A message from the Head of Development and Alumni Relations
"Welcome to Bangoriad Bach.
Whilst our student community and academic colleagues are deep in semester two, we in the Development and Alumni Relations Office are also busy engaging and working with alumni across the globe. Many thanks to everyone who gets in touch to share their stories and life updates – we really do enjoy hearing from you. Thanks too to alumni who volunteer their time to support the University such as Dr Rebecca Heaton (Forestry, 1993) who is leading one of our Distinguished Alumni Lectures next month. Find out more in our Events section below. You can contact us anytime at alumni@bangor.ac.uk
If you have any alumni friends who aren’t in contact with us and would like to receive Bangoriad Bach each month, please share this message and ask them to complete our update form so we can keep in touch with them directly.
Best wishes,
Emma Marshall
Head of Development and Alumni Relations
BANGOR UNIVERSITY NEWS
Menai Bridge Bicentenary History Day Success
A celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of Menai Suspension Bridge being opened took place on Saturday 31 January.
The Menai Suspension Bridge Bicentenary History Day was organised by the University and the Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust, coordinated by Dr Marc Collinson and Dr Lowri Ann Rees from the School of History Law and Social Sciences, and supported by the Bangor Fund and Bangor City Council. The public event, which attracted over 200 attendees, explored the fascinating story of the groundbreaking piece of civil engineering, and featured a series of engaging talks delivered by Bangor University academics and volunteer historians from the Trust, who delved into the origins of the bridge as well as its 200-year evolution up to the present day.
Dr Collinson and Dr Rees explained: “The event was a real privilege to organise, and we are pleased that so many from the community joined us to celebrate this major event. With support from across the university, and the community, alongside support from the Bangor Fund and Bangor City Council, we were able to commemorate a transformative event in local and national history. We would like to thank the wide group of colleagues who presented at, helped us organise, or attended the event.”
Bangor Fund supports the redevelopment of Brambell's wildlife and pond area
The Bangor Fund, administered by the Development and Alumni Relations Office and supported by alumni donations, has recently supported the redevelopment of the Brambell building’s wildlife and pond area, transforming it into a safe, accessible, and ecologically rich space that will offer lasting benefits to student learning and research.
The redeveloped area will serve as a vital resource for undergraduate field trips, providing direct opportunities to observe freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, practice ecological survey techniques, and explore key topics in conservation biology and environmental science.
Front row: Lois Lloyd, Chief Pharmacist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Marian Wyn Jones, Chair of the University Council, Elin Griffiths, student, Cadi Williams, student, Celia Viney, student
Launch of Bangor University Pharmacy Course
Bangor University is celebrating the formal launch of its Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) Programme at the North Wales Medical School.
The Master of Pharmacy Programme is another major milestone for Bangor University’s North Wales Medical School as it expands its healthcare provision. It is part of the University’s mission to train the next generation of physicians, scientists, researchers, and health leaders. The University has enrolled over 30 students in the MPharm’s first cohort and the ambition is to increase the number every year until there is capacity to enrol up to 100 students annually.
Statement from the University regarding the Student Debating and Political Society
You may be aware of a recent social media post issued by the Students’ Union Debating & Political Society. In their post, the Society stated that they had declined a request from representatives of Reform UK to visit the University and hold a Q&A session with students. The Society also described their post as an “official statement”, which is not the case.
The social media post has since gained significant attention online, attracting negative commentary and media interest. It’s important to clarify that the post was issued independently by a student society. Student societies operate through the Students’ Union, and the views they express are their own. They do not represent the University’s position, as was suggested in their post. As a university, we remain, and always have been, politically neutral, supporting freedom of speech and open debate across the political spectrum.
The University is currently in discussion with the Students’ Union regarding the matter. We have also contacted representatives of Reform UK to clarify the University’s position on freedom of speech and open debate.
Alumni return for Brass Band Concert
Bangor University’s Brass Band (BUBB) recently held their 15 year Alumni Concert. The event included a band of over 50 past and present BUBB members coming together for a concert which raised over £700 for the band. Thank you so much to all who played and watched, it was a great event!
See more photos on their Facebook page. (Photo credits: @hachiko.shots)
Roots of Success: The Friends Nourishing Treborth Botanic Garden
Bangor University’s Treborth Botanic Garden is a gem. Spanning 44 acres along the ecologically unique Menai Strait, the garden is a haven of peace as well as a living laboratory featuring ponds, meadows, and a renowned collection of glasshouse plants. However, the thriving state of the garden today is due in no small part to a dedicated group of enthusiasts: The Friends of Treborth Botanic Garden (FTBG).
Bangor University ranks among TIME's top 400 universities globally
Bangor University has been ranked in TIME’s World’s Top 400 Universities 2026. The university reached 360th place globally and was ranked second in Wales and 40th in the UK.
The recognition reflects sustained effort across the University to deliver high-quality education and impactful research, while continuing to strengthen international partnerships and global reputation.
