Swansea University's Academi Hywel Teifi is calling on students who want to study for a postgraduate research degree through the medium of Welsh to apply for a new scholarship in memory of Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards.
The Hywel Teifi Memorial Scholarship aims to support postgraduate students who want to continue their studies by researching one of Hywel Teifi's main areas of interest, namely:
- The history of Wales and its people
- Welsh literature
- The Welsh language
- Welsh politics
- Welsh media
- Welsh drama
- Religion in Wales
- Welsh cultural studies
The Hywel Teifi Memorial Scholarship was established with the help of a financial contribution from media company Tinopolis Cymru, along with supporters and friends of the Academi. Applications for the scholarship, worth £3,000, are open to individuals who want to undertake Welsh-medium postgraduate research at Swansea University in one of the above areas of study.
Originally, it was intended to reveal the name of the first recipient of the Memorial Scholarship during the National Eisteddfod in Ceredigion, Hywel Teifi Edwards' home county, also marking the centenary of Swansea University, where he was a lecturer for 30 years. But as Covid-19 disrupted the arrangements, the name of the successful candidate will now be revealed at an event during the week of the 2021 National Eisteddfod.
Broadcaster Huw Edwards said: "We as a family are extremely grateful to Academi Hywel Teifi, Tinopolis Cymru and all those who have contributed to the creation of this new scholarship in memory of my father. I am sure that it will help to ensure the continuation of the areas that fired his interest and which he believed to be of paramount importance to us as a nation."
Chair of Tinopolis Cymru, Angharad Mair, said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to support the Hywel Teifi Memorial Scholarship, for a number of reasons. As everyone knows, Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards' contribution to Welsh scholarship and culture was immense, and it is so important to Wales that postgraduate students can be encouraged and supported to follow in his footsteps. In addition, as a resident of Llangennech a stone's throw from the Tinopolis offices in Llanelli, Hywel Teifi was a constant and generous contributor to our programmes, and our gift is a small way to remember it and to say thank you."
Dr Gwenno Ffrancon, Director of Academi Hywel Teifi, said: "The Academi in the name of Hywel Teifi has contributed extensively to Welsh-medium scholarship over the past decade and continually promotes the research and creative talents of our staff and students. We are extremely grateful to Tinopolis and to all supporters of Academi Hywel Teifi for their generosity and support to ensure continuity of the Academy's ability to support work and bright contributions for the future."
To apply for the scholarship, individuals are asked to email an application letter, CV and outline of their research area to the Director of Academi Hywel Teifi, Dr Gwenno Ffrancon, by 30 June 2021. A panel will consider the applications before awarding the scholarship. Details of the scholarship, including the full terms and conditions, are available on the Academi Hywel Teifi website.