"The Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol has transformed Welsh-medium education in our universities. I am delighted to have been able to contribute to these developments by helping to provide standard Welsh terms at a higher level. I wish the Coleg all the best in continuing to innovate in the field."
Also on the evening, Wyn Thomas, who is originally from Aberystwyth, will be accepted as an Honorary Fellow for his key contribution at Bangor University in developing Welsh-medium provision in Music, and also supporting developments in other areas during his time as Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Wyn, who was also one of the founding members of the Coleg's Board of Directors who contributed greatly to the founding of the Coleg in the early days, said:
"It has been a special privilege to work with staff and members of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Board, and it is very heartening to see their influence on universities and further education institutions in Wales. The day will come when children and young people in our schools will demand an even wider Welsh-medium education, and realise their responsibility to work here in Wales for the benefit of the world and Welsh life. It is a delight to identify with the Coleg’s aims and I thank them for being so generous and considerate."
Linda Wyn, from Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, who is a former principal of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor and Coleg Menai within Grŵp Llandrillo Menai will be the third person to receive a fellowship on the night. As a member of the Coleg’s Board and Vice Chair for several years, her contribution to the Coleg paved the way for extending its responsibilities to further education and apprenticeships. Linda said:
"It is a pleasure to be accepted as an Honorary Fellow of the Coleg. During my time as a Board member and as Vice Chair of the Coleg, I was privileged to be part of the early development of the Coleg and to the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff and members. The achievements of the Coleg since those early days are undoubtedly truly remarkable and it is with great pleasure to see that the excellent progress made to increase Welsh language education in the higher education sector is now being spread to further education and workplace learning."
As part of the evening, there will also be an opportunity to present certificates to PhD students for achieving a doctorate under the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Research Scholarship Scheme.
Among them is Dr Seren Evans, who has achieved a doctorate in Sport Sciences at Bangor University and carried out research on 'Multifactorial attitude towards injuries within rugby Union'.
Seren, originally from Bala, said:
"I've always been very interested in rugby, and 'fixing' people. I played rugby for a while, although I had to quit because I was getting injured more often than not! I enjoyed researching this important topic and discovering new things. I was able to discover that one of the elements that can lead to injuries in players on the field was if they had had concussion in the past, so players need to be better recovered after a head injury. I look forward to continuing the research and implementing my research as a Sports Physiotherapist."
As part of the evening the Coleg will also pay special tribute to the late Dr Llŷr Roberts, one of the Coleg's first associate lecturers who passed away suddenly last year at the age of 45. There will be an opportunity to hear more about a new bursary in his memory to support Welsh students, and more information can be found on the Coleg’s website.
Looking forward to the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Congregation, Coleg Chair Dr Aled Eirug said:
"The three Honorary Fellows have contributed exceptionally to Welsh-medium post-compulsory higher education and have paved the way for the next generation of PhD students who will receive their certificates. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and for the opportunity to thank them for their work, and their dedication to the Coleg over the years."
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, added:
"Congratulations to everyone who will be honoured at this year's Coleg Cymraeg Annual Congregation in Bangor. We look forward to celebrating the achievements and contribution of special individuals to Welsh and bilingual medium higher and further education. But we will also take the opportunity to pay tribute and to remember a very dear friend and colleague, the late Dr Llŷr Roberts, who made a multi-faceted contribution to Welsh-medium higher education and made a great impression on his students and members of the Coleg family."
Here is the full list of PhD students who will receive their certificates this year for achieving a doctorate under the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Research Scholarship Scheme:
- Dr Seren Evans, Sport Sciences, Bangor University
- Dr Ianto Gruffudd, Welsh, Cardiff University
- Dr Cennydd Jones, Agriculture, Aberystwyth University
- Dr Lucy Hale Evans, Environmental Sciences, Bangor University
- Dr Claire Griffith-Mcgeever, Sport Sciences, Bangor University
- Dr Marc Williams, Psychology, Cardiff University
- Dr Sioned Llywelyn, Geography, Aberystwyth University
- Dr Gruffydd Lloyd Jones, Environmental Sciences, Aberystwyth University
