Today, Wednesday 7 August, at the National Eisteddfod, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol announced the names of the first students to be awarded the bursary in memory of the late Dr Llŷr Roberts, who died suddenly in June 2023 aged 45.
The bursary is for undergraduate students studying through the medium of Welsh to sponsor an educational tour related to their degree. It is being offered for the first time this year by the Coleg in collaboration with Llŷr’s family and Bangor University.
It was announced that six students will benefit from this year's bursary at the Coleg’s annual reception at the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Gwernan Brooks, who is studying Welsh at Cardiff University, will travel to Patagonia to compare Patagonia and Wales from a linguistic and sociolinguistic perspective.
Norway was Megan Broom’s choice. Meganis studying Physical Geography at Aberystwyth University and thethe bursary will contribute to her year in Bergen looking at the physical geography and special landforms of the country.
Shayla Virgo, who is studying Law at the University of South Wales, will travel to America to explore the legal system and improve her understanding of common law principles there.
And three students studying Midwifery at Bangor University, Hana Jones, Mia Owen and Seren Mai, will travel to Sri Lanka to experience working at the hospitals there.
According to Gwernan Brooks, who is already in her third week in Patagonia,
"I would like to say a huge thank you to the Coleg Cymraeg andDr Llŷr Roberts’s family for the bursary, which will be a lot of help to me.
"I've always wanted to visit Patagonia and would love to learnmore about the Welsh community out there."
Megan Broom, who has also currently in Norway, added:
"The bursary will help me get around Norway and I'm looking forward to studying here and seeing the landforms that are unique to Norway.
"Thank you again for the bursary that has helped make this possible."
Dr Llŷr Roberts was one of the first associate lecturers at the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
Dr Dafydd Trystan, Registrar of the Coleg said,
"Llŷr was a very dear friend and colleague. He has made a wide-ranging contribution to Welsh medium higher education in Business at the University of South Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and most recently, at Bangor University.
"He was passionate about the Welsh language, about business studies and marketing, about music and travel.
"His legacy is clear, and it is fitting that we offer this bursary to support the next generation of students with their Welsh medium studies. Congratulations to the six who have been accepted this year."
As well as announcing the winners of the Dr Llŷr Roberts Memorial Bursary, the winners of the Professor Gwyn Thomas Award and the Dr John Davies Award were announced.
The Professor Gwyn Thomas Award was presented to Esyllt Einion, who studies Welsh at Cardiff University, and the Dr John Davies Award was presented to Glain Meleri Hughes who studies History at Aberystwyth University.
Glain said:
"I would like to thank Aberystwyth University, the Coleg Cymraeg and in particular my lecturer Dr Steve Thompson who inspired me to write an essay on life and work in the coalfields.
"The award is recognition of Dr John Davies' contribution to Welsh history and culture and I am honoured to win it this year."
Visit the Awards section on the Coleg’s website to read more about the award categories.
