oomST

AF

F

UNIVERSITY OF GLAMORGAN STAFF MAGAZINE

ISSUE 10AUTUMN 2012

Quiet Please!The LRC development is on course for 2013

Flying startWhy Glamorgan’s flagshippartnership with BA is good for business

Lasers on stunWe look down the lens atProfessor Nigel Copner’sexciting research

COMINGSOON

HANDS UP if you’re using a laptop, phone or tablet in work

Are you using your own mobile device — laptop, tablet orsmart phone — in work? If so, support is at hand to help youinterface them with the Universityʼs IT systems...

Using Your Own Device http://studentit.glam.ac.uk/OwnDevice/is the online resource for help and advice on all aspects of using mobiledevices in work.

It includes a range of online step-by-step guides, as well as information onbest practice for security and anti-virus management, including:

• Getting started• Services for your device• Getting further help

Visit http://studentit.glam.ac.uk/OwnDevice/ to find out more.

WelcomeIt always impresses me how, no matter what the challenges, Glamorgan staff have the ability tocarry on as normal and get the job done. With external pressures, such as an increasingly challengingstudent market and the integration between us and Newport, there are lots of factors that could distractus from what we’re really here to do: deliver an excellent teaching and learning experience for ourstudents.

This edition of staffroom demonstrates how well we are getting on with the day job. There’s the fantasticnews that Glamorgan’s reputation continues to build, reflected in the latest set of national measures: ourNSS score has jumped two percentage points to 83%, while some of our competitors’ scores fell; andthe Sunday Times ranked us as among the top five universities in Wales. We also saw success at courselevel, with some subjects achieving the maximum 100% satisfaction – more about that on page 5.

In this increasingly challenging market, reputation is everything. A strong reputation will help us achieveour goals, in growth, in recruitment and in engagement with industry. The recently-agreed partnershipwith British Airways (p6 + 8) is a good example of this and will put Glamorgan at the forefront of trainingprovision for the UK aerospace industry with one of the world’s most recognised players in the market.Our students and BA's staff will train side by side in some of the best simulation-based training facilitiesin the country, developing the skills and knowledge required to maintain BA’s and other providers’ fleetsof aircraft.

Our reputation in the classroom is also on the rise. In addition to higher satisfaction scores, this year’sNSS has identified our teaching quality as among the best in Wales. There’s no doubt that this is downto the continued efforts of our academics, constantly pushing the boundaries of teaching delivery andexceeding students’ expectations of their learning experience. The recent ELTA awards (p18) rightlydemonstrate and celebrate these efforts.

We have a justifiably strong reputation in applied research, and we are very clear about its value.Several live projects are featured in this edition, including the exciting work by Professor Nigel Copnerand his team (p10+11), that not only gives us a tantalising glimpse into future technologies, but has thepotential to attract significant inward investment to the University.

That's vital, because while we're an education establishment, we also need to operate in a business-likeway. As I said to you in the recent campus addresses, that means continuing to improve on areas ofstudent satisfaction and increasing our retention, whilst also focussing on ways to increase our incomefrom non-traditional sources, reducing operating costs and finding efficiency savings. The Infographic(p14-15) illustrates how we’re hoping to achieve this through the Building for the Future programme.

As we move towards our centenary year in 2013, we can all reflect on the hard work we’ve donetogether to strengthen Glamorgan’s position as a strong sustainable HE provider in south Wales. Nextyear will bring considerable change arising from the integration with Newport, but I’m confident that withyour dedication and support, and that of our colleagues in Newport, we can look forward to another 100years of providing access to quality education for the communities we serve and our students fromacross the globe.

Professor Julie LydonVice-Chancellor

staffroom 3

vice-chancellor’s message

4 staffroom

BUILDINGFOR THE FUTURE

H l M h ll

2010 20152012

Contents

14

20

16

10

News 5-7

BA Partnership 8

In pictures 9

Research Matters 10-11

YourGlamorgan 12-13

Infographic 14-15

LRC development 16-17

2012 ELTA awards 18

Team profile 20-21

Five minutes with… 22

Staff Room is produced under the guidance of theeditorial board: Jeremy Atkinson, Robert Baker,William Callaway and Robert Payne.

Editor: Mike NormansellDesign: Glamorgan Print

For more information, contactmnormans@glam.ac.uk or call 01443 482889.

Staff Room MagazineMarketing & Student RecruitmentUniversity of Glamorgan, Treforest, CF37 1DL.

6

9

Comments?Questions?Feedback?Have Your Say is the dedicated mouthpiece for staff oneverything from policy, to parking and timetabling. TheVC has made a strong commitment to regularcommunication via this route and has promised everyquery will be responded to in a timely manner.

A big thank you to Rob Payneand Jeremy Atkinson whoboth stepped down from theirroles on the staffroom editorialboard recently after a number ofyears’ support. Rob steppeddown following his new rolebased in UHOVI (keyappointments, p13), whileJeremy leaves the University tobegin enjoying his retirement(Fond Farewell, p11).

staffroom 5

news

Glamorgan makes top five in Wales

The University of Glamorgan is rated as one of the top five universities in Wales,alongside Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth,and Bangor, according to the 2013 SundayTimes Good University Guide published onSeptember 30.

The Times Guide – considered by many asthe UK’s leading University league table –also rates Glamorgan as top in Wales for thelowest rate of unemployment among itsgraduates, and places us in Wales’s top threeuniversities for the quality of our teaching.

On hearing the results, Vice-Chancellor JulieLydon said, “This success is a tribute to thehard work of Glamorgan’s staff and ourcommitment to producing workplace-readygraduates, working with the professions,industry, and the voluntary sector to ensurethat our academic programmes meet theirneeds.”

The success means we regain our position astop new university in Wales, placed 92nd inthe table above Glyndwr (106), UW Trinity(107=), Cardiff Metropolitan (109), and UW,Newport (118).

Latest PG prospectusnow available

The 2013-14postgraduateprospectus isnow availablefor bulk ordersusing theMarketingResourcesForm onStafflife.

Marketing hasworked withGlamorgan

Print to produce a centenary edition of theprospectus in a handy, compact publication.It contains the key information thatpostgraduates need in a user-friendly format.Potential postgraduate students can alsochoose to create a customised prospectusonline that is delivered straight to their inboxas a PDF file. It takes several months andmany contributors to produce thepostgraduate prospectus – thanks toeveryone who helped. To order your printedcopies of the 2013-14 postgraduateprospectus, please see Stafflife or e-mailaskmarketing@glam.ac.uk

Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art and Electronicand Electrical Engineering; and we retained ourjoint top spot in Wales for Accounting.

Vice-Chancellor, Julie Lydon, expressed hergratitude to staff for their hard work in helpingachieve this great result; “At Glamorgan thestudent experience is at the centre of what wedo and these results reflect the commitment ofstaff to providing a first-class experience. Wecelebrate our centenary at Glamorgan next year,and these results are a fantastic way to enterthis landmark year for the University.”

Glamorgan’s overall student satisfaction scoreis now 83% according to this year’s NationalStudent Satisfaction (NSS) Survey.

Our two percentage point jump since 2011’sresults bucked the national trend, which sawclose competitor institutions in Wales suffersharp declines in their ratings.

Cardiff Met’s overall student satisfaction scorefell seven percentage points to 75%.

