Latest news with #WrexhamUniversity
Business News Wales
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
First Minister Visits Wrexham University to Tour Trail-Blazing Facilities and Discuss Civic Impact
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan MS paid a visit to Wrexham University to view some of the institution's ground-breaking facilities, including the soon-to-be complete Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC) building – North Wales Growth Deal's first construction project. The First Minister met students and staff from a range of subject areas to hear all about the university's newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy and its overarching ambition to become a world-leading, modern civic university. During the visit, the First Minister toured the trail-blazing EEOC development, which will become a specialist centre for industry engagement, research, and innovation, and will provide North Wales with a centre for collaboration and skills development in sustainability, renewables, and high value manufacturing. The First Minister's tour of the EEOC came just days before International Women in Engineering Day. She spent time speaking with Selina Thomas, a final-year Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering student, who highlighted her work in supporting North Wales-based firm KnitMesh Technologies by investigating the impact strength of composites. She was also given the opportunity to view the university's Health Simulation Centre, where staff highlighted the institution's work in strengthening and developing the public sector workforce in North Wales, with Welsh language provision at the core of that. The First Minister heard how since launching 'Cyfle', the institution's Welsh Language Academic Strategy and Action Plan just under three years ago, Welsh language modules have been introduced to a number of degree courses including Speech and Language Therapy, Professional Policing, Education and more. Staff also updated the First Minister on progress relating to current works taking place on campus on the next phase of enhancing the University's Health and Education Innovation Quarter (HEIQ). She heard how the next phase will take the university's facilities to even further heights – ensuring that industry-leading technology is available to students' by creating a new immersive teaching environment, which will allow for a combination of both virtual and augmented reality. It will also include a Teaching and Learning Lab and a Hydrasimulation Suite – which is being developed in conjunction with the Hydra Foundation – that will help students with their critical decision-making skills, through simulation of emergency situations. The visit concluded with a positive discussion on the university's Civic Mission work, with a focus on how the institution is at the forefront of driving systemic change in the region through connecting partner organisations, sharing knowledge and unlocking collective action, all with the aim of helping to put an end to social inequality across North Wales by 2030. Professor Joe Yates, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, said: 'We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to the university and proudly showcase our incredible facilities – in particular, our Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre, which is due to open at the start of the next academic year in September, as well as our cutting-edge Health Simulation Centre. 'The visit also provided us with a welcome opportunity to highlight our newly launched 2030 Vision and Strategy, and also shine a light on how higher education institutions have a crucial role to play in helping to shape a more resilient and prosperous Wales. Our work in building skills but also strengthening and developing a bilingual public sector workforce in North Wales, and our Civic Mission, in terms of providing systems leadership, demonstrates the positive impact our institution has on the communities we serve. 'Thank you to the First Minister for her time and engagement with us – it was a pleasure to welcome her, and showcase just some of our fantastic work.' First Minister Eluned Morgan MS added: 'I was pleased to see first-hand the facilities at Wrexham University, especially the EEOC, which will soon become a vital hub for industry collaboration and skills development across North Wales. 'Through their civic work, our higher education institutions can serve as powerful anchors in their communities, supporting business and unlocking collective action to tackle inequality while preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.'
