A Swansea University lecturer who has provided immeasurable support to his students has been recognised with a prestigious award by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Dr Gethin Thomas, Senior Lecturer in Biosciences at Swansea University, was presented with The Students' Award at the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s tenth-anniversary cerebrations in Carmarthen on 13 July.
The Students’ Award gives Welsh-medium students the opportunity to nominate a lecturer who has made a significant difference to their university life.
According to their nominations, the support Dr Thomas offered to one student during a challenging period was described as ‘immeasurable’, while another student praised Dr Thomas for his excellent Welsh-medium teaching which has enabled them to appear on BBC Radio Cymru and S4C – opportunities they would not have had if they were not studying through the medium of Welsh.
Established in 2011, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol leads on the development of Welsh medium and bilingual education and training in the post-compulsory sector in Wales.
On receiving the award, Dr Thomas said: "It is an honour and a privilege to win the Students’ Award from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, and even more so because it was the students themselves who nominated me. It’s encouraging to know that the students see value in Welsh-medium provision in the field of biosciences and feel that they are getting the support they need to continue their studies bilingually. I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition.”
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg Cymraeg, said: “The winners deserve so much praise and recognition for their brilliant academic work but also for encouraging and supporting their peers and colleagues within universities, colleges and workplaces to take pride in their Welshness and in doing so, raising the profile of the Welsh language within their institution.
“I’m so pleased we were able to hold a face-to-face event this evening to celebrate the commitment of our learners, students and lecturers. They are at the heart of the Coleg’s success over the decade and we really do pride ourselves in their success over the last year.”
Learn more about biosciences at Swansea University.