There was similar success at subject level:Glamorgan achieved the maximum 100%satisfaction rating in mathematics andchemistry, putting us top in the UK in theseareas. We are also top in Wales for Social Policy,

Studentsatisfactionjumps twopoints to 83%

An extensive press and marketing campaignhas been launched to highlight the newdevelopment, targeting the estimated 30,000potential UK students who did not accept anoffer through the clearing system. Director ofRecruitment and External Affairs, Peter Crofts,said, “The initiative will complement what hastraditionally been a recruitment point for theinternational market. It’s targeting the pool ofUK students who, for whatever reason, electednot to start University in September, by offeringthem the chance to ‘get back on track’ to wherethey would have been had they started a coursein September 2012. We’ll also be able to offerFebruary applicants, who meet the criteria, aCentenary bursary worth £1500 to help withaccommodation costs.”

Two open events targeting February startstudents will be held on 4 December (1-4pm)and 19 January 2013 (10am-1pm).

More information on the initiative, including therange of courses available, can be found atwww.glam.ac.uk/fasttrack

The University recently launched thirteenFebruary-start undergraduate awards in a bid tocapture a new niche in the recruitment market offloating applicants who have neither acceptedany of their Clearing university offers or gone onto employment or further study.

Market research has indicated that there are asignificant number of potential students whonow regret not taking up an offer of a place atuniversity this summer.

Called Fast-Track First Year, applicants will begiven the chance to complete the first year oftheir degree between February and July 2013,before starting their second year in September2013. Each Faculty will be offering courses forFebruary start spanning a broad range ofsubject areas.

Students getnew window ofopportunity

6 staffroom

news

Snapshot

Glamorgan has signed a landmark agreementwith British Airways to combine technical trainingfor one of the world’s leading airlines with theenhanced career prospects of a university degree.Business Development Director, John Francis,said, “This is really exciting opportunity and anexcellent example of our ability to develop multi-faceted and effective relationships across theUniversity with major organisations.” (Read a Q&Awith BA’s Bill Kelly on P11).

Treforest’s £18m Mountain Halls accommodationwas officially opened on Friday 21 September byOwen Smith MP, alongside Mick Antoniw, AM,Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor, Doug Williams andMayor of Pontypridd, Gwyneth Whiles. The eventwas held at the Hub – a social centre at the heartof the new development. The development alsobecame the highest-scoring multi-residentialbuilding in Wales according to BREEAM – theinternational scheme for assessing sustainability.

Rolf Harris visited the University of Glamorganrecently to film an episode of his latest TV seriesfor BBC Wales. Harris visited the ATRiuM campusand set 3D Animation students a challenge torecreate the work of Swansea-based artist EvanWalters in 3D, using their visual effects skills andthe latest technology.

NAME/ENW

JOB TITLE/TEITL SWYDD

DEPARTMENT/ADRAN

Delivery of the DEHOV and First Campus projectshas been reassigned following a review of theUniversity’s widening access resources. DEHOVwill now be delivered via the UHOVI team, whohave been working in close partnership with CeLLon the project since its launch. First Campusactivities will be managed by Haydn Blackey whois responsible for the University’s community andFE college partnerships in SE Wales anddelivering the University’s learning and teachingstrategy.

Topshop, Holland House Hotel, ING Direct,Capital Radio, Marriott and the MillenniumStadium are just some of the major employersthat are targetting Glamorgan students at highprofile recruitment events this autumn, thanks tothe Glam Edge initiative. The Careers &Employability Service, part of Student Services, isencouraging students to network with a widerange of organisations in order to add to theirindustry-endorsed ‘Passport to Employability’.More information http://glamedge.glam.ac.uk/

All staff will be issued with new security cards inthe coming months as part of an initiative toimprove the safety of all campus users. The IDcards feature a passport-style photo with theowner’s name, job title and faculty or department,allowing anyone to be easily identified. Staff willbe asked to carry their ID everywhere they go oncampus. The cards also double up as secure doorkeys giving staff access to authorised areas. Asthe cards are rolled out across departments youwill be contacted to provide a photo.

Quicker access to the PCs in labs, lecture theatresand teaching rooms (GPTs) has been madepossible with the launch of the “stafflab” account.The account provides optimum login speed aswell as remote access to your own desktop PC,allowing you to retrieve files. Simply login usingthe ID “stafflab” and password, which is availableon request from IS-Support (2882). Remoteaccess to users’ own PC folders is also availablevia the Remote Access desktop icon.

Traffic calming measures are being installed onLlantwit Road as part of the Treforest CommunityRoute development. Works include upgrading ofthe mini roundabout, improvements to streetlighting and traffic reduction measures, includingkerb realignment and installation of speed-bumps. A 20mph zone has also been proposed.The pelican crossing is due to be upgraded atChristmas before works continue along ParkStreet and the gyratory area until February 2013.

Two new catering outlets opened on Glamorgancampuses at the start of this term. Cafe Xpress –situated in J-Block, on the site of the formerBytes Café -- offers Grab ‘N’ Go drinks,sandwiches and hot snacks. The Matrix Cafe –situated in the Alfred Russel Wallace building atUpper Glyntaff -- has been upgraded to offer a fullservice coffee shop offering premium coffees,sandwiches, snacks and features comfortableseating and public access PCs for visitors tobrowse the internet while grabbing a coffee.

Nia Boulton

Alumni Database Officer

Marketing & Student Recruitment

SERC works withITM power on ‘EcoIsland’ project on Isle of WightGlamorgan’s Sustainable Environment ResearchCentre (SERC) has secured a grant for acollaborative project to help build a hydrogenenergy storage and vehicle refuelling system onthe Isle of Wight.

The £4.66m project is being led by ITM Power (anenergy storage and clean fuel company) and willbring together the expertise of partners includingIBM, Toshiba and Cable & Wireless to help ITMoptimise their hydrogen refuelling technology.

A team from Glamorgan, lead by Jon Maddy, willuse the University’s own refuelling technology toevaluate the performance and operatingcharacteristics of ITM’s refuelling stations with theaim of optimising their operational efficiency, tomake them more viable for commercialapplication.

Two recently-launched online sources ofinformation – Key Information Sets (KIS) andwww.university.which.co.uk – will change the wayundergraduates search and select courses.

Key Information Sets is the officially approvedcomparison data on all full-time undergraduateuniversity courses. All institutions are required toprovide data to www.unistats.org.uk including:course fees, teaching hours and projectedearnings on graduation. The KIS ‘widget’, thatdisplays the information, started to appear onundergraduate full-time course pages from theend of October, meaning prospective studentscan now see this information every time they viewa course page.

Which? – the UK’s foremost independentconsumer product testing organisation – enteredthe HE market in May, launching Which?

University (www.university.which.co.uk) offeringadvice and guidance on what and where to study.The site allows comparison of over 30,000courses using the same data as Unistats, withadditional statistics provided by Which? TheWhich? site is expected to be used by parentsand other advisors, while the Unistats site is morelikely to be used by potential students, as it isclosely linked with the UCAS website.

Professor Clive Mulholland, DVC (Research &Student Experience) said, “Both these sourcesare expected to transform the application processby allowing far easier comparison of coursesacross universities, and impact – both positivelyand negatively – on applications to individualcourses. It’s important therefore that teachingstaff monitor theirs and their competitors’ courseinformation to see how they compare.”

European FundingSuccessDuring the past six months the University hassecured European research contracts amountingto €1.6m in grant aid. Projects, includingCRAFTEM, ORION, DYNAMO and ARIADNE, willoperate in collaboration with partners acrossEurope. Leading academics in the Faculties ofAdvanced Technology and Health, Sport andScience were supported by Glamorgan’sEuropean Development Team to develop fundingapplications and negotiate contracts throughFramework Programme 7 and the Research Fundfor Coal and Steel.

