Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor

Welcome to the ‘profile’ section of the University of Glamorgan’s website. This gives you an overview of the University, whether you are a prospective or past student, a job applicant, a member of the press, a colleague in another university or are simply interested in what the University is doing at the moment.

Welcome to the University of Glamorgan

With close to 100 years of experience in higher education, the University has played a significant role in the economic, social and cultural advancement of Wales. The talents of many generations of staff have enabled us to develop into a thriving, modern University with a reputation for excellent learning and teaching, a growing recognition for international research excellence, first class facilities and outstanding student support.

As an established institution of higher learning, we are committed to providing access with excellence; dedicated to providing an academically distinctive portfolio of excellent and professionally relevant courses coupled with a high quality student experience, giving students access to the latest technologies and industry standard equipment.

We are increasingly recognised as a university of first choice for students and we are currently engaged in an exciting estates development programme to provide our students with brand new, state-of-the-art facilities across all our campuses. Our new and enhanced learning environment reflects the University’s forward-thinking outlook and enhances the quality of the student learning experience.

The University of Glamorgan has already undergone major expansion in recent years. In 2007, the Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries was established (and located in the iconic ATRiuM building) and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama became a part of the ‘Glamorgan Group’ to provide comprehensive programmes and facilities for the creative and cultural industries in the capital city. Merthyr Tydfil College also became part of the Glamorgan Group in May 2006 and, since that time, has engaged in an extensive redevelopment programme, including new course developments and enhanced facilities.

The University’s research activities go from strength to strength, as illustrated by our growing reputation in several fields, including sustainable environment, disaster management, mobile communications and medical imaging. In October 2008, we opened our Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Centre at the Baglan Energy Park, the first of its kind in the UK and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), we confirmed our status as one of Wales’ leading research-active universities. More than 70% of our research activity was assessed as being of a quality recognised internationally for its originality, significance and rigour, with around 10% of this research recognised as being world-leading.

We acknowledge the benefits of collaboration with other universities in Wales, the UK and overseas. In Wales, for example, collaboration with Cardiff University has resulted in a range of exciting initiatives, including the Universities Police Science Institute (UPSI). We are also a member of the St David’s Day Group – a partnership with the four other major universities in Wales (Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea) to drive forward the knowledge economy of Wales.

International partnership development will continue to be a key strategic priority for the University. In recent years, collaborative agreements have been signed with institutions in a number of countries including Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA which have facilitated student and staff exchanges and joint research activities.

At a regional level, Glamorgan is playing a key role in improving stands of educational attainment. We are committed to working with partners to develop a range of initiatives including the Merthyr Learning Quarter, with the Welsh Assembly Government and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, and the Universities’ Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI), in collaboration with the University of Wales Newport and public and private sector partners, to provide accredited higher education opportunities at all levels across the region.

To conclude, I extend an invitation to you to visit us to see what Glamorgan has to offer, but until that opportunity arises, I hope our website will give you all the information you require – whether you are looking for a place to study or work, or want to find out more about our research and consultancy services or just want to keep up-to-date of our progress.

Julie Lydon, Vice-Chancellor