North Wales Live
18 hours ago
- General
- North Wales Live
The North Wales estate where '99.9% of people would give you their last £1 if they could'
Wrexham is a county of contrasts with some of the most affluent areas in Wales, including Marford and Hoseley and Rossett. These two areas rank 1908 and 1805, respectively out of 1909 areas on the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). These measure relative poverty across the country - with the higher the number the more affluent an area is. However six miles south, lying just outside Wrexham city's centre on the south eastern side sits the Caia Park estate, which is home to around 13,000 people. Here the WIMD statistics tell a different story, with the core of the estate ranked as having some of the worst poverty levels in Wales. The Queensway 1 area within the estate, was ranked 9th on the scale; Wynnstay 45th; Queensway 2 80th: Cartrefle 2 156th and Smithfield 3 163rd. Moving outside of the heart of the estate, poverty levels start to drop off with Smithfield 2 ranked 488th and Whitegate 1 599th. It is fair to say the last figures for WIMD were in 2019 and they are awaiting an update, so the data may have changed since then. However in 2023, Caia Park was again cited as one of the hardest areas to live in Wales, following research commissioned by the Building Communities Trust. For those that live on Caia Park, they see the day to day issues, with some parts experiencing deprivation and drugs, like other poorer areas in Wales. The cost of living crisis, with rising food and energy costs, has also hit hard, again like other areas of the UK, stretching people's budgets, as they juggle bills and work multiple jobs to survive. But despite the difficulties there are also great stories of how the community pulls together, helps each other in times of need and has a strong sense of togetherness, which can shine through the toughest of moments. Walking along Queensway, you may be forgiven for thinking the roads and gardens would be covered with litter and vandalism, given its poverty ranking. However this is not the case. Yes there are pockets, that can be found, like in any suburban areas, but the roadsides are tidy, with greenery and hedgerows, many people's gardens are well kept, blossoming with flowers and plants, a testament to the pride many have in Caia Park. The estate is also full of people stepping out to support and enhance the community, like Colette Butler who, apart from a couple of years working in the Falklands, has lived on Caia Park all her life and bought the house she now lives in off her mum and dad. She praised neighbours and residents for their community spirit and willingness to help each other when times are hard. The 54-year-old is currently studying for a degree in mental health and wellbeing at Wrexham University and campaigning, with Julie Cowans, from Summerhill, for an annual memorial day to be held at Erddig's Hafod y Bwch Covid Memorial Woodlands. If it gets the go-ahead, it will be to remember those that died during the outbreak and provide support for those who are still struggling in its aftermath. Collette lost her mum, who had lived with her, to Covid in November 2020. She says she had issues with Wrexham Maelor Hospital to see her mum, who had worked as a teacher and then with the Salvation Army following retirement, after she was rushed into hospital. "You have the Covid inquiry, that is going on at the moment to stop this happening again. But in the meantime there are people, who have not just lost people, but they have lost their mental health, their relationships - they have lost a lot," said Collette. "We are trying to set up an annual event that commemorates Covid - like Remembrance Sunday - so it would be the nearest Sunday to the 23rd of March when we went into lockdown. One of the things that is said on Remembrance Sunday is 'lest we forget' - we don't want to forget the people we have lost and the lives that have been lost. We want there to be something that shows people still care. "There are people that are struggling, there are children that are still struggling. The cost of living crisis has also come, which has had such a knock on effect for everybody." Collette, who has been married to Mike for 20 years and got married at the estate's St Anne's Church, says they are now in negotiations with the Welsh Government and the National Trust, to get the green light for the event. They are also setting up a Facebook page to ask people what they would like to see. Speaking about Caia Park, Colette said, on her street, children who had moved out of the family homes had moved back because of the strong sense of community. "We are a strong community. We know each other. We have grown up with each other. We look out for each other," said Colette, whose dad was a pharmacist. "I have never had an issue on Caia Park, there are problems, like there are problems everywhere, but it's time that people stopped stigmatising Caia Park. As a community, when mum died during Covid, I was only allowed 15 people in the church and 20 at the cemetery, but the amount of people that lined the street, to say goodbye to me, that moved me more; and the amount of homeless people she helped, they were outside the cemetery. "It's a great community, they are strong and caring. I would say that 99.9% of Caia Park people would give you their last £1 if they could." After finishing her degree, Colette hopes to get her PGCE and set up an emotional support prescribing service, with a fellow student. In the Coed Aben area, 31-year-old Samantha Keith was enjoying a stroll in the warmth with her little boy Grayson. "I used to live in Liverpool and I moved here three years ago into a flat with my partner in Y Wern," she said. "However we moved three months ago to the Coed Aben area, which is a lot nicer. I was used to the busy city life in Liverpool. But it has been really nice, the neighbours are great and it feels very family orientated," said Samantha, who is looking to get back into wedding planning, when she can. But there are still issues with crime on Caia Park. One resident who did not wish to be named, living in the Prince Charles Road