expedition which stilltorments me to this day.

How do you prepare yourself bothphysically and mentally for a newexpedition?I try to stay in shape all year round andthen about 12 weeks before theexpedition starts I kick into a really rigidtraining regime. It is a lot of basic corestrength training and lots of intervalrunning to build up my stamina. MentallyI'm not sure there is much you can do toprepare yourself for the immenseemptiness that my work generally takesme to. It is so completely unimaginable. Ihave skied to the South Pole more timesthan anyone ever and I still can't reallyget my head around the place. Every day Iski all day across empty rolling plains ofice and every night invent a small homeof canvas in the white nothingness and

every night crawl into mysleeping bag with thesense that I've missedsomething, that I stillhaven't seen the place andthat maybe tomorrow itwill make sense if I just lookhard enough.

What is your motivationand inspiration? Whatkeeps you going while onan expedition?Well now it is my job, I keep on doing itbecause I have become the best in theworld at what I do and I absolutely loveeverything about the environment. Everyyear I get to bring people to my emptyparts of the world and share my love forthem. When I am actually in the field on along expedition, I just keep going, there isno magic formula or mind-set, I just haveto get up every morning and ski. It is amassive endurance event and the onlyway to get through it is to get on with it,nothing you think or do is going to makeit pass quicker, you simply have to workhard all day, every day and eventually youget there. Having said that these dayswhat gets me through is talking books. Itry to load up my iPod with lots of classicsthat I know I might not actually getaround to picking up and reading innormal life. Last season I was workingthrough Tolstoy, Anna Karenina and Warand Peace, that's a couple of weeks’worth of listening right there.

Do you have any future expeditionsplanned?I will continue to work on Antarcticafor three months every winter, andnext year I am planning to undertakea kite skiing expedition right aroundthe Greenland Icecap with three girl-friends. I'm also planning to move toNorway next year, where I now have acompany called Expeditions 365conducting training for would be polarexpeditioners and also kiting, skiing,dogsledding and snow-shoeingexperiences in our mountain back yard.Come and join us for an adventure!

Do you have any other passionsthat you’re involved in when notexploring?I still love to study. Encountering some ofthe best scientists in the world on mytravels, particularly in Antarctica, hasawoken a real love of science in me and Iam often reading up on some aspect ofstring theory or the cosmic microwavebackground as a result. Encounteringthese people and places has massivelyincreased my frame of reference and mybroader understanding of more subjects.My great physical passion is snow-kiting,being pulled around the wilderness on myskis by a big high tech power kite. It is thebiggest feeling of freedom I have everexperienced, like flying.

What advice would you give to anyonewanting to follow in your footsteps?It won't be easy. Money is the obstacle toall these things. Work on your skills, takeany opportunity to gain experience, behumble and don't give up. Shoot for thestars and just maybe you'll catch themoon.

The horizon

Hannah with her gear

14

In June, University of Wales AlumnaMs Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega, wasappointed as the new NationalCommissioner of the South AfricanPolice Service (SAPS).

As one of the toughest assignments inSouth African public life, it is a historicappointment as she is the first woman tohold the post in the 99 years of policinghistory of the country.

Born in Polokwane, she received herprimary and secondary education invarious schools in Limpopo. As well asholding a BA (Social Work) degree fromthe University of the North, a BA Hons(Social Science) from Unisa and a MA(Social Science) degree from theUniversity of Johannesburg, she alsostudied at Technikon Witwatersrand,Johannesburg where she was awarded aPostgraduate Diploma from the Universityof Wales.

She began her professional career as asocial worker and has worked for childwelfare organisations, as well as the state-owned transport enterprise and Absabank. She is heavily involved in women’sempowerment and is a member of theInternational Women’s Forum of SouthAfrica (IWFSA). She is a wife, mother andgrandmother.

Speaking of her appointment, theMinister for Police Mr NkosinathiEmmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa said:“Based on her previous and currentexpertise, Ms Phiyega brings wealth ofexperience on strategic leadership andsound management background, bothfrom public service and private sector.

Her appointment as the first blackfemale National Commissioner of theSAPS in the history of our country;further indicates our seriouscommitment to transformation of thepolice. We believe that her appointmentis well deserved as her CV speaksvolumes and that her previousachievements in various managementechelons, are not coincidental butachieved through dedication and hardwork.”

In her first address as the new NationalCommissioner of Police, General Phiyegatold media that she was humbled by theappointment and acknowledged that shefaced a huge and overwhelming taskahead.