The EURO team has seen a series of changesrecently, including the Finance Unit’s move intocentral Finance, where they will continue toprovide financial management support to EUROfunded-projects. The European DevelopmentTeam, Sue John, Leanne Crawley and ClaytonJones, remain in Forest Grove and continue to bethe first port-of-call for staff pitching potentialEuropean projects or ideas. Post award supportand claims are available via Simon Landy.

Research Brief

news

staffroom 7

News in brief

Click and claimThe process for staff claiming expensesfrom the University is to become fullyautomated. The old paper forms will bereplaced by a bespoke online system thatwill allow staff to submit expense claimsvia a secure electronic form that can beapproved and sent to finance forprocessing at the touch of a button. Thesystem is expected to significantlyreduce the current paper trail, as well asspeed up the time it takes for staff toreceive payment. A launch date is yet tobe confirmed but is expected to bepiloted late this year. A new, permanentlink will be created in the links bar onStafflife to enable quick access to thesystem.

Eco-payWork is underway to launch ‘paperless’payslips as part of a continuing drivetowards reducing the amount of paperused by the University. Online payslipswill allow staff to securely access theirpayslip details via Stafflife and also printout copies if they need to. The systemwill also allow users to look back throughan archive of previous payslips. Look outfor more information on Stafflife in thecoming weeks.

Regrading freezeThe University reached agreement withrecognised Trade Unions in September totemporarily suspend the current re-grading exercise. A challenging operatingenvironment and our current staff-to-income costs ratio – already among thehighest in Wales – were cited as leadingfactors in the decision. Applicationssubmitted by the recent deadline (30September) will be retained until the nextround of re-grading.

Dotcoms help students compare the market

8 staffroom

interview

British Airways and the University of Glamorgansigned a landmark agreement in September tocombine technical training for one of the world’sleading airlines with the enhanced career prospectsof a university degree. Staff Room went to find outmore...

SR: This is the first partnership of its kind for BA.Can you explain what it involves?

Bill: This really is a unique partnership for BA, andthe first time for us to link-up with a university in thisway. Under the new initiative, to be accredited bythe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), engineers willgraduate from Glamorgan with a BSc degree inAircraft Maintenance Engineering having alsocompleted the industry-standard EASA Part 66training, awarded under British Airways’ licence.British Airways staff will also have the opportunity tostudy postgraduate and undergraduate modulesfrom the University.

SR: Why is BA so proud of this partnership?

Bill: As the largest airline in the UK and a globalplayer in the aviation market, British Airways takesits relationship with education seriously. Thisinitiative cements our links with Glamorgan, and wehope to develop our partnership further in thecoming months.

SR: Why have you chosen Glamorgan for thispartnership?

Bill: The University is one of the world’s fewinstitutions to have its own Aerospace Centre,airliner and flight simulator. This makes it anexcellent facility for us. In addition, BA employs over1,400 people across three sites in South Wales, andthis partnership will ensure that we continue toproduce world-class engineers, ready to take on thechallenge of maintaining our fleet.

SR: So in the future Glamorgan trained engineerswill be working on aircraft which operate across theglobe?

Bill: Absolutely. BA is a global airline, flying to over150 destinations in more than 70 countries.Glamorgan graduates will be able to benefit fromBritish Airways Engineering’s global reputation forengineering excellence.

This is an exciting time for the airline, with next-generation aircraft such as the Boeing 787 andAirbus A380 presenting new challenges for ourengineers. Partnering with Glamorgan will allow usto develop the skills necessary to take our businessforward.

BA Partnershipgives Glamorgangraduates a flying startBill Kelly, General Manager, HeavyMaintenance, at British Airways talksabout the new partnership.

Bill Kelly

staffroom 9

feature

In pictures...

1. Student callers contact around 2000 alumni as part of Glamorgan’sfirst ever Autumn Telephone Campaign in October/November.

2. Professors Hugh Coombs, Anne Marie Doherty and Simon Thomasworked together with Cardiff City Council to help establish the newly-launched Cardiff City Museum -- known as the Cardiff Story -- on theHayes.

3. A fully-refurbished B2 section of B Block is now open for teaching,offering plush new classrooms and facilities.

4. The Cash Office has extended its opening hours from 9-12 and 2-4pm daily (3.30pm Friday) in response to high demand from students.

5. Finance is currently located on the first floor of B2 – through thisdoor and up the stairs – use the entry phone for access.

6. Demolition of the former directorate offices and reception of B Blockis now complete.

7. Glamorgan Staff and students joined the world’s biggest coffeemorning at the GCC in October raising £246.80 in aid of MacmillanCancer Support.

8. Richard Ward, (pictured, left) a Study Skills Tutor in AT is the proudwinner of a new mountain bike after completing the Green Travel Surveythis summer.

9. The Assessment and Awards Unit are once again looking for stewardsand marshals to help with the December Graduation Ceremonies. Submit your availability at http://arstaff.glam.ac.uk/graduation/.

10. Staff still using the Microsoft XP operating system will get upgradedto Windows 7 in the coming months to ensure systems can continue torun effectively.

1

6

4

5

2

3

7

8 9

10

10 staffroom

feature

Professor Nigel Copner is Chair of Optoelectronicsand Head of the Optoelectronics Research andInnovation Centre (ORIC), part of the Faculty ofAdvanced Technology at Glamorgan.

Optoelectronics relates to the integration of photonics (optical systems,such as optical fibre, lasers etc) with electronic systems. Optoelectronicshas practical applications that touch almost every aspect of our modern

lives – TVs, LED displays, cinema projection and mobile smart phonesare just a few.

Nigel’s team at Glamorgan searches for commercially viablebreakthroughs in key sectors such as communications, energyand life sciences. Already the team have made breakthroughs inthe areas of low-carbon lighting, solar panel technology,medical instruments, optical sensors, and ultra-sensitivedistance measuring tools, accurate to tenths of a nanometre.And there’s no sign that they’re slowing down; the team isworking on a raft of exciting projects with industry-leadingorganisations, all of which could have potentially ground-breaking implications for the next generation ofoptoelectronics.

Professor Copner said, “Optoelectronics is a key enablingtechnology that underpins at least three of the Governmentdirectives, i.e. low carbon, digital and life science economies.ORIC has demonstrated within a short time that exciting andworld leading research can be initiated enabling majorUniversity impacts, job creation and student credibility through

employability.”

Research matters

A FondFarewell…

Professor DannySaunders, Head of theCentre for LifelongLearning, retired inOctober after 34 years’service with theUniversity and the former

Polytechnic of Wales. Danny spent thepast 18 years as a Professor at theUniversity and was the founding Head ofthe Centre for Lifelong Learning in 1999.During his time at Glamorgan, Dannyhelped secure over £5 million of funding forwidening access projects. The mostprestigious involved designing anddelivering the core training programme forover 600 Learning Coaches throughout the14-19 Learning Networks of Wales, andleading a digital technology work-basedlearning programme in the heads of thevalleys. Danny said, “I am proud to havebeen a part of the University of Glamorgan.We have made a big difference to the livesof so many people from diversebackgrounds.”

Jeremy Atkinson,Director of LCSS, retiredin October, closing hisfinal career chapter after21 years of service withthe University. Arrivingfrom Newcastle

Polytechnic in 1991, Jeremy set aboutmaking a series of improvements to thelibrary services and facilities at the Treforestand Glyntaff LRCs. He was theninstrumental in the convergence of the LRCand ISeLS in 2006 into one department,LCSS. Jeremy was a well-respected andactive member of the University who alsocontributed much on the national stagethrough his work with JISC (JointInformation Systems Committee) andSCONUL (Society for College, National andUniversity Libraries).

