Fourth round of Gareth Pierce Bursary recipients revealed
Three high-achieving Welsh students have been selected to receive bursaries through the Gareth Pierce Bursary Scheme, supporting their studies in Mathematics through the medium of Welsh.
Tarian Jones and Gruffudd Howell from Cardiff University, alongside Bailey Powell-McCloy from Aberystwyth University, are the latest recipients of the £3,000 bursary, awarded in memory of our former Chief Executive, Gareth Pierce.
Commenting on the students’ achievement, Ian Morgan, WJEC Chief Executive: "The continued growth in popularity of the Gareth Pierce Bursary is a powerful testament to Gareth’s enduring passion for mathematics and for learning through the medium of Welsh.
On behalf of WJEC, I am delighted to congratulate Bailey, Gruffudd and Tarian on being awarded this prestigious bursary. We wish them every success in their studies and hope that the bursary supports them to flourish and reach their full potential in their respective courses."
Launched in 2022, the Gareth Pierce Bursary Scheme aims to encourage and support undergraduate students studying Mathematics through the medium of Welsh. The scheme supports three students annually and is administered with the valued support of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of the Coleg, said:
"On behalf of the Coleg, I would like to congratulate Bailey, Gruffudd and Tarian on winning this year's Gareth Pierce Bursary.
Gareth Pierce was a friend, colleague, and influential figure who made a key contribution to the Coleg and the wider field of education in Wales. It is therefore a privilege to support this bursary in conjunction with WJEC.
We hope the bursary will support the students to thrive on their courses, and we wish them every success in the future."
The Recipients
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Bailey Powell-McCloy from Blaenavon, Torfaen, is a former pupil of Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw. As someone who comes from a non-Welsh speaking family and has learnt the language at school, having the opportunity to continue his Welsh education at university is very important to him. He said: "Mum doesn't speak Welsh, but she wanted me and my brother to go to a Welsh-medium school to get new opportunities. I'm glad that I've been able to continue to use my Welsh at university through my studies, and socially too. Welsh and Maths open so many doors, and the language will certainly be an advantage when I'm applying for jobs in the future." |
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"Through communicating in my mother tongue with my tutors, I have developed a close relationship with them which has been of great benefit as I get used to the work. There is a vibrant community of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Cardiff University, and I'm delighted to be part of that community." |
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"My interest in Mathematics developed at school. I like the certainty that comes with maths, and the way things logically fit together. I would like to share my enthusiasm for mathematics and my mother tongue by being a Mathematics teacher in a Welsh medium school. I am very grateful for the bursary, and I will use the money to take part in the activities of the University's Welsh Language Society, and to invest in Welsh-medium resources that will support my studies." |
Make an application
As part of the scheme, 3 bursaries of £3,000 per year are given to each student studying Mathematics through the medium of Welsh and are also eligible for a means-tested student loan. As the funds they receive are a grant, this is non-repayable, reducing the financial burden on students. The scheme runs annually, and applications can be made from the Spring term.
Further details are available via the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol website.
Further Information / Media Enquiries:
Jonathan Thomas
PR and Brand Manager
jonathan.thomas@wjec.co.uk
029 2026 5102