Wrexham Glyndŵr University has announced it will be undertaking some major expansion work!
Firstly, they are developing a Health and Innovation Quarter using existing buildings on the Crispin Lane side of the campus as part of the £70 million Campus 2025 project that will see the student intake rise from 2,000 to 3,000. They will also be refurbishing the former Techniquest building and two science labs. Wrexham had a student population of 6,045, made up of 4,885 undergraduates and 1,160 postgraduates in 2019/2020 (figures taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 1 March 2020).
Secondly, the university will start construction of a new state-of-the-art engineering building at Plas Coch, plus investment at The OpTIC Centre on the St Asaph complex will start in April next year. The projects will reach completion in September 2024.
Finally, a new gateway building will house the main reception, Students’ Union and catering area. Construction will commence in September 2024 and finish in December 2025.
Regent St Campus Refurb
The Regent Street art installation has also seen vast improvements as part of the same project. The foyer is now open to the public and includes a new Starbucks cafe. The iconic front sandstone portico has also had a spruce-up and repair.
Paul Jones, Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Fine Art course, said; “The Dispensary art supplies shop is at the main entrance of the building. We also have Dazzle cinema, which presents artists’ films and a cafe gallery displaying the research and art practice of the staff.
Other alterations include the fitting of attractive cast-iron radiators and the restoration of the lobby floor to its glorious original Terrazzo marble finish. The Guardian ranked WGU Art and Design top in the UK for satisfaction with student feedback.
Hidden Holt
Graphic Design students at WGU have played their part in “Hidden Holt”. A joint project between the university, Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum of Wales), Holt Local History society and Wrexham Museum. The project won a Society for Museum Archaeology Award for the “Exhibition, Display or Interpretation” project category at the end of last year.
The exhibition told how this once lost Roman site was rediscovered in the early 20th century and excavated in the years before the First World War. Many finds from the excavations are on display. Including many we have not seen in North-East Wales for over a century.
Level 4 Graphic Design students Luke Worrall, Migle Valyte and Daniel Birchall helped by designing a presentation for the exhibition and also the illustration for the poster.
WGU Academics in STEM
Ahead of Women and Girls in Science Day (February 11th), three WGU academics shared their experiences and advice for those hoping to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Amy Rattenbury, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science, says a willingness to ask questions and perseverance is key to succeeding.
Paige Tynan, Technical Demonstrator (Science), faced several obstacles to get where she is today. She encourages others not to give up when facing difficulties.
Julie Mayers, Lecturer in Computing, urges other women and girls not to see their gender as a barrier to the career of their dreams. She said; “Have the confidence to prove that gender is not a barrier. We, as women, can be as successful as we want to be.
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