Wales’ newest university to take name of Welsh hero

Wales’ newest university is set to be unveiled – and is to be named after the Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr. NEWI has been granted university status by royal assent of the Queen, on the advice of the Privy Council. The formal announcement will be made at a press conference on Friday at the university’s Wrexham campus attended by First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

Glyndŵr University becomes the only university in North East Wales and the tenth university in Wales. The institute, which has nearly 8,000 students, is to be named Glyndŵr University after Wales’ most famous son – the visionary leader, scholar and nation builder Owain Glyndŵr.

Born near Wrexham circa 1355, Glyndŵr fought in the English army as a supporter of the English King, Richard II. When Richard was usurped by Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), Glyndŵr led his forces against the usurper and defended his homeland.

Today the Principal of the new Glyndŵr University, Professor Michael Scott, who will assume the position of Vice Chancellor, said achieving university status would deliver significant benefits not just to the student population but to the whole North Wales economy.

He added that Owain Glyndŵr was a visionary statesman and an iconic figure who was arguably the most important and widely known figure in Welsh history.

Professor Scott said: “We can take great pride in our association with Owain Glyndŵr, I believe for many Welsh people he is the single most important historical and cultural figure.

“He was a man who represented and stood up for the four pillars upon which modern civilised society is based: the sovereignty of Parliament; the independence of the judiciary; freedom of speech and the autonomy of the university as a seat of learning.
 
“He argued for the establishment of universities in both North and South Wales. His thinking was centuries ahead of its time.

“It is fitting, also, that a figure who embodied the spirit of enterprise should be associated with an educational institution where enterprise is at the very core of our activity.”

Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills sent her congratulations to the new University. She said, “The raising of educational attainment and skills levels is critical if North East Wales is to continue to improve its competitive edge as an investment destination. Glyndŵr University’s approach to learning, with its commitment to vocational needs, will play a key role in this drive for inward investment.”

The Chancellor of the new university will be Lord Barry Jones, the former MP for Alyn and Deeside, who is currently the Institution’s President. He added: “Today’s news is recognition of 120 years delivering high standards of higher education in Wrexham, and I am proud to become Chancellor of Glyndŵr University.  Developments such as the £40million investment in campus facilities show the stage is set for the future. “

The Chairman of Glyndŵr University Board of Governors, Mr Brian Howes, expressed his pleasure at the news, announcing that the new university has a mission to help drive forward the economy of the region and the country. He added his congratulations to the staff and the students on the achievement of becoming Glyndŵr University; the newest university in Wales.