area, told how a thief had stolen garden and pillar lights, from outside his home the previous Saturday, which was captured on camera. "There are also problems with youngsters on e-scooters riding up and down," he said: "The estate did feel like it was improving, but now if feels like it is slipping again." Malcolm King has been a mainstay councillor for the Wynnstay ward for years, he is also the Chief Officer for the Venture Integrated Children's Centre, which supports needy youngsters and provides them with a positive environment. Cllr King praised residents for their strength despite the adversity they face. "What carries the community through is, despite the difficulties that people face in their everyday lives, there is a hugely strong spirit in Caia Park," said Cllr King. "Although there are a very small number of people who may cause issues, the vast majority of families are amazing. "The difficulties they have to negotiate every day of the week is hard to see, but you can only admire how people manage to survive, especially with the cost of living crisis which has hit the least well off the most. "They deserve everybody's respect, working all hours, with multiple jobs, to make ends meet. The big problem is low wages and the cost of food and heating going up is also affecting everyone's budget. But it is inspiring and uplifting to see people trying to make the best of their difficult circumstances and doing extremely well." Cllr King also said juvenile crime has dropped off dramatically in the area over the years and was at a "massively different level" due to efforts on the estate. He said the Venture also now offers food to children attending it throughout the week. There are other organisations on the estate, like the Caia Park Community Partnership that provide support for families, that work alongside the schools and churches to sustain the community. When North Wales Live covered issues on Caia Park, in 2019, on Prince Charles Road, the former Red Dragon pub stood empty and boarded up. Now in its place stands a new Co-op store, a sign of some investment and changes the estate has seen in recent years. Then local leaders spoke of fears that children were going hungry as families struggled to make ends meet. Despite the issues the estate faces, Wrexham County Borough Council says it is doing what it can to support the community. Initiatives include providing support for the Safer Streets project that saw investment in projects to improve safety, such as installing CCTV, ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and environmental improvements. The council has also provided financial aid to the Caia Park Partnership, to help support 16-24 year-olds not in employment, education or training. For children, the council says it has giving money to support Gwenfro Valley Adventure Playground and The Venture; and to the Caia Park Partnership to support parents. There are also a number of initiatives including Activ8, Together Achieving Change and the Waking Hours Team, to aid families needing extra help. And in housing, local authority chiefs say they have been investing to upgrade properties on the estate with £17m spent on 1,300 properties since 2019, with extra "financial inclusion officers" on hand to handle residents issues. A Wrexham council statement added: "Caia continues to be the largest area where properties have, and continue, to receive major refurbishment works when empty. Void Refurbishment Programme has seen investment of £16,770,000 to 691 homes in the Caia Park Estate since January 2020." Interim Chief Executive Alwyn Jones said: 'As with all local authorities the opportunities for area based interventions within Wrexham comes mostly from UK or Welsh Government, with WCBC playing more of a facilitator and distributor role as opposed to redistributing funds raised locally here in Wrexham. 'This means that our ability to fund projects is mostly dependant on successful funding bids and the allocation of funding and investment from UK and Welsh Government. 'We will continue to bid for and explore further funding opportunities as well as work with the UK and Welsh Government in securing funding and investment for Wrexham.'
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- General
- Scotsman
The 17 UK universities ranked best for student satisfaction
As any student will know, there's a lot more to what makes a university a great place to learn than its exclusivity or the research it pumps out. The end of the summer exam season is now just days away, and many A Level candidates have already begun the lengthy wait to find out how they did - with results day falling on August 14 this year. Many will have university offers hanging in the balance, and once their place has been confirmed, they can finally set out on an exciting new time in their lives - university, and all that comes with it. As well as wanting an amazing student experience, they'll no doubt be hoping to achieve good grades with expert teaching and guidance, leaving with a degree that will open the door to exciting careers or further study opportunities in the future. Most of them will also probably be taking out hefty student loans, and will no doubt want good bang for their buck. The Complete University Guide has this month released its brand new UK university league table for 2026, to help keep this coming year's university hopefuls in the loop. This comprehensive annual ranking compares dozens of institutions based on their entry standards, the proportion of students who stay on after their first year, research quality, how much they spend on academic services and facilities, student-to-staff ratio, and more. One of the factors it considers is how satisfied each institution's students are with their education. They've each been given a score out of four based on responses to The National Student Survey (NSS), a poll of final-year undergraduates. We've used this data to compile a league table of all the UK universities that scored around 80% or more when it comes to student satisfaction - so that prospective students can get an idea of how happy with their education current students are. Many are schools which didn't make