After devoting over 20years of his professionallife to Glamorgan,Malcolm Taylor, whohas been a key memberof the InternationalRecruitment team since

2006, will be retiring at the end of the year.His colleagues in the International Office,said, “We feel very privileged to have hadthe opportunity to work with such adedicated colleague and wonderful friend.As Malcolm enters this very well-deserved,exciting new stage in his life, we would liketo wish him all the very best for the future!”

staffroom 11

Tuning lasers: the team is helpingRenishaw improve laser technology by creatinga “hop free” laser beam that maintains a stablefrequency – allowing for more reliablemeasurements and data transfer. Thistechnology could be used in multiple sectors,including meterology, life-science and thetelecoms.

Ultra-fast Wi-Fi: The team is carryingout research into wireless broadband systemsin collaboration with Sub10, the Devon-basedmarket leader in high-speed wirelesscommunication links. Using mm-wave links(one step higher than microwaves) the teamhas devised a high-speed data link that couldtransfer up to 1 Gigabyte of data per secondwirelessly. Four trial links have been set up oncampus to test various setups andenvironments. The technology could haveapplications in 4G and LAN extensions andcould replace fibre optics in some places.

Very broad-band: the team has alsorecently developed a new ultrafast techniquefor transferring data through fibre-optics, whichcould result in an enormous uplift in the speed,quality, consistency and reliability of internetservices.

Next generation HD: With supportfrom the UK’s Technology Strategy Board, thisproject aims to improve the quality of high-endprojection equipment – such as cinema

projectors – to increase colour range anddefinition, as well as the life span of the lightsources themselves.

Nano-rulers: Using their own tuneablelaser technology, the team is working withEPSRC to achieve ultra-accurate andsimultaneous distance measurements ofmultiple targets, accurate to tenths of ananometre. Practical use could include wing-span measurements in aircraft manufacturing,to achieve more precise symmetry. The workhas attracted interest from the NationalPhysical Laboratory (the UK instituteresponsible for standardised measurement) foruse at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Bright futures: The Carbon Trust and aprivate investor asked Nigel’s team to test thefeasibility of a unique organic LED that couldprovide cheaper, more efficient and long lastinglighting, whilst also contributing to carbonreduction.

Super-fast laser links: An EADSproject is looking at producing a 1 Gbit/s laserlink that could provide more effective and lowercost real-time video communications duringsporting events and has practical uses forpolice helicopters and UAVs.

What is the teamworking on...?

Team ORIC: First row from left: Dr Jungang Huang, Sara Carver, Professor Nigel Copner, Dr AkramHammoudeh, Dr Yongkang Gong, Shyam Patel. Second row from left: Gene Koch, Vincent Alvo,Sivanathan Sivagunalan, Dr Juan Martinez.

12 staffroom

main feature

YourGlamorgan

Student satisfaction is central to oursustainability as an institution. And in anincreasingly challenging recruitmentenvironment, our ability to quickly andeffectively handle enquiries and applicationsfrom prospective students will play asignificant role in our competitiveness.

Building on this ethos, the University’sApplicant Online Services Project has beenworking tirelessly to improve our students’online applicant experience over the past 18months, streamlining the journey from initialenquiry, right through to enrolment andmigration to Glamlife.

Their latest achievement is YourGlamorgan;an enquiry and applicant portal that,coupled with the simultaneousredevelopment of the University’s onlineadmissions system, ADMIT, allows for amore intuitive and customer-focusedexperience for applicants from both the UKand overseas.

Building upon the University’s alreadyextensive admissions developments,including the launch of ADMIT in 2011,YourGlamorgan has been a truly pan-University collaboration, involving facultiesand departments contributing their day-to-day experiences to the design.

Chair of the Applicant Online ServicesProject, Ioan Evans, told Staffroom what itwill mean for us…

How has YourGlamorganmade things easier forenquirers and applicants?

Put simply, there isnow a single log onfor all enquirers andapplicants. It meansthey no longer haveto enter theirpersonal detailsevery time they wantto do something:order a prospectus,book to attend an

open day, or postgraduate open evening. Nowthey can just click a button and it’s booked –no personal details required. And if they wantto apply for a course, their details get carriedover to an online application form. For directapplicants (those that don’t apply via UCAS) itmeans they can not only apply online, but canalso track the status of their applicationthrough their own personalised portal.

Does it speed up the processfor applicants?

Yes - one of the cornerstones of the ADMITdevelopment has been to enable fasterresponse times to applicants. So, while allapplications are still scrutinised and assessedwith the same vigour, we are now able toreceive, asses and respond within 24 hours toapplicants who submit a complete applicationonline.

How does it make life easierfor staff?

The paperless nature of the system means thatapplications can be referred between E&A andfaculties instantly, therefore improvingcommunications whilst ensuring a clear audittrail in terms of actions and decisions takenwith each application.

What other changes havebeen made to the enquiriesand applications processrecently?

During this year’s Confirmation & Clearingperiod, a new tool was added to ADMIT thatallows us to send direct, instant offer emails toapplicants who meet the entry requirements.Staff can send this while they are on thetelephone to the applicant and this improvedour Clearing conversion rate by 6% on 2011entry. Previously, all offers were collated andsent in bulk, often 24 hours after the initialcontact from the prospective student.

These developments now allow us to use theportal as a communication tool and targetpersonal announcements and instructions toboth enquirers and applicants, whether theyare an undergraduate or postgraduate, home oran international student.

What future developmentsshould we look out for?

The next stages of development, due to bereleased in January 2013, is the facility to allowsuccessful applicants to accept their offeronline, rather than via email. This will makeaccepting a Glamorgan offer a one-stepprocess, whilst also having the capacity to viewdetails of any applicant or interview days.Further developments will allow someapplicants to pay fees via their portal, againimproving the applicant’s experience andinteraction with the University.

Creating an excellent experience for our students starts well before they enter the classroom… it starts with the enquiries and application process.

Ioan Evans

KeyAppointments

FBS has appointedDonna Whitehead tohead the School of Law,Accounting and Finance.Donna, 31, who formerlyled the law team at

Sunderland University, is a specialist infamily law and is qualified to practise lawin England and Wales and New York. Sherepresents the professional regulatorybody for law (JASB) at law validation andrevalidation events.

Dr Peter Mayer (Head ofthe School of Psychology)has been appointedAssociate Dean (FBS) on a60% contract, remainingin his substantive post for

the rest of his time. And Dr AndrewRogers has beenappointed interim Head ofthe Glamorgan BusinessSchool. Both are fixed-term appointments for thisacademic year, to 31 July2013.

Dr Rob Payne, formerlyof CeLL, has taken up therole as Deputy Director ofUHOVI. He has a proventrack record in wideningaccess issues, coupled

with experience in academic quality andstudent affairs.

Robert Baker (HR) andPaula McIntyre (HeSaS)have taken up roles asProgramme Directors,tasked with delivering theEffectiveness and Growth

strands (respectively) of the Building forthe Future programme. Both aresecondment roles for a period of oneyear. Mal Scofield (AT) will cover Paula’sHead of Administration role in HeSaS ona 60% contract for the duration of theyear.

