Today, (Wednesday 5 August 2026) at the National Eisteddfod in Garreg Las, the names of the students who have been awarded the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol bursary in memory of late Dr Llŷr Roberts, who died suddenly in June 2023 at the age of 45, were announced.
The bursary supports students studying any subject through the medium of Welsh and is available to fund an overseas trip that complements their academic studies.
Four students will receive the bursary this year, worth £500 each, to support them in travelling to South Africa, Tanzania, Portugal and Nepal.
One of the recipients is Osian Wyn Griffith, who studies Marine Biology and Oceanography at Bangor University. Osian will travel to the Arrábida Natural Park in Portugal to explore the marine life found there.
Osian said: “Thanks to this bursary, I plan to travel to Portugal to dive along the coastline of the Arrábida Natural Park. I hope to see excellent examples of some of the things I’m learning about on my degree course.
“The park contains a range of marine habitats and is one of the richest areas for biodiversity in Europe. It will also be an opportunity to see the success of strategies designed to balance biodiversity protection with sustainable local fishing.”
Bethan Rosser, who is studying Law at Cardiff University, will travel to Arusha in Tanzania to complete a four‑week legal internship.
She said: “I’m looking forward to working in an international law firm with clients from disadvantaged communities in Tanzania. It will broaden my understanding of the legal and social challenges that exist in an international context.”
Elan Haf Henderson is studying Veterinary Science at Aberystwyth University and will travel to Waterberg in South Africa to undertake a wildlife veterinary course.
Elan said: “During the course, I will work alongside wildlife vets in a conservation reserve, taking part in procedures such as chemical immobilisation (darting), monitoring diseases and parasites, and assessing the health of wild animals such as ungulates and other large species.”
Sorcha Dempsey‑Roberts will travel to India and Nepal to support her Medicine degree at Swansea University.
Sorcha said: “This trip will allow me to use the skills and knowledge I’ve gained over recent years studying healthcare, midwifery and medicine. I will join a team delivering clinics in rural areas across the Himalayas.
“My hope is that this experience will help me adapt to rural clinical environments and provide the best care I can for my patients with the equipment and resources available - both on this trip and in rural Wales in the future.”
Dr Llŷr Roberts was one of the first associate lecturers of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg, said: “Llŷr was a very dear colleague, hardworking and talented. He has made a broad contribution to Welsh-medium higher education in Business at the University of South Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and more recently, at Bangor University.
"He was passionate about the Welsh language, about business studies and marketing, about music and about travelling. Being able to combine some of Llyr's interests in this bursary allows us to remember him and specifically his contribution to students across Wales.
“We would like to congratulate the four students who have received the bursary this year and we look forward to hearing about their experiences of travelling."
Recognising Outstanding Students
At the same event, awards were presented to students who had made an outstanding contribution to Welsh-medium and bilingual education in the higher education sector.
List of winners:
Norah Isaac Award – Megan Mair Bill, Cardiff University
Dr John Davies Award – Lili Evans, Cardiff University
Professor Gwyn Thomas Award – Nanw Maelor Hampson, Aberystwyth University
Merêd Award – Emily Evans, Swansea University