Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea University will host an inaugural conference today (September 12) on how Virtual and Augmented Reality can enhance learning and teaching in higher education – the first event of its kind in the UK. [aoa id=”1″] The conference – which takes place at the University’s Bay Campus – will feature insight from Danaë Stanton Fraser, Professor in Human Computer Interaction at the University of Bath and Astrid Ensslin, Professor in Digital Humanities and Game Studies with the University of Alberta. It follows on from the great work that the University has already done to integrate Virtual Reality into teaching, such as…

A Which? customer satisfaction survey has revealed the best mortgage lenders, with building societies coming front of the pack. Principality came top of the survey for providing the best mortgages, with First Direct and Nationwide coming in joint second. As a result, they are now all Which? Recommended Providers. The survey of more than 3500 mortgage customers looked at customer service, the mortgage application process and value for money to determine which mortgage lenders are going above and beyond to deliver a stellar experience for their clients.  Principality achieved an impressive customer score of 80%, with nine in 10 customers…

NatWest Cymru has teamed up with one of the UK’s largest communication service providers to ensure Welsh businesses don’t miss out on the technological revolution. [aoa id=”1″] Wrexham-headquartered Moneypenny UK uses state-of-the-art technology and its 600-strong workforce to support the call requirements of over 225,000 businesses including Google and Amazon. Every year it handles over 15 million calls and online engagements. Alongside NatWest Cymru it is staging five events throughout Wales kicking off in Wrexham today (September 12). Each event will share practical advice on the latest technologies and how you can use them to meet and exceed your business’…

The owners of an award-winning Mid Wales hotel have expressed sadness at having to close the successful business next month. [aoa id=”1″] Nick and Jo Davies have run the Lion Hotel, Llandinam for seven years but will hand back the keys on October 15 to the property owners who opted not to renew their lease. The couple decided not to take up an option to buy the hotel after a structural survey highlighted a need for significant investment. During their time at the Lion Hotel, the couple won two Powys Business Awards and was named Best Hotel Restaurant in Mid…

Award-winning patisserie chef Alys Evans can’t wait to finally make her debut for Culinary Team Wales. [aoa id=”1″] The talented 20-year-old from Gilfach Goch, who now works for Cocorico Patisserie in Cardiff, will be heading to Luxembourg with her Welsh teammates for the Culinary World Cup in November. Her debut has been delayed as a broken leg on a skiing accident in January prevented her from representing Wales at La Parade des Chefs at the International Salon Culinaire in London in March. The accident threatened not just her involvement with the Welsh team, but also her job and prospects of…

A ground-breaking television series introducing mindfulness to primary school children is among the highlights of the kids’ autumn schedule on S4C. [aoa id=”1″] The 26-part animation series Shwshaswyn will welcome children to the serene world of the characters Seren, Fflwff and Capten who will introduce children between three and seven years old to some of the techniques of mindfulness. The series, produced by indie production company Cwmni Da is one of a number of new original children’s programmes in the schedule this autumn. The launch comes at a time when some broadcasters have been criticised by Ofcom for not producing enough original children’s…

Leading cyber crime experts from Cardiff and Shanghai are hosting collaborative meetings to tackle “damaging and prolific” software theft on a global scale. [aoa id=”1″] Specialists at Welsh firm CJCH Consulting are hosting a delegation from Han Yuan & Partners this week, in a bid to boost global standards of investigation into digital and intellectual property theft. The Shanghai delegation arrived in Cardiff on Monday as part of a week-long programme of conferences exploring enhanced business opportunities between Wales and China. As part of the visit, the two firms will discuss their ongoing professional partnership, which has seen them successfully…

While the public’s image of a typical landlord might be a money-grabbing property professional, the reality is different in Wales. [aoa id=”1″] Nearly all (98 percent) of Welsh landlords surveyed own fewer than five properties and more than half (53 percent) only own one, highlighting that very few landlords in Wales rake in profits from owning huge property portfolios, according to the study by online letting agent MakeUrMove. Only 13 percent of landlords in Wales became landlords because they wanted to create a property business. Instead, 53 percent of landlords rent out a property to save for retirement and 16…

A pioneering international collaboration has seen Swansea University team up with an osteopathic college in Italy to offer a new degree. [aoa id=”1″] Beginning in October, the Accademia per lo Sviluppo dell’Osteopatia e della Medicina Integrativa (ASOMI) in Turin will have primarily responsibility for delivering a one-year BSc (Hons) Osteopathy ‘top-up’ programme . Lecturers from the University’s M.Ost Osteopathy programme and the College of Human and Health Sciences student support section will have responsibility for the overall management, teaching input and quality assurance of the course. [/aoa] Bob Davies, Senior Lecturer on the M.Ost Osteopathy programme and Programme Director/Lead for the ASOMI…

475 years of renowned education pedigree and Welsh spirit is now being emulated in Kuala Lumpur. [aoa id=”1″] One of Wales and the UK’s top independent day and boarding schools, Christ College, Brecon, has officially opened its first overseas sister school, as pupils in Malaysia were welcomed to King Henry VIII College for the new school year on Monday, 3rd September. Founded in 1541 by Henry VIII, Christ College is located in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is a school renowned in Wales, the UK and beyond, not only for its academic excellence but also for its unique atmosphere…