Jonathan Frost hasjoined the University asDirector of Finance &Risk, a newly-createdrole reporting to the DVC(Strategic Resources),

Huw Williams. Jon‘s initial aim is toreposition Finance within the organisationas a positive strategic enabler.

staffroom 13

“Not only has this project vastlyimproved the application experiencefor new students, it has improved ourconversion rate as applications arenow processed more effectively, moreefficiently and more promptly, whileensuring that none of the rigorous

academic assessment of applications is neglected.”Moira Davies, Academic Admissions Tutor (HeSaS)

“YourGlamorgan meets the highdemands of an institution withmultiple intakes for both home andinternational students, whileenabling us to aspire to increaseour overseas intake.”Bobby Mehta, Head of International and Business Development (FBS)

BUIL

DIN

GFO

R TH

E FU

TURE

In N

ove

mb

er 2

01

0,

the

bo

ard

ap

pro

ved

th

e U

niv

ersi

ty S

trat

egy

for

the

per

iod

2

01

0-1

5 o

utl

inin

g a

lo

ng

-ter

m v

isio

n

and

mis

sio

n f

or

the

Un

iver

sity

.

UN

IVER

SITY

STR

ATE

GY

OU

R V

ISIO

N

OU

R M

ISSI

ON

“Tr

ansf

orm

ing

liv

es t

hro

ug

h p

rofe

ssio

nal

, em

plo

ymen

t-fo

cuss

ed h

igh

er e

du

cati

on

an

d

dis

tin

ctiv

e re

sear

ch a

nd

in

no

vati

on

rel

evan

t to

so

cial

, cu

ltu

ral

and

eco

no

mic

nee

ds.

”

“B

y 2

01

5 t

he

Un

iver

sity

will

be

un

riva

lled

fo

r it

s p

rofe

ssio

nal

, em

plo

ymen

t-fo

cuss

ed

edu

cati

on

an

d r

esea

rch

in

form

ed

inn

ova

tio

n a

nd

bu

sin

ess

eng

agem

ent.

”

In o

rder

to

ach

ieve

ou

r vi

sio

n a

nd

mis

sio

n,

we

nee

d t

o p

erfo

rm a

t o

r ab

ove

all

of

ou

r 1

3 C

riti

cal

Perf

orm

ance

In

dic

ato

rs b

y 2

01

5.

To e

nsu

re w

e ac

hie

ve t

his

, D

irec

tora

te h

as f

orm

ula

ted

Bu

ildin

g

for

the

Futu

re t

o s

up

po

rt c

urr

ent

acti

viti

es i

n

mee

tin

g o

ur

stra

teg

ic p

rio

riti

es..

.

DEV

ELO

PMEN

TEF

FEC

TIV

ENES

SST

UD

ENT

SUC

CES

S

WH

Y A

RE W

E D

OIN

G T

HIS

?

Hel

en M

arsh

all

Huw

Will

iam

sPr

of. C

live

Mul

holla

nd

Th

ree

str

an

ds

he

lpin

g t

o g

row

th

e

org

an

isa

tio

n i

n n

um

be

rs,

pro

vis

ion

a

nd

ca

pa

city

...

““

“

“”

””

”1.

STU

DEN

T G

RO

WTH

1. R

ETEN

TIO

N

2. E

MPL

OYA

BIL

ITY

2. B

USI

NES

S EN

GA

GEM

ENT

HO

W?

t

hro

ug

h F

E C

olle

ge

par

tner

ship

s

c

ou

rses

e.g

:

- C

reat

ive

ind

ust

ries

,

- Fi

nan

cial

& p

rofe

ssio

nal

ser

vice

s

- ST

EM s

ub

ject

s

Cre

atin

g s

ust

ain

able

in

com

e fr

om

n

on

-tra

dit

ion

al f

un

din

g s

ou

rces

...

Un

de

rsta

nd

ing

th

e r

eso

urc

es

we

h

av

e a

nd

th

e m

ost

eff

icie

nt

wa

y

to u

se t

he

m..

.

WE’

RE

REV

IEW

ING

HO

W W

E W

OR

K

Aca

dem

ic e

ffic

ien

cy a

nd

eff

ecti

ven

ess

Org

anis

atio

nal

eff

icie

ncy

an

d p

roce

ss

Per

form

ance

man

agem

ent

Giv

ing

ou

r st

ud

en

ts t

he

be

st p

oss

ible

ch

an

ce o

f su

cce

ss i

n t

he

ir s

tud

ies

an

d

be

yo

nd

...

Ensu

rin

g o

ur

stu

den

ts g

et a

the

clas

sro

om

, in

th

e lib

rary

, o

r o

n c

amp

us.

(

CEL

T /

RA

P /

etc.

)

Equ

ip g

rad

uat

es w

ith

so

ug

ht-

afte

r sk

ills,

kn

ow

led

ge

and

han

ds-

on

83%

2012

NSS

ove

rall

sati

sfac

tio

n

sco

re75%

targ

et

for

stu

den

t re

ten

tio

n

by

2015

60%

Gla

mo

rgan

’s

staf

f co

sts

as

a p

erce

nta

ge

of

inco

me

56%

Ave

rag

e am

on

gst

w

elsh

un

iver

siti

es

VIC

E-C

HA

NC

ELLO

R

PRO

GRA

MM

E M

OD

EL:

2010

2015

2012

OU

R A

PPR

OA

CH

71%

19,7

00si

ze o

f st

ud

ent

po

pu

lati

on

b

y 20

15

14 staffroom

“”

3. IN

TER

NA

TIO

NA

L

To b

eco

me

an i

nte

rnat

ion

al

edu

cati

on

pro

vid

er o

f ch

oic

e...

Cre

ate

sust

ain

able

res

earc

h

& a

cad

emic

par

tner

ship

s

that

em

plo

yers

dem

and

.

£10k

Extr

a in

com

e p

er h

ead

of

acad

emic

st

aff

req

uir

ed t

o h

it

Wel

sh a

vera

ge

TAR

GET

ou

r to

tal

inco

me

fro

m i

nte

rnat

ion

al

acti

viti

es b

y 2

01

5.

WE

NEE

D Y

OU

R ID

EAS.

..

WH

ERE

DO

ES IT

FIT

WIT

H T

HE

MER

GER

?Th

e B

uild

ing

fo

r th

e Fu

ture

pro

gra

mm

e w

ou

ld b

e h

app

enin

g w

ith

or

wit

ho

ut

a m

erg

er.

have

your

say@

glam

.ac.

uk

of

ou

r in

com

e n

eed

s to

co

me

fro

m

no

n-H

EFC

Wso

urc

es b

y 20

15

mea

n h

avin

g t

o r

ecru

it a

rou

nd

60

0 f

ew

er

stu

den

ts b

etw

een

20

14

-16

TAR

GET

930

0

% o

f st

ud

ents

in e

mp

loym

ent

or

furt

her

st

ud

y w

ith

in s

ix

mo

nth

s o

f g

rad

uat

ion

0

staffroom 15

You

may

hav

e al

read

y he

ard

the

Vic

e-C

hanc

ello

r ta

lkin

gab

out

the

Bui

ldin

g fo

r th

e Fu

ture

Pro

gram

me

at t

he C

amp

us A

dd

ress

esan

d s

een

men

tions

of i

t in

Cor

e B

rief a

nd o

ther

inte

rnal

com

mun

icat

ions

in r

elat

ion

to o

ur g

row

th, e

ffici

ency

and

stu

den

tsu

cces

s p

lans

. The

pro

gram

me

enco

mp

asse

s al

l of t

his

activ

ityan

d m

ore.

