Part-time Degree student Mark scoops second Learner Award

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The Carmarthenshire Learning Festival Group held their annual Learner and Tutor Awards Event last night (Thursday, June 7) at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. The event was an opportunity for learners and tutors to gain recognition for their efforts and demonstrate their commitment to learning.

Mark Hall Mark Hall (pictured), from Llandybie, who is studying part-time for his BA History degree course through Swansea University’s Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) at Llanelli and Neath was the successful recipient of a Learner Award.

This follows Mark’s success in being named Higher Education Learner of the Year at the recent Neath Port Talbot Adult Learner Awards.

Mark first became a student when he started a Welsh language course following his return to Wales in 2005 to care for his mother. The inspiration and support that he received from tutors encouraged him to seize the opportunity to improve his qualifications.

Mark soon enrolled on the part-time Humanities degree delivered by DACE. Alongside undertaking his degree studies, Mark is a carer for his wife and has to co-ordinate care to enable him to attend class. 

Mark was nominated for the Award by DACE History tutor Gwenda Phillips who said: “Since I have known Mark he has been very committed to the course. He travels from Llandybie to Neath and has in the past travelled to other community venues to attend classes.

“Mark has a wife who needs constant care and I know that he is often worried about his wife during class but he never shows it. It must be hard for him to put his mind fully on his work but he always does so with a positive attitude.”

Mark who is entering his final year in September said: “I am determined to gain my honours degree and I would love the opportunity to inspire others as much as my tutors have inspired me.

“After I have completed my degree I am considering further study or possibly working in the education field.”

Congratulating Mark on his achievement Professor Colin Trotman, Head of DACE, said: “This is the second Learner Award that Mark has won in recent weeks and we, at DACE, are very proud of his achievements.

“He is a truly inspirational student who has successfully balanced his carer responsibility and study load. I wish him well with his final year studies.”

For more information on part-time programmes starting in September 2012 in your community please contact DACE on 01792 602211, or visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk/dace/.

This DACE news item has been posted by Bethan Evans, Swansea University Public Relations Office, Tel: 01792 205049, or email b.w.evans@swansea.ac.uk.