’I would encourage anyone to become a part of that community,’ Owain Beynon’s advice to those thinking of studying science through the medium of Welsh.
'I would encourage anyone to become a part of that community,' Owain Beynon's advice to those thinking of studying science through the medium of Welsh. A doctoral candidate from Carmarthen will become the first person in Cardiff University's 140-year history to complete a PhD in Chemistry entirely through the medium of Welsh when he graduates today. Owain Beynon, a first-language Welsh speaker and former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthenshire, said it was "a natural choice" to complete his PhD in Welsh. Owain, who made a unique contribution to the field of catalytic chemistry when he defended his thesis as part of his viva earlier this year, believes it is important to show that "Welsh a scientific language." He said: "There seems to be a notion in higher education and in secondary schools that English is the only language of science, as students switch to English if they want to study science at university or are thinking of pursuing it for their career. In his thesis, 'Astudiaeth Gyfrifiadurol o Synthesis a Sefydlogrwydd Defnyddiau Mandyllog Anorganig', Owain used computational science to see how porous materials could be used for green energy processes and sustainable chemistry. Owain's PhD was funded through Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's Ysgoloriaeth Ymchwil scheme, which aims to support PhD students in conducting research and writing a thesis through the medium of Welsh. As part of his study, Owain identified gaps in Welsh scientific terminology.
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