University status presents a case for city status

31 October 2008

The prestige of having a new university should allow Wrexham to push even more to achieve city status.

Addressing hundreds of graduates at Glyndŵr University’s first awards ceremonies, Chancellor Lord Barry Jones backed the long-standing calls for the town to become a city.

He said: “The largest town in North Wales deserved this University. Professor Scott and all staff at the University have combined wonderfully to achieve this brilliant success.

“And this university status reminds us that Wrexham should have the status of a city. Wrexham has earned that right.

“The university carries the name of one of the most illustrious names in Welsh and European history,” he added.

“This university will give North East Wales confidence and prestige and enhance the town of Wrexham. We as parents, partners and supported families will see here an enhanced 21st century for this town and the wider North East Wales economy.”

More than 1,000 graduates attended awards ceremonies at the University this week, the first since the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education achieved full university status in July.

Graduands were awarded their degrees in a traditional ceremony in the University’s William Aston Hall, before heading to the Edward Llwyd Centre for celebratory drinks with family and friends.

Speaking at the ceremonies, Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Scott congratulated all graduates on their achievements.

“Universities traditionally used their hands to say ‘we are elite, keep away,’ but at Glyndŵr University we say ‘come in’, whoever you are or wherever you come from. That’s what our hands are about – we will help you.

“At the moment we are told we are facing one of the severest crises since the 1930s and as Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University I started to think what’s our role? What can we do as a university when we’ve got a recession. All those years ago, thousands were in despair because they were out of work.
“As a university we must put out a helping hand to people at this terrible time - a helping hand to say ‘we can get over this recession, we can find ways of getting people into jobs.’ This university can find courses that will get people back into work.

“Please take this message away with you. You are now graduates of this university and throughout the rest of your life you will meet people who will need your help and need your support.”

The ceremonies saw honorary fellowships awarded to four public figures in recognition of their outstanding achievements - pioneer of women’s hockey Anne Ellis OBE; footballer Michael Owen; Russian scientist Professor Alexander Chernikov and Director of the Quality Assurance Agency Norman Sharp OBE.

Norman Sharp said: “I feel extremely honoured, highly privileged and extremely humbled. From the heart, it is a wonderful privilege to become one of the first fellows of this new, wonderful university.

“It’s a particular privilege coming from Scotland to enjoy this link with Wales. In all of my work with universities, one of the things that sticks out about the successful university is one that’s a community – and that’s what you have here at Glyndŵr University.”