Graduate wins prestigious award

Catrin Howells, a Law and Welsh (LLB) graduate, has been selected by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to receive a prestigious new award, The John Davies Prize.

Catrin, from Ponterwyd near Aberystwyth, is the first to receive the Prize. It was created to commemorate the well respected Welsh Historian, the late Dr John Davies, and will be awarded annually for the best undergraduate extended essay written in the medium of Welsh and which focuses on Welsh History.

“Is the creation of a separate Legal Jurisdiction for Wales now inevitable?" is a translation of the title of Catrin's winning essay, which was selected by the award panel which included three historians with a variety of specialisms.

Catrin said: ‘It is a great honour to receive this award, particularly in its first year. Dr John Davies was very prominent in Welsh history and culture and I'm delighted that the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol has recognised his contribution. I consider this to be the pinnacle of my time at Cardiff University and I look forward to receiving the award and to get the opportunity to thank Dr John Davies's family at the National Eisteddfod."

Dr Hefin Jones, Dean of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University's School of Biosciences added: ‘I’d like to warmly congratulate Catrin on her success in being nominated to receive this award which is in memory of one of the most influential Welshmen of the last half century. He was a hero who was very supportive of the Coleg's work. I'd also like to thank Dr John Davies's family for supporting the prize and of course, members of the selection panel for their work"

Responding to the news, Professor Sioned Davies, Head of the School of Welsh, said: “This is brilliant news. Catrin was a very committed and hardworking student and we are very proud of her success. We wish her well for the future and look forward to seeing her collect the award at the Eisteddfod.”

The John Davies Prize will be presented to Catrin Howells at the Coleg Cymraeg Eisteddfod stand on Monday August 1st at 2pm.