She added: “Alone we can do so little,together we can do so much. This is aresponsibility we should take with bothhands soldiering on in delivering on themandate South Africans have entrustedupon us. In order to succeed, Iacknowledge that it is necessary to

University of Wales Alumna becomes South Africa’s National Commissioner of Police

consult, listen and learn. This should becomplemented by leading and actingdecisively.

Our mandate is that of fighting crime,hence we will work tirelessly towardsrealizing this goal with all the resources,skills and expertise to ensure that thepeople of South Africa are and feel safe.

I am looking forward to wearing the blueuniform, taking my oath and gettinginvolved with the business of policing.”

Ms Mangwashi Victoria Phiyegan

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Campus: The Magazine for University of Wales Alumni 15

ScholarshipsnScholarship winner addresses New York conference on New Spanish Cinema

Dilys Jones, a final year PhD student at the University of Wales: Trinity SaintDavid was this year’s winner of the University of Wales Geoffrey CrawshayScholarship, worth £1000.

The scholarshipenabled the 67-year-old maturestudent, whohas spent herlife working on adairy farm inmid-Ceredigion,to travel the3000 miles toNew York to

attend and present a paper at aconference on New Spanish Cinema,organised by Valencia University.

Speaking of how the award has benefitedher, Dilys said “In the final year of my PhDresearch the award has facilitated the firstinternational platform for my comparativework on minority nation identity in film,focusing on Wales and the BasqueCountry.

The conference was the first opportunitythat I have had to present my research toan international audience. Untilattending this conference I really only hadthe comments of my two supervisors, DrRob Shail at the University of Wales:Trinity Saint David and Dr Santi de Pablo

at the Basque University Vittoria, Spain, toguide me so it was particularly useful togain feedback from academics working inthe same field.

It has been a marvelous, well-timedexperience which will undoubtedly benefitmy final thesis.”

Having completed a BA (Hons) in FilmStudies at UW:TSD’s Lampeter campus in2003, Dilys’s research began looking atchanging narratives of minority nationidentity in film. The focus of her researchencompasses Welsh film from the time of‘How Green is My Valley’ in 1941, toPatagonia in 2011; and Basque filmsreleased under Franco’s rule, to the muchlater works of Julio Medem.

In 2008 she upgraded from an MPhil to aPhD and is now currently in the process ofcompleting the final stages of her thesis.

The Geoffrey Crawshay Scholarship fundwas established to enable successfulcandidates to travel Britain or abroad withthe intention of enriching the student'saesthetic experience in a branch of theFine Arts.

Scholarship FundsOnline FriendshipsResearch

Sarah Merry, aPhD student ofAberystwythUniversity, hasbeen awarded aUniversity ofWales

Postgraduate Studentship. The fundingwill contribute to her final year of PhDstudy of online friendships, cultivated bysocial media and cyber communities.

Speaking of being awarded thescholarship, Sarah said “I am veryexcited to be doing a PhD investigatingthe friendships which are created online.This is an area of study which is stillquite under-researched in the UK, but isattracting increasing internationalinterest. Society is changing; theInternet has facilitated a transformationin the way that friendships andcommunities develop, with connectionsincreasingly formed around commoninterests rather than geographicalproximity.”

Sarah Merry is a graduate of Informationand Library Studies at AberystwythUniversity who writes poetry in her sparetime.

Fund winner wages war on post-traumaticstress disorder using power of poetryChristine Steward became this year’s recipient of the University of WalesLlewelyn Williams Postgraduate Studentship. The fund will enable the SwanseaMetropolitan University graduate to progress with her research at SwanseaUniversity’s College of Medicine where she will embark on a PhD to help fund herunique research into treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Her research is centred on developing self-help coping mechanisms for sufferers ofPTSD, using literary techniques found inpoetry. The idea came to Christine whileanalysing the work of the First World War

poet Robert Graves, who used narrative toconjure a literary world which helped himdeal with the trauma of trench life horrors.She uncovered psychological tools hiddenin his writing which he used to support hismental health on a day-to-day basis.

As well as being a fulltime student,Christine is a trained Samaritan listener.She aims to develop her theory into asupport package that can be put to usealongside existing community-basedrehabilitation programmes. Speaking ofher award, Christine said “I’m delighted tobe able to pursue my dream and theory,designed to try and help PTSD sufferers”

Further information about all scholarships, grants and prizes awarded by the University of Wales, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found on our website. Visit www.wales.ac.uk/scholarships

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Dilys Jones

Sarah Merry

Christine Steward

16

With thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue

The continued support of Ede &Ravenscroft towards publication costs isgreatly appreciated

Editor: Jocelyn KeedwellDesign and Print: Yogi Creative

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