First Welsh Language Academic Interactive Book Launched

The first ever Welsh language interactive academic book to be published on the Apple publishing platform, iBooks Store, is launched today at the National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The interactive book, Dulliau Ymchwil ar gyfer Myfyrwyr Busnes, Rheolwyr ac Entrepreneuriaid, is published by the University of South Wales and is the result of collaboration with the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. It is a media-rich, interactive book which provides a foundation for research, both for academic study and for practical application in a business environment. The book is available free on the iBooks Store as part of the University of South Wales’ commitment to develop open education resources and includes video and audio clips and images that bring key academic concepts and examples to life. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dulliau Ymchwil is the Welsh language version of the first interactive book to be published by the University of South Wales on the iBooks Store, Research Methods for Business Students, Managers and Entrepreneurs. The book is available free in more than 50 countries across the world and is used in many universities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Professor Hefin Rowlands, Research Manager of South Wales Business School said, “This book is a valuable resource for researchers at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The interactive sections are especially valuable in providing useful explanations for what can be difficult concepts to understand.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sue Burnett, Editorial Manager of USW Interactive Books added, “This was the first ever multi-media book on research methods published on the Apple publishing platform and I am delighted that the book is now available in Welsh.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Llŷr Roberts, Head of Canolfan ABC (Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol’s Centre for Business Studies) was the Academic Director of the Welsh version and Barry Richards, from USW’s iTunes U department was the Project Director and designer of the book. Some of the interactive resources are performed by second year drama students from USW, Gethin Brikerton and Kelsey Thompson. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Llŷr Roberts said, “The book will be a very useful resource for us as we develop postgraduate courses and more flexible learning pathways over the next few years and we are looking forward very much to using it with the increasing number of students who study business in Welsh with us.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This innovative resource was welcomed by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. The Registrar, Dafydd Trystan, said “It is vitally important to ensure that appropriate academic e-books are available in Welsh to enrich the student experience on bilingual courses across the country. This book is an excellent example and one that I’m sure will be used, not only in business studies, but across all social sciences.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​