Glyndwr University - Newi becomes a university

The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education has become a university, naming itself after Owain Glyndwr, the Welsh hero who defended his homeland against Henry Bolingbroke, the future Henry IV. Michael Scott, the vice-chancellor of Glyndwr University, said: "He was a man who represented and stood up for the four pillars upon which modern civilised society is based: the sovereignty of Parliament, the independence of the judiciary, freedom of speech and the autonomy of the university as a seat of learning. He argued for the establishment of universities in both North and South Wales. His thinking was centuries ahead of its time." The university has almost 8,000 students and offers more than 150 degrees. Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister for Wales, said: "Today is an historic day for North East Wales because it now has the university it deserves."