Student Success Freelance Podcast - Can you help?
The Student Success: Careers and Employability Team are currently working on a project focused on raising awareness and understanding of the benefits of freelancing, as well as promoting access to the resources, support, and opportunities available through Bangor University and the Freelancer Club.
As part of this work, they will be hosting a podcast and they are keen to connect with alumni who might be interested in sharing their experiences, research, or insights around freelancing, self-employment, or related themes. If that sounds like you (or someone you know), the team would love to hear from you – please contact them on careers@bangor.ac.uk
National recognition for North Wales Medical School outreach work
An innovative outreach programme led by Bangor University’s North Wales Medical School has received national recognition after winning a Higher Education Liaison Officers Association (HELOA) Award for Best Practice in Widening Participation, Outreach and Access.
Student studies for PhD in Welsh after learning the language for two years
After learning Welsh for only two years, Hammad Rind, a PhD student at Bangor University's School of History, Law and Social Sciences, has won a Scholarship to study a doctorate in Welsh, funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. His research topic is comparing elegy traditions in Welsh, Persian, and Urdu.
The Albert Gubay Business School partners with Snowdon Timber on KTP
The Albert Gubay Business School at Bangor University will begin a two-and-a-half-year collaboration with Snowdon Timber next year, to help the company strengthen its data capabilities. The partnership aims to boost revenues and improve margins for the Bangor-based timber supplier to by using better data, new digital tools, and improved systems across the business.
UPCOMING EVENTS - YOU'RE INVITED
Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series: Dr Rebecca Heaton
"WILL BUSINESS SOLVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS FOR US?"
Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre, Main University Building, Bangor University
The environmental crisis is accelerating - the impacts of climate change and nature degradation are being felt by businesses. But what are they doing about it and can we rely on business to solve the dual climate and nature crisis for us?
In this lecture, Dr Rebecca Heaton will reflect on how sustainability within the business world has evolved, and the role business has played and could play in the future.
Dr Rebecca Heaton is a leading expert in climate change, sustainability, and the role of land use in the transition to a low carbon future. She began her career studying Forestry at Bangor University, which shaped her lifelong commitment to understanding how landscapes, science, and policy intersect. Over the past two decades, she has held senior roles across industry, research, and government advisory bodies, including serving on the UK Committee on Climate Change. Dr Heaton is widely recognised for her ability to bridge scientific insight with practical action, influencing national strategy on NetZero, renewable energy, and sustainable land management.
The event is free, but please register in advance here.
Bridging Wales and London
Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 4:00 - 6:00pm
The Shard, London
You are invited to our Bridging Wales & London event, in partnership with the Foresight Group and Menter Môn at the Shard, London, on 25 February.
The intention of this event is to put Wales on the map as a nation of innovators, to showcase and celebrate the innovation from Wales and to foster new connections.
This flagship event will showcase some of Wales’ most exciting and ambitious founders, highlighting breakthrough ideas and world-class talent emerging from our region.
The session will dive deep into:
- Investment Opportunities: Strategies for raising capital and why Wales is a smart, strategic choice for high-growth returns
- Founder Insights: Real-world experiences on scaling a business from Wales to the world.
- The Food Sector & Supply Chain: A special focus on one of Wales’ most emerging sectors, exploring how innovation and sustainability are rethinking production and global resilience.
Please register here. We hope that you’ll be able to join us at this exciting event.
University Open Days
Whether you are interested in further study or are helping someone in your life explore their options, why not come along to one of our Open Days?
Here are the dates of our 2026 Open Days:
Saturday, 04 July 2026
Sunday, 16 August 2026
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Saturday, 24 October 2026
Saturday, 28 November 2026
You’re welcome to email openday@bangor.ac.uk with any queries.
David Cousins Celebration Concert
Saturday 28 February, 7pm
Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University
Join us for a special concert honouring David Cousins, the visionary singer-songwriter and founding member of Strawbs. Very special guests Blue Weaver (Amen Corner, Strawbs, the Bee Gees), Cathryn Craig (the Righteous Brothers) and Brian Willoughby (Strawbs, Mary Hopkin) will join the Bangor University Symphony Orchestra and the Bangor University Chamber Choir to celebrate David’s timeless songs that helped define British folk-rock.
All proceeds from the concert will support the David Cousins Music Scholarship at Bangor University.
Tickets cost £20 (£10 Students and Under 18s) are available here.
Concert celebrating 200th birthday of Menai Bridge
On Saturday 7th March the University Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will join with Cantorion Menai to perform a concert celebrating the 200th Birthday of the Menai Bridge.
The two groups rehearse on opposing sides of the Menai Strait and are able to join forces thanks to Thomas Telford's impressive feat of engineering.
Programme:
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage - Mendelssohn (Who came to sketch the Bridge in 1829)
Celtic Dances - Mathias (Resident of Menai Bridge)
A Sea Symphony - Vaughan Williams
Tickets available at: https://www.pontio.co.uk/en/events/buso
