The Right Honourable Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister of Wales, today (Friday, 26 February) officially opened Swansea University’s Morgan Advanced Studies Institute (MASI) during a virtual ceremony.
MASI is named after the late Rhodri Morgan, former First Minister of Wales and Swansea University Chancellor whose passion for Wales and its place in the world, continues to be a source of inspiration.
The institute is the first of its kind in Wales and will focus on bringing people together to conduct interdisciplinary research responding to some of the world’s most critical opportunities and challenges, such as how to renew, refresh and revive effectively in a post-pandemic era.
Teams will work to change the world for the better through discovery and innovation of processes, materials, technologies, theories, concepts, policies and practices and will serve people across the globe with leading research and enterprise.
MASI will be a movement with urgent purpose; a community based in Swansea but with inclusive and diverse connections across Wales, the UK and internationally.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Wales has a proud history of leading and supporting cutting-edge research and innovation and has been a globally-engaged nation in this area and I am proud to be able to open the next stage to continue this work.
“This new Advanced Studies Institute, named in honour of my predecessor, former boss and once Chancellor of Swansea University, the late Rhodri Morgan will bring together world leading interdisciplinary researchers to address the urgent challenges of our time, working across the areas of policy, technology, materials, process and theory.”
Professor Matt Jones, founding Director of the Morgan Advanced Studies Institute, said: “At a time when many people have suffered loss, sadness and disconnection through the pandemic, MASI will be a bright beacon of hope with the singular aim of working to make the more sustainable, just, creative, inclusive and joyful. Swansea University has for many years nurtured world-leading interdisciplinary thinking; building confidently on this platform, MASI provides a unique opportunity to work for the benefit of all. Wales has a profound and deep culture and a set of values that will inform our work as we help the nation to increasingly become an exemplary modern country, grounded and proud of its history and heritage”.