it to the upper echelons of the Complete University Guide's overall performance table, but which each shine in their own unique way. Here were the 17 universities that came out on top: 1 . University of St Andrews The fourth most highly ranked university overall - and the top Scottish institution on the list - this prestigious university is based in St Andrews, Fife. In the Complete University Guide's new list for 2026, it had a student satisfaction score of 3.32 out of 4 - or about 83%. | Peter Thompson/Photo Sales 2 . Bishop Grosseteste University Moving to the East Midlands of England, Bishop Grosseteste is a university based in Lincoln. It came in 118th place overall on the new league table. It had a student satisfaction score of 3.31 out of 4 - or about 83%. |Photo Sales 3 . Wrexham University Wrexham University is based in northeast Wales, and came 129th overall in the Complete University Guide's latest league table. It had a student satisfaction score of 3.30 out of 4 - or about 83%. | Google Photo Sales 4 . Plymouth Marjon University Marjon is a university in Plymouth, Devon - in the South West. It ranked 100th overall. It too had a student satisfaction score of 3.30 out of 4 - or about 83%. | Google Photo Sales Related topics: UniversitiesStudentsBoost
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Health
- Business News Wales
University Academic becomes Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society
A Psychology academic at Wrexham University has been recognised for her research and passion for the profession from a national body. Dr. Shubha Sreenivas, Programme Leader of the University's MSc Psychology (Conversion programme) and Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Biological), has been named an Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Her Associate Fellow status has been given in recognition of her years of experience, expertise, and contribution to the field of Psychology. Dr. Sreenivas has been involved with psychological research since 2006, supporting multi-centre trials as Data Manager with NWORTH (North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health) at Bangor University's Clinical Trials unit, and has been leading independent research from 2012 onwards. Other areas of research that Dr. Sreenivas has led on includes looking at psychosocial problems of institutionalised, destitute women in India. While in the UK, she supported research exploring brain activations relating to mood disorders and treatment response. She has also explored the use of dogs and robotic dogs in improving reading confidence in primary school age children and the benefits of pet therapy for university students, and the difference they make to their anxiety and stress levels. Dr. Sreenivas also has clinical experience of working as an Assistant Psychologist with the Adult and Older Adults Psychology Services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Speaking about her Associate Fellow status, Dr. Sreenivas said: 'I'm extremely excited about this professional recognition as it demonstrates how far I've come in the field. 'From gaining my first degree in English Literature and Journalism in India to then making my way into the Psychology pathway as a mature student, after completing my postgraduate degree in the subject. I then completed a Masters in Foundations of Clinical Psychology and a PhD at Bangor University, which has opened up so many opportunities for me. 'I feel proud of how far I've come and feel particularly pleased to be the Programme Leader of the Psychology Conversion programme at Wrexham. 'The programme is incredibly important to me, as it offers those, who have gained an undergraduate degree in another subject area but want to change direction and study or pursue a career in Psychology, do so. 'I think one of the main reasons I am so passionate about the Conversion programme is that those students remind me of myself and my own journey into Psychology.' There are still some places remaining for the September 2025 intake of the MSc Psychology (Conversion programme) at Wrexham University, you can find out more about the course here .
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
MS update on bespoke bus network for Wrexham and Flintshire
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales An ambitious vision to deliver an integrated transport network for North Wales – with frequent metro services at its heart – was unveiled by the Welsh Government in Wrexham recently. Network North Wales is a bold, passenger-focused programme of work to better connect communities – with more rail and bus services and greater integration. I outlined our plans at Wales' first ever Public Transport Summit, which was held at Wrexham University. They aim to maximise opportunity and unlock the economic potential of North Wales. Far too many people – particularly young people – are being cut out of the jobs market because they can't access reliable transport. Utilising the recent designation of Flintshire and Wrexham as an Investment Zone by the UK Government, we've worked very closely with Transport for Wales, Flintshire Council and Wrexham Council to develop a bespoke bus network which will link local people with centres of employment like Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park. The Welsh Government's vision will drive economic growth in the region. We are already introducing new legislation to regulate the bus network, which will be redesigned to help people into work. Network North Wales will also see metro-style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester-Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool. Immediate changes are being delivered, with a raft of further improvements planned over the next 12 months, three years and through to 2035. Longer-term objectives include reopening closed stations, creating new stations and exploring the role of new transport modes such as tram trains. If you're a constituent of Clwyd South and need help or advice, email or call 01978 869058. I also have a surgery in Rhosllanerchrugog on July 18, so please get in touch with my office for details and to book an appointment.
