Welsh TikTok sensation Ellis Lloyd Jones, who has amassed over 31 million views on the social media platform, is to appear at this year's Eisteddfod T to talk about Welsh language life at Cardiff University.
Ellis is part of a Cardiff University panel discussion with current and former students, including current Pontypool winger and Wales Sevens player Lloyd Lewis.
Fourth-year medical student Hannah Beetham will provide insights from her course and the flagship Doctoriaid Yfory scheme on a panel chaired by Cardiff University Students' Union incoming Welsh Language Sabbatical Officer Annell Dyfri.
Third-year student Ellis has become a TikTok sensation during lockdown, using the platform to celebrate all things about Wales and to introduce people to the language. On the back of his success, he has featured in a BBC Three series documenting his rise to fame and has helped Welsh Government spread safety messages throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Cardiff University student Lloyd made his way through the Dragons academy before recently signing for Pontypool. Outside of rugby he is creating music, teaching, or more recently turning his hand to TV, where he has appeared in numerous Welsh-language shows on S4C. He currently works with ITV Cymru Wales as one of S4C's journalists in training and is one of the main presenters on social platform Hansh's 'Dim Sbin' content.
Hannah Beetham, who has recently completed a BSc in Population Medicine, took part in the Doctoriaid Yfory/Tomorrow's Doctors scheme before starting her studies. The scheme is designed to help prospective students develop skills relevant to their application through mentorship with Welsh speaking doctors and Welsh speaking medical students. Both her studies and the scheme have given Hannah an enormous amount of experience of the opportunities of working as a doctor in the NHS in Wales.
The Cardiff University event, Bywyd Caerdydd, bywyd Cymraeg, will see the panel discuss how they've gained confidence in using the Welsh language whilst at university and will give attendees a unique insight into how the language can enhance university life and open up a wide range of opportunities for students.
The panel discussion is just one of a number of ways that Cardiff University is supporting the 2021 Eisteddfod T as part of its continued commitment to promoting and celebrating Welsh language and culture.
Cardiff University will be proud sponsors of the Eisteddfod T app this year, as well as the prestigious Prose Composition Ceremony, where a trophy will be awarded to the author of the best creative prose.
Over 60 individuals competed in this prestigious award last year to mark the close of the Eisteddfod T in 2020.
Cardiff University's Dean for the Welsh Language, Dr Huw Williams, said: "I'm really looking forward to our showcase event this year, which is a must, especially for anyone who is considering studying at Cardiff University.
"We have a fantastic group of current and former students who each have their own unique story to tell, especially with respect to their Welsh-language experiences, and I am sure it will be a fascinating discussion, and hopefully an inspiration for others.
"We're proud to be a Welsh university and this event will be one of a number of features released during Eisteddfod week looking at the University's Welsh language life and our offer to students – Cynnig Caerdydd – as the institution as a whole embraces a new, all-encompassing Welsh language strategy."
Siân Eirian, Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod, said: "We are hugely grateful to Cardiff University for their continued support, this enables us to offer children and young people valuable experiences."
The 2021 Urdd National Eisteddfod, taking place between 31 May and 4 June, will once again be hosted as 'Eisteddfod T', giving young people and their families an opportunity to compete and enjoy the Urdd Eisteddfod online, with additional activities taking place on the Cardiff University-sponsored App. It will be broadcast on S4C and BBC Radio Cymru.
Last year, over 6,000 children, young people and their families took part in Eisteddfod T and so far this year the event has received over 12,000 video entries.
