Special prize for a student of the School of Welsh

A School of Welsh student has been awarded a higher education award at a special ceremony.

On Tuesday evening 13 June, at a ceremony held at S4C’s Yr Egin Centre in Carmarthen, Deio Owen won the Merêd Award from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

The Merêd Award is an annual award of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and recognises a student's contribution to the Welsh life and culture within a university more widely.

Deio is in his third year studying Welsh and Politics. As well as studying, he is also the Welsh Language Officer at the university's Students' Union and in a few weeks, he will be starting his new role as the Union's Vice President of Welsh Language, Community and Culture.

Deio said: "It is a privilege to receive this year's Merêd award from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol for my work in Cardiff.

"The College plays an important role in ensuring Welsh language opportunities in education and it is great to see work being done in Cardiff to ensure opportunities for Welsh users here."

Deio was nominated for the award by Dr Angharad Naylor from Ysgol y Gymraeg. Dr Naylor said: "I am extremely proud that Deio has received this year's Merêd Award. His enthusiasm and tireless activity ensures a strong and inclusive voice for the Welsh language here in Cardiff.

"He is fully committed to all aspects of his work and supports his fellow students and staff to take advantage of Welsh medium and bilingual experiences.

He was active this year in raising awareness and training his fellow Sabbatical officers about the Welsh language and leading them on visits to Bangor and Aberystwyth Unions to learn from their experiences of maintaining the role of Welsh Language Officer there.

"He led the activities of Sumae/Shwmae Day and St David's Day and is part of the plans for the National Eisteddfod. He contributed to Urdd Gobaith Cymru's Goodwill Message this year and is working with NUS Wales to lobby the Government to increase student loans.

"He was Chair of the Staff Student Panel, led Cymdeithas Iolo and was a CCC Ambassador and mentor to students during his time at the School of Welsh. He is a tutor on the Welsh for All programme and was one of the first tutors on the Tutors of Tomorrow programme."

Deio was among several awardees on the night. Dr Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said: "Tonight's winners deserve every commendation and recognition for their highest quality work and contribution towards post-compulsory Welsh and bilingual education. Their influence raises the profile of Welsh in their organisations enormously, and we wish them well into the future."