Welcome
Cardiff University plays an active role in communities across Wales, and worldwide.
Professor Hywel Thomas
Our teaching, public engagement and research activities work to change lives and for social justice. Our research often has a direct bearing on policy and policy change; our students are actively involved in the social justice agenda; we work to make our University as inclusive as possible; and we help businesses to start-up, grow and prosper.
Our contribution covers a wide range of activities, including widening access to higher education and the professions among under-represented groups. Cardiff is an outstanding place to study; providing highly-skilled graduates for a tough employment market.
The University has a unique place in Welsh life and we enjoy connecting and sharing this at the National Eisteddfod. We are very proud to be associated with one of Europe’s largest and oldest cultural festivals.
This year visitors to our Pavilion at the National Eisteddfod can find out more about Cardiff’s role in helping Wales tackle some of its biggest health challenges.
The University is leading the fight against ill-health and disease from training the next generation of health professionals to developing new approaches to tackling cancer and mental illness.
Located next to the Science and Technology Pavilion on the Maes the University’s Pavilion, developed with partners Techniquest, provides a world of discovery featuring stimulating exhibitions and hands-on activities to capture imaginations. The ‘Body lab’ exhibition includes walk-in brains and inflatable skeletons with removable bones, all designed to help learn more about health.
Of course, our work is wider than the important health agenda and impacts on all aspects of Welsh life. From encouraging the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians to informing and influencing Welsh law and policy through our influential Wales Governance - this all forms part of the University’s contribution to Wales.
In the current edition of Engage you can learn more about just some of this work. Read about how Cardiff is supporting Welsh language learning and teaching; giving people the opportunity to view some of Wales' rarest books and manuscripts; and how we’re working with the National Botanic Garden of Wales to build up a DNA profile of the nation’s honey to help identify plants which could fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as the ‘superbug’ MRSA.
It’s impossible to cover all aspects of our work – which is why we’re always keen to engage and open our doors and help communities across Wales get involved.
Examples include our first Public Open Day planned for September 17th, our presence at the annual literary Hay Festival or our Big Ideas events in support of National Science and Engineering Week and Brain Awareness Week - we are continually striving to find new ways to engage the public with our work.
I hope you enjoy reading about just some of the ways we open our doors to people across Wales, broaden horizons, and help stimulate minds and debate.
Professor Hywel Thomas
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Engagement & International