Student wins award for her outstanding contribution to Welsh language
At a special ceremony at the National Eisteddfod in August, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences student Rebecca Martin received this year’s Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Merêd award for her extra-curricular contribution to Welsh life at Swansea University.
Rebecca comes from Narberth, Pembrokeshire and received her secondary education at Ysgol y Preseli, Crymych. Rebecca graduated this summer with a Firts Class honours BA French and Spanish taught through the medium of Welsh and was also awarded the Coleg Cymraeg's Main Scholarship. She is now studying for an MA in Translation and Interpreting in the Department of Modern Languages.
The Gwobr Merêd Award was established in 2015 in memory of Dr Meredydd Evans and acknowledges the contribution of a student who is a current member of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to the Welsh language and culture.
Rebecca was the Welsh Affairs Officer at Swansea University Students' Union as well as being the Swansea Student Forum President and she was extremely active in the role. She was also a student representative on the Coleg Cymraeg Academic Board and contributed to discussions on behalf of her fellow students.
Lois Griffiths, Branch Officer for the Coleg Cymraeg at Swansea University who nominated Rebecca, said: “Throughout her time at Swansea University, Rebecca has made a remarkable contribution to Welsh life. She has supported various initiatives to promote the Welsh language, be that the educational provision within the university or by contributing to outreach work in schools.
She worked extremely hard on behalf of her fellow students and went over and above. She succeeded in achieving the aim of converting the post to a full time post by steering the process of holding a referendum on the question for the whole student body. Following her tireless efforts, a full-time Welsh Language Officer was employed in June 2019. Rebecca leaves a tremendous legacy for the Students' Union, the University and the thousands of Welsh-medium students coming through the doors of Swansea University each year.”
Dr Hefin Jones, Dean of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, added: “Every year I am amazed by the standard of nominations received for the Merêd Award. Across Wales, students go the extra mile to nurture and promote the Welsh language in their universities. We are indeed indebted to them. I congratulate Rebecca for her work at Swansea University, and in particular for her contribution to the Coleg's Academic Board. ”
Rebecca said: “It is a privilege to receive the Merêd Award this year. I am delighted that Welsh students have benefited from my actions. The Welsh community within the university in Swansea has been a key element of my time as a student, so it is a pleasure to be able to give something back to this community. Thank you to everyone! ”
