Welsh language provision at Wrexham Glyndwr set to expand with new appointment

A familiar face to staff and students at Wrexham Glyndwr University is set for a brand-new role exploring ways to give students more opportunities to study through the medium of Welsh.

The university is excited to announce a major new partnership with Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, with the appointment of Elen Mai Nefydd as Head of Welsh Medium Academic Development.

As part of a broader range of support, this new full-time post will provide a senior lead on developing and implementing a new strategy for expanding the provision of Welsh medium teaching and learning at WGU.

She said: “I am thrilled to be starting on this new and important role, and look forward to working with colleagues to develop new ideas for how we can increase the opportunities for our students to study through Welsh and indeed recruit more Welsh speaking students.

Elen Mai brings her extensive knowledge, experience and enthusiasm as a senior academic and leader in Welsh academia.

Having been part of the academic staff at WGU for 17 years, leading the theatre degree, Elen Mai has the opportunity to use this experience in connecting with colleagues to ensure that the Welsh language is considered by all staff and prospective students at the university.

“Creating this role is a positive step for the university. It means that it is getting to grips with Welsh language provision and looking to develop options for our students here in Wales.”

Elen Mai praised the university for making positive steps to support the language, with bilingual signage on campus and all communications and marketing materially being produced in both languages.

“The hope is to continue with the same energy within our academic programmes,” she added.

“’I think we are going to see more and more students staying locally and so there is an opportunity to attract students from the region to Glyndwr to study in Welsh.

“There are very positive developments in several programmes. There are a number of brand-new Health courses that are going to be validated for September, for example Speech and Language Therapy.”

Elen Mai also highlighted how the new initiative work also ties in with the Welsh Government’s plan to have one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

She said: “I think it’s important that we as a university give our students the skills to use Welsh language but more importantly to be bilingual in their careers as well.”