Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Smart Commends Professional Practice Course for Professional Growth

Jonathan Smart, Chief Operating Officer for SAIL Databank and Head of Programmes for Swansea University’s Data Science Department, recently celebrated the successful completion of his MA in Professional Practice through distance learning at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). Jonathan credits the course for enhancing his reflection skills and significantly contributing to his professional development.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has accumulated experiential skills from mentors and continuous professional development (CPD) courses. Seeking a postgraduate qualification, he was drawn to the UWTSD Professional Practice course, which allowed him to leverage his existing expertise and reflect on its application throughout his career.

Jonathan expressed, “The course has been excellent in allowing me to understand how theoretical and conceptual models of management transfer into applicable situations in the workplace. The course’s focus on reflective practice has improved my leadership and management approach, providing valuable insights into my decision-making processes and potential alternative approaches for the future.”

Structured as a work-based qualification, the Professional Practice course’s design prioritises flexibility and acknowledges the need to balance learning with work demands. Jonathan highlighted the exceptional flexibility shown by the course leads, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic.

He emphasised, “A significant portion of the modules were completed during the pandemic, a period of intense work pressure for me, but the flexibility shown by the course leads was excellent.” 

Tailored seamlessly to Jonathan’s specialised workplace, the course’s impact on his reflective practices has been profound. In a fast-paced work environment requiring reactive decision-making, the reflective approach learned from the course allows him to critically assess lessons learned and apply them to future decisions.

Lowri Harris, UWTSD’s Professional Practice Programme Manager, expressed pride in Jonathan’s achievements, stating, “Jonathan’s success is a testament to the effectiveness of our Professional Practice course in supporting professionals to enhance their skills and leadership capabilities. We are thrilled to witness the positive impact on his career and overall growth.

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476