Report of Discussion

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

A Discussion was held in the Senate-House. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Young was presiding, with the Registrary’s deputy, the Senior Pro-Proctor, the Deputy Senior Proctor, and four other persons present.

The following Reports were discussed:

First-stage Report of the Council, dated 27 January 2015, on the construction of a new laboratory for the Schools of the Biological Sciences and Clinical Medicine (Reporter, 6373, 2014–15, p. 346).

No remarks were made on this Report.

Second-stage Report of the Council, dated 27 January 2015, on the project to expand the Addenbrooke’s Clinical Research Centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Reporter, 6373, 2014–15, p. 348).

No remarks were made on this Report.

Report of the Council, dated 3 February 2015, on the reconfiguration and refurbishment of space within the Baker and Inglis buildings to establish a Dyson Centre for Engineering Design in the Department of Engineering (Reporter, 6374, 2014–15, p. 375).

Professor D. Cardwell (Department of Engineering and Fitzwilliam College):

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, I speak as Head of the Department of Engineering.

Engