A celebration of lifelong learning

Our awards ceremony recognises the achievements of our students and staff.

The awards ceremony is the highlight of the year for the Division of Lifelong Learning at Cardiff University. It is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the commitment, passion and successes of our students and our colleagues.

The evening began with an informal reception giving everyone a chance to catch up, share experiences and enjoy the celebratory atmosphere.

The formal ceremony (not so formal from the laughter, cheering and rapturous applause that could be heard far and wide) then took place.

Our students received their certificates, diplomas and prizes. Every lifelong learner returns to the classroom for a different reason. Every story is unique.

Many of our students continue to undergraduate studies and postgraduate studies and their determination to achieve their ambitions is inspirational.

Our Interim Director, Dr Michelle Deininger, opened proceedings with a speech on the importance of lifelong learning and how opportunities to access higher education can be transformative to individuals, families, local communities and society as a whole.

Venice Cowper, Interim Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion presented the awards and prizes. Venice is a champion of lifelong learning and spoke about the importance of supporting people from all backgrounds to realise their potential in higher education.

Our tutors were also honoured at the event:

• Awarded for exceptional pastoral care and advocating for non-traditional learners.

Dr Catherine Phelps

• Awarded for excellent teaching and dedication to promoting Lifelong Learning across Cardiff University

Dr Juliette Wood

• Awarded for excellent teaching and quality enhancement

Angharad Berrow

• Awarded for exceptional student support provision

Ana Costa

• Awarded for dedication to promoting Lifelong Learning in the community

Dr Rhiannon Maniatt

Our tutors’ professionalism, empathy and expertise enable us to provide a wide range of subjects. They also maintain teaching excellence whilst ensuring all our courses are accessible to all.

Dr Michelle Deininger commented:

“One of the reasons I think Lifelong Learning, in all its various guises, has been a cornerstone of the university for so long is that there is genuinely something for everyone.

"Whether you want to learn conversational Spanish, begin writing a novel, or train to become a nurse, we have a route for you.

Learning opportunities that are genuinely, authentically, lifelong take into account that people have different needs and interests at different points in their lives.

This is why events like the Awards Ceremony are so important – to recognise our students’ fantastic achievements and to shout loudly about their successes, often in difficult circumstances.

Equally, everyone who works at Lifelong Learning does so because they are passionate about adult learning, about the opportunities evening classes and short daytime courses can bring, and the doors that are opened by returning to study.

Our Lifelong Learning Teaching and Student Support Awards give our students, who are not included in wider university awards nomination processes, the chance to highlight the spectacular work that our staff do to promote lifelong learning, both in the classroom and the wider community. I’m so very proud of both our students and our staff.”