Gair Rhydd

Say a little prayer

The University has made provision for quiet rooms after years of campaigning from religious students.

Introduced as part of the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy, the rooms have been established to provide space for students and staff to study, pray or reflect.

Taf welcomes return of real ales

The Taf celebrated the return of real ales when they hosted the re-launch event last Tuesday.

Those with a gair rhydd voucher were able to claim a free half pint, while free traditional pub food was provided for drinkers at the bar.

Debt puts research jobs under threat

Researchers at Aberystwyth fear jobs will be lost

Researchers at Aberystwyth University face job cuts as a consequence of the research facility’s £2.4million debts.

The researchers, who are employed a the Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS), one of Aberystwyth University’s affiliated research centres, are being cut to help recover the debt. However, it is hoped that a majority of the 70 cuts will be done through “voluntary redundancies and retirement”.

GUM clinic comes to Park Place

After long-standing discussions over many years, a pilot GUM clinic will be introduced to the Student Health Centre on Park Place.

The clinic will be operated as a satellite of the Newport Road clinic, as part of a partnership between the local health authority, the University Health Centre and the Students’ Union.

Cardiff gets multicultural

A new initiative run by Cardiff University is looking to explore issues of multiculturalism in the UK.

The (Re)-Constructing Multiculturalism Network will bring together both academic staff and postgraduate students from Humanities and Social Sciences analyse issues relating to multiculturalism.

Cleverley does it again

Cardiff Maths undergraduate takes European title

Cardiff University Maths undergraduate and Welsh boxing sensation, Nathan Cleverly, became European light-heavyweight champion on Saturday February 13.

Cleverly, 23, started the fight well by flooring his Italian opponent, Antonio Brancalion, with two big right hooks at the end of the fourth round.

Student assaulted after night out

A Cardiff University student was assaulted whilst walking home from a night out last week.

The female victim was pushed to the ground but her scream managed to panic her attacker, and he quickly fled the scene.

Your chance to grill a candidate

Cardiff students will have the chance to grill candidates in this year’s video hustings for Students’ Union elections.

Anyone with questions for the candidates in general or questions specific to the various roles can email elections@cardiff.ac.uk by Sunday February 28.

Charity chance for journey planners

Students can win £500 for charity and £100 for themselves thanks to new National Rail website bestvaluefares.co.uk.

To be eligible to win, go to the website and plan the longest rail journey in Great Britain for under £100 using only advance and promotional tickets.

Policy Exchange report calls for higher fees

A thinktank study this week has resulted in an urgent call for University tuition fees to be raised by up to 55%.

The study, which was lead by thinktank Policy Exchange, claims that the quality and standard of a university degree will seriously deteriorate unless fees go up.

gair rhydd view: The Importance of Being Earnest

As the most famous of Wilde’s plays, and arguably the most beloved, any production of The Importance of Being Earnest has a whole lot riding on it.

However, Act One’s version certainly did not disappoint. The cast outshone even the beautiful set and costumes, the whole production being more polished than the silver teapot on Algernon’s living room table.

University responds to ENCAP changes

Cardiff University has responded to concerns raised over the reorganisation of the ENCAP administrative office.

The University has defended the decision, promoting the benefits it will provide both for staff and students.

Cardiff hosts charity conference

Last week, over 100 students from across the UK descended on Cardiff University to take part in the Students for Kids International Projects (SKIP) national conference.

The conference brought together students to discuss plans for action against global health inequalities.

Go Global has arrived

This week sees the annual Go Global Festival of Culture and Diversity taking place at Cardiff University.

The festival, now in its third year, consists of a series of events hosted by the Students’ Union, the Cardiff Guild of Societies and the international student community.

You'll never guess what...

Blowing hot and cold

A bar owner in Switzerland has thought of a way around the smoking ban by cutting out holes in the wall.

Cat-in-a-can

Cat turns up at rescue home despite having its head in can

Staff at an animal rescue centre in Fife were amazed when a lost cat found its way there, despite having its head stuck in a food can.

The Scottish SPCA, which runs the unit, said the female must have been scavenging and got her head stuck. Colin Seddon, manager at the centre in Middlebank, Dunfermline, said:

A lucky snap

A Spanish fisherman got more than he bargained for in his nets this week when, among his catch he uncovered a digital camera.

More amazing was the fact that the camera was still in perfect working order and the memory still contained photographs.

XXX Russian billboard

Russian police have arrested a prankster who hacked a giant video billboard to show a pornographic movie.

The two-minute clip was displayed at midnight on a screen above a busy main road, south of the Kremlin. The spectacle brought traffic to a complete standstill as cars slowed down to watch.