Gareth Pierce bursary
8 February 2023
A mathematics student from Cardiff University is one of three recipients of the inaugural Gareth Pierce bursary scheme.
Alys Ffion Chisholm from Llanberis will receive £3,000 in memory of Gareth Pierce, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and former Chief Executive of WJEC, who died suddenly in July 2021.
Alys said: "It’s an honour to receive this new bursary in the name of Gareth Pierce, an important figure in Welsh-medium education in Wales.
"I'm very grateful to the Coleg Cymraeg and the WJEC for the funding which will be very helpful and facilitate my time at university over the next few years."
Alys has always attended Welsh medium schools but, coming from an English speaking household meant, she would usually complete work bilingually - something that she relished the opportunity of continuing as part of her degree in Mathematics at Cardiff University.
I think it's important that Cardiff offers part of the Mathematics degree in Welsh and I believe that the university should aim to offer part of all their degrees in Welsh. It encourages use of the Welsh language and allows students that attended bilingual schools to work in a more familiar environment.
Alys, who is in the First year of her degree, added: "To someone thinking of studying part of their degree in Welsh, I would say go for it. It opens up many more opportunities for you in university without closing any doors!"
The Gareth Pierce bursary scheme was launched earlier this year by the WJEC in conjunction with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and is offered to three undergraduate students studying at least a third of their Mathematics degree through the medium of Welsh.
Lowri Haf Davies and Taylor-James Daughton from Aberystwyth University were also awarded the bursary.
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg, said: "On behalf of the Coleg, I would like to congratulate all three students on winning the Gareth Pierce bursary. Gareth was an influential figure in education in Wales and made a key contribution to the Coleg, specifically in securing a suitable budget to extend the Coleg’s work into areas of further education and apprenticeships.
"It is a privilege on behalf of the Coleg to support the bursary in his memory and we are very grateful to Gareth's family and also to WJEC for their support. We wish Alys, Lowri and Taylor-James every success in the future. ”
Ian Morgan, Chief Executive of WJEC added: "On behalf of the WJEC I would like to congratulate Alys, Lowri and Taylor-James who are the first recipients of the Gareth Pierce bursary. Gareth was a significant figure within the Welsh education landscape, and this bursary is a testament to his passion for mathematics and learning through the medium of Welsh.
“We wish the students the very best in their studies, and hope the bursary will enable them to flourish in their respective courses."
For more information about Gareth Pierce's bursary, visit the Coleg Cymraeg website.
Find out more about studying through the medium of Welsh at Cardiff University.