Bro

adly

sp

eaki

ng, t

he B

uild

ing

for

the

Futu

rep

rogr

amm

e ha

s b

een

form

ulat

ed b

y D

irect

orat

e to

sup

por

tcu

rren

t ac

tiviti

es in

ach

ievi

ng o

ur s

trat

egic

prio

ritie

s, a

s se

t ou

t in

the

Uni

vers

ity S

trat

egy,

201

0-15

.

The

pro

gram

me

com

pris

es t

hree

maj

or t

hem

es -

Dev

elo

pm

ent,

Eff

ecti

vene

ssan

d S

tud

ent

Suc

cess

, eac

h sp

onso

red

by

am

emb

er o

f dire

ctor

ate,

rep

ortin

g to

the

Vic

e-C

hanc

ello

r. Th

isre

por

ting

line

emp

hasi

zes

the

imp

orta

nce

of t

he p

rogr

amm

ein

stitu

tiona

lly, i

n en

surin

g th

at w

e re

mai

n st

rong

and

sus

tain

able

as a

hig

her

educ

atio

n p

rovi

der

in s

outh

eas

t W

ales

, with

or

with

out

a m

erge

r. W

e ar

e ed

ucat

ion

pro

vid

ers,

but

we

also

nee

dto

op

erat

e in

a b

usin

ess-

like

way

. Und

er e

ach

of t

he t

hem

es a

re a

num

ber

of p

roje

ct s

tran

ds

that

hav

e b

een

form

ulat

ed t

o ta

rget

spec

ific

area

s of

our

day

-to-

day

op

erat

iona

l act

iviti

es. T

hep

rogr

amm

e’s

obje

ctiv

es a

re fo

cuss

ed o

n ac

cele

ratin

g ou

rp

erfo

rman

ce a

gain

st o

ur 1

3 C

ritic

al P

erfo

rman

ce In

dic

ator

s(C

PIs

), ap

pro

ved

by

the

Boa

rd in

201

0 to

mon

itor

pro

gres

sag

ains

t ou

r st

rate

gic

prio

ritie

s.

Our

CP

Is m

easu

re o

ur p

erfo

rman

ce a

gain

st a

who

le r

ange

of o

urac

tiviti

es a

s a

Uni

vers

ity. A

mon

g th

em a

re s

tud

ent

targ

ets

such

as

satis

fact

ion,

ret

entio

n an

d e

mp

loya

bili

ty, s

et t

o en

sure

tha

tst

uden

t ex

per

ienc

e re

mai

ns a

cen

tral

focu

s of

our

act

iviti

es. O

urre

sear

ch a

nd e

ngag

emen

t m

easu

res

set

us a

mb

itiou

s ta

rget

s fo

rin

crea

sing

the

leve

ls o

f inc

ome

we

rece

ive

from

are

as s

uch

asre

sear

ch, c

omm

erci

al e

ngag

emen

t an

d in

tern

atio

nal a

ctiv

ities

.A

nd o

ur fi

nanc

ial m

easu

res

put

tar

gets

in p

lace

for

red

ucin

gop

erat

ing

cost

s an

d e

nsur

ing

a he

alth

y b

alan

ce s

heet

for

the

univ

ersi

ty. F

urth

er d

etai

ls o

f our

CP

Is, a

nd 2

010-

15 s

trat

egy

are

avai

lab

le o

n re

que

st fr

om M

ark

Cad

wal

lad

er.

The

Bui

ldin

g fo

r th

e Fu

ture

pro

ject

tea

ms

beg

an m

eetin

g in

Sep

tem

ber

201

2 to

agr

ee o

bje

ctiv

es fo

r th

e fo

rthc

omin

g ye

ar, a

ndin

the

com

ing

wee

ks a

nd m

onth

s yo

u w

ill b

e he

arin

g m

uch

mor

eab

out

this

pro

gram

me

of a

ctiv

ity, a

s it

bec

omes

a fu

ndam

enta

lp

art

of o

ur d

ay t

o d

ay o

per

atio

ns. T

he in

fogr

aphi

c ab

ove

isd

esig

ned

to

give

you

an

intr

oduc

tory

ove

rvie

w o

f the

pro

gram

me’

s ke

y th

emes

and

how

the

y re

late

to

each

oth

er, s

oth

at a

s p

rogr

ess

is m

ade

in e

ach

stra

nd o

f act

ivity

and

we

talk

abou

t th

em in

muc

h m

ore

det

ail,

you

will

und

erst

and

the

wid

erco

ntex

t in

whi

ch t

hey

sit.

Wha

t is

Bu

ildin

g f

or

the

Futu

re?

16 staffroom

main feature

Progress on the £6m LRC refurbishmentprogramme in Treforest continues well, with anumber of the projectʼsphases nowsimultaneouslyunderway towards thecompletion date ofDecember 2013.

Contractors MIDAS were appointed inSeptember to undertake the 16-monthprogramme of works that will modernise andrefurbish Treforest’s Learning ResourcesCentre inside and out.

The complex project includes part-demolition, extensive internal restructuringand re-designation of the building to create amore modern facility fit for an ever-moredemanding student population. The work ismade more difficult by the fact that the facilityneeds to remain operational throughout theduration of the works, to continue providingfront-line services to students during termtime.

To do this, the project has been split intophases, with invasive periods of workinvolving student areas in the LRC beingscheduled during extended term breaks suchas Christmas, Easter and the summer. Workon areas of the building not used by students,such as back-office support functions, isbeing completed in-term.

Currently underway are phase one (yellow) ofthe programme - refurbishment of the officespace at the rear of the LRC directly behind HBlock (see diagram) – and phase two (lightblue) – which includes demolition, strippingout and refitting of the staff areas aboveGlamorgan Print. Safety barriers have beenerected along the pathway outside LRCwhere the building’s existing concrete façadewill be replaced with a more modern glassfronted aspect overlooking G Block – alsopart of the phase one work.

A new chapter...While some disruptions have beenexperienced as a result of these phases ofwork, contractors are doing all they can tokeep these to a minimum.

Phase three (red) is due to start in the NewYear, which will see internal refurbishmentwork carried out on the remaining staff officeareas on the ground and first floor of thebuilding. Work will also continue during thisphase on the external façade down to theentrance of the LRC.

Phase four (dark blue) – the first to directlyaffect student facing areas of the LRC – willcommence in June 2013 after exams arecompleted, followed by phase five (green) inSeptember 2013 to refurbish the LRCreception and information desk areas of theground floor.

Access to learning resources will not beaffected during term time.

Main Entrance

Study Area

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

Z04

Z06a

Z05

L203a

Z0Z

Z0Z

L202

L201

Z10

Z01Z02

L221

L220

ZZNL20Z

L212L212LZNDING SZRVICZS

L20ZWOZZN

VIDZO STUDIO

L20Z Z A Z Z

OFFICZL206

ROOZ

OFFICZL205

RO

OZ

PR

OZ

ZC

TIO

N

L21Z

WORZSHOPINFORZATION

L210L211L211

LOAN COLLZCTION

L201

ZAIN ZNTRANCZ

L21ZRZCZPTION

VIDZO CONFZRZNCING

L204

LIFT

PLANT

ROOZ

SWITCH

ROOZ

SZCTIONRZFZRZNCZ

L226

SWITCH ROOZL22Z

STORZ ROOZ

LIFT

L.R.C. USZRSL216

SPZCIFIC NZZDS ROOZ

L215

LIZRARY

L200

LIZRARIANS OFFICZ

L214

ZZN

L213WOZZN

L213a

PHASZ 2 ZONDAY 2ZTH AUGUST- 14TH DZCZZZZR 2012

20TH ZAN ZAY 24TH 2013 )

SZPZRATZ ZZTZRNAL WORZS PACZAGZ

PROCURZD SZPARATZLY TO ALLOW

ZARLY START ZUNZ 2012 -SZPTZZZZR 2012

5

2

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

3

LIZRARIANS OFFICZ

ACZUISITIONS AND DATAZASZ

L312

L32Z

ZZDIAZITCHZN

WORZSHOP

L324 L325

DZLIVZRIZSL326

L32Z

LIFT

L32Z

L330

FZZALZTOILZT

L30Z

L313

STUDYL314

STAFF ROOZ

ZZDIA

L323

CONSZRVATION

ZZZTING ROOZL322

OFFICZL321

OFFICZL320

L331

STUDY

STUDY

L316

L315

SZZINAR ROOZL31Z L31Z

L31Z

ZALZTOILZT

FZZALZTOILZT

ZALZTOILZTL30Z

STORZL306

L30Z L305

L303

STAFF ONLY

COZPUTZR ROOZ

L302

SWITCH ROOZ

DOOR PZRZANZNTLY CLOSZD

L300

L304

LIFT

STUDY CARRZLS

L336

PROCZSSING AND I.S. OFFICZ

COPYING

WORZSHOP

OFFICZL332

L333

OFFICZ

OFFICZ

L334

L335

OFFICZ

L341

L340

L33Z L33Z

L33Z

DOWN

VOID

GRAPHIC STUDIO

L342

LIFT

DOWN

L343

Z06a

Z06

Z05

Z04

Z02

Z01

Z0ZZ0Z

L331a

L310STUDY ARZA

COZPUTZR ROOZL310A

L311COZPUTZR ROOZ

L312C

L312A

L312Z

LIZRARY - FIRST FLOOR

PHASZ 3 ZANUARY 1ZTH ZAY 24TH 2013

NZW GAS

PHASZ

PHASZ 1 AUGUST 6TH 2012 -ZANUARY 1ZTH 2013

PHASZ 4 ZAY 24TH 2013 SZPTZZZZR 16TH 2013

1

3 4

staffroom 17

“This highly complex developmenthas set us a huge logisticalchallenge, due to the fact that thebuilding needs to remain as a fullyfunctioning, learning and resourcecentre for our students during abusy academic year. The timetablewe’ve agreed with the contractors isthe best fit solution to minimisedisruption to LRC services andensure that the student experienceis not compromised. This is a reallyexciting development that willprovide our students with a brand-new fully-refurbished and modernlearning resources centre, optimisedto provide the highest qualitylearning and support services to ourstudents.”Alun WoodruffDirector of Estates and Facilities

“The redeveloped LRC will provide,under one roof, huge improvementsfor existing and future students.These will include first-class libraryand IT facilities and flexible learningspaces, as well as modern Careersand Student Finance services. In thecoming years it will be crucial to beable to attract more students to theUniversity and this development willundoubtedly help in that regard.”Steve MorganHead of Learning Resources

PHASE START FINISH

ONE 10th Sept 2012 8th Feb 2013

TWO 17th Sept 2012 12th December 2012

THREE 18th Feb 2013 14th June 2013

FOUR 17th June 13th Sept 2013

FIVE 2nd Sept 2013 6th December 2013

Overall completion/clear site 20th December 2013

LRC – First Floor

LRC – Ground Floor

Works Schedule

ENTRANCE

CE

NTR

AL

AV

EN

UE

CE

NTR

AL

AV

EN

UE

HEALTHCENTRE

13 4

5

2

3

HEALTH

CENTRE

Numbers in boxes indicate phase

18 staffroom

ELTA Awards

The fifth annual Excellencein Learning, Teaching andAssessment (ELTA) Awardstook place on Thursday 20thSeptember at the GlamorganConference Centre. The ELTAAwards seek to recognise andreward excellence in learningand teaching throughout theGlamorgan Group. ProfessorClive Mulholland, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, presented awards to the five category winners.

The ELTA Awards are administered by CELT. The2012/2013 awards programme will be launchedearly next year. Look out for details on how toapply.

n Dr Rea Dennis (CCI)Excellence and innovation in learning andteaching practice

n Rachel Murray (HeSaS)Innovation and excellence in studentassessment

n Jill Kneath-Jones (HeSaS)Demonstrating excellence in academicleadership

n Julie Prior (FBS) & Dr Karen Fitzgibbon (CELT)

Excellence and innovation in studentlearning support

n Dr Heather Skinner (FBS) Excellence in research-informed learningand teaching

Congratulationsto the winners

Getting toknow...

’’‘‘We get one chance at this, so let’s make the

most of it.

Liam Bryson

Liam BrysonStudent and Management Information Unit Manager

staffroom 19

profile

Originally from Kidderminster in Worcestershire, Liam completed a degree inPolitics and Economics, before moving to Salford, where he spent seven yearsworking on social housing estates for the Local Authority. The move to Wales came in early 1999, where he initially spent six years working for CaerphillyCouncil, before joining Glamorgan in 2004. Liam currently lives ‘on top of a hill’with his partner Sian, her two teenagers and their 10 month old baby, Evan. Theirmenagerie consists of 1 cat, 2 rabbits and 7 fish.

Liam has spent most of his eight years at Glamorgan as manager of the Planningand Report Unit (PRU), but following recent changes in Academic Registry he wasappointed manager of the newly-formed Student and Management InformationUnit (SAMI) – uniting PRU with the Student Records team. His new role is to enable synergies to be realised across the two teams and enable efficiency andadministrative improvements. He will also be working with the Student LoanCompany and UKBA record liaison, as well as taking responsibility for online andmanual enrolment and data quality. Liam also retains his previous duties; studentnumber planning, statutory returns, management information provision andcollaboration.

What did you spend your first ever pay cheque on?My student overdraft! I was earning £2.50 an hour. It was during the recession of1991.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?Definitely ‘think before you speak’. It’s landed me in hot water before.

What keeps you busy on the weekend?Apart from a 10 month old baby I am a season ticket holder at Cardiff City and Ienjoy keeping fit – swimming, running and cycling. I used to play a lot of footballbut whilst the mind is still willing, the body isn’t…

What’s the best thing about your job?Working with a team of people who are motivated, intelligent, funny, and whosometimes even listen to what I have to say.

What’s your preferred mode of transport?Cycling, although thanks to the south Wales weather it’s usually a seven year oldToyota Avensis.

What book would you take to a desert island?The Lord of the Rings (the ‘other’ greatest story ever told).

Which three famous people (dead or alive) would you invite to your ultimatedinner party and why?Tony Benn, great orator and political statesmen for his dry wit and insight.Ross Noble, simply because he makes me laugh.Jessica Ennis, to learn what her secret is.

You’re DJ at the ‘end of the world’ party - what track would you play to finish?I would have to play the entire Stone Roses’ first album simply because I couldn’tchoose one track.

Complete these sentences…

I’m good at… looking for positives in a bad situation.I’m bad at… enjoying the status quo.I love it when… City win.I hate it when… external events make hard work redundant.When all is said and done… we get one chance at this so let’s make the most of it.

team profile

20 staffroom

Who are GCS?The University’s Conference Services Team has organised literallythousands of events during its 15 years in operation, from small boardmeetings to residential International conferences for over 850 guests...

The team, based in the Glamorgan ConferenceCentre in Treforest, has over 50 years’combined experience of delivering high-qualityprofessional events for clients at Glamorganand elsewhere. Offering a fully professionalisedevents management service – and being righton your doorstep – they should be the obviouschoice for any staff member looking to organisea seminar, conference or town hall meeting.Staffroom went to meet the team and find outmore about how they work…

What we do

The team manage events within the GlamorganConference Centre, the ATRiuM, classrooms oncampus and even events held offsite in othervenues. Once the students leave campus ourportfolio expands to include studentaccommodation, catering, sports facilities and marquees.

Why use the GlamorganConference Services?

We’ve welcomed almost half a million visitorsthrough our doors since 2000 and sold over71,000 nights’ accommodation. Summer 2013already looks set to be one of our best years,with over 12,000 beds already booked from amixture of repeat and new business. In the lastfinancial year we generated £378,580 ofadditional revenue – money that is re-investeddirectly back into the University. And of course,using the GCC encourages visitors to ourcampuses and raises our profile as a Universityand as a conference destination, bothnationally & internationally.

The Team (l-r) Cara, Stacy, Richard, Catherine, Lisa & Gemma

819 bookings this year

16198 teas & coffees served

1373 lunches

3725 buffets

364 laptops booked

106 flipcharts used

staffroom 21

ProfessorialInauguralLectures 2012/13All lectures start at 6pm and finish around7pm. Refreshments are available from5.30pm and a hot buffet is served followingthe Lecture.

Professor Andrew Thomas (FBS)“The Future of Manufacturing - Supply Chain Strategies for Securing Growth”4th December 2012, Moot Court

Professor Peter McCarthy (HESAS) “It’s Digital So It Must Be More Accurate!”15th January 2013, GT7119

Professor Nigel Copner (AT)“Light Fantastic”12th February 2013, Moot Court

Professor Diana Wallace (FBS)“The Gender of English”12th March 2013, Moot Court

Professor Colin Rogers (HESAS)“From Dixon to Robocop- Personal reflections on the rationalisation of the police service in England and Wales”9th April 2013, GT7119

Professor Paul Roche (HESAS)“The Universe as a classroom – inspiring learners using astronomy and space science”14th May 2013, GT7119

Professor Giuliano Premier (AT)“To Engineer is Humane”11th June 2013, Venue TBC

Meet the teamGemma Savage, Conference Services Manager: Gemma started herGlamorgan career as the centre’s receptionist in 1998, before quicklymoving to Conference Co-ordinator, playing a key role in securing andexecuting some of the larger bookings in the Centre’s history. Gemmawas promoted to Conference Manager in 2007 and following recentdevelopments, Gemma now handles much of the Centre’s businessdevelopment function, in particular sales and marketing.

Catherine Hooper, Senior Conference Co-ordinator: Catherine recentlyjoined the team from Holland House Hotel, bringing with her a wealth ofexperience from the hotel events industry. Catherine’s main priority isthe operational aspects of the Conference Centre, ensuring that allclients and guests received the highest level of customer care fromstart to finish.

Stacy Cutts and Cara Smith, Conference Co-ordinators: Stacy andCara have been with the team for 12 and 8 years respectively. Usingtheir expertise and acute attention to detail, their role is predominantlyto manage booking and venue logistics, whether the event is held in theGCC, ATRiuM, campus classroom or at an external conference venue.Both Stacy and Cara also deal with residential stays, one-stop-shopconferences and event management packages.

Richard Roberts, Operations Co-ordinator and Lisa Stanton,Customer Liaison Assistant: Overseeing the operational aspects ofbookings at the Conference Centre, Richard and Lisa are on hand toensure all your requirements are in place, including room layout,audiovisual equipment, stationery, catering, signage, parking etc.

Look out for news and exciting developments on Glamlife or follow us on Facebook.

22 staffroom

profile

Five minuteswith...

ProfileHometown: Kidwelly, West Wales.Family: Married with 2 children (one of each).Pets: 1 Dog and 2 Cats.Hobbies: Weight training, cycling.Best piece of advice: Keep going, don’t give up on what you believe and want.Preferred mode of transport: Walking.Eat out or take out: Eat out.Tea or coffee: Coffee.

How I got to this point was…A little Nomadic really, and I have certainly not followed a standard academic route. I joined theRoyal Air Force when I left school, where I served for eight years as an aero engine technician.Later, I became a Senior Production Engineer in an Aerospace company before joining an FECollege as an Engineering Lecturer. When I got my Doctorate, I managed to get a research postat Cardiff University in 2002 and then joined UoW Newport (Business School) as Associate Deanin 2008. A brief stint back in my old FE College as Dean of Engineering & Construction andDirector of Quality led me to my current post. I managed to continue to publish and bring insufficient funding for me to be considered for my current post.

The best thing about my job is…Working with a great team of people in the School who are willing to support and get stuck in.

The highlight so far has been…Along with my colleagues, setting up the Centre for Supply Chain, Operations and ProcurementExcellence (C-SCOPE).

The thing that has taught me the most about this industry/profession is…Change is constant. Some change will be good and others bad but you need to go with the flowand not let it get you down. Use it as an opportunity to do something different.

The biggest misconception people have is…From outside the profession; that the job is easy and that you are made for life.

The thing that always surprises people about me is…Don’t know, I’ve never asked!

My advice for other lecturers is…Enjoy yourself in this job. It may be getting tougher but there are many jobs out there that are farworse that this one.

If you are an academic and would like to feature here, e-mail mnormans@glam.ac.uk

Andrew ThomasProfessor in International Logisticsand Supply Chain Management

In this new featurewe catch up withacademics fromacross the Universityto find out whatthey’re working onand what makesthem tick…

Catering and Hospitality

Services

The Hospitality SuiteTo meet the demand for private dining facilities on campus, a newHospitality Suite has been developed.

The venue offers a private dining experience to entertain colleagues and guests in a high quality, intimate space overlunch or dinner. The Hospitality Suite, located at the entrance of Stilts, provides an á la Carte lunch and dinner menu with full waitress service for a maximum of 10 guests.

2 Course Lunch £15.00 • 3 Course Dinner from £25.00

To view the facility, make a reservation, or for further information on our products, services, terms and conditions, please contact Hospitality Requests on: 01443 654046 or e-mail: hospreq@glam.ac.uk.

Packages can be tailored to meet yourrequirements

Who’s been a star this year?Everyone knows somebody who always goes that extra mile. Whether it’s for the team, for colleagues, for students or for customers, they won’t stop until the job is done.

So, what better way to say 'thank you', than to nominate them for a Staff Recognition Award? And say 'thank you' in front of the whole University.

Nominations are now open for the 2012 Staff Recognition Scheme. All colleagues are eligible to nominate and be nominated by their peers, although some exceptionsapply. You can check the eligibility and criteria and download a nomination form by visiting http://hr.glam.ac.uk/srs/.

Judging takes place in December and shortlisted nominees will be invited to a special awards ceremony in January where the winners will be announced.

All nominations should be submitted to mcadwall@glam.ac.uk by 7 December 2012.

CategoriesDistinguished Employee AwardFor outstanding performance, loyalty and commitment to theUniversity beyond the normal requirement of the job.

Customer Service AwardFor someone who has ‘gone that extra mile’ in creating anoutstanding ‘customer’ experience.

Team Achievement AwardFor a team’s outstanding contribution to the University.

Community and Volunteering AwardFor an outstanding contribution within the field of citizenship or community engagement.

Occupation Health and Safety AwardRecognising innovation or positive OHS initiatives fromfaculties/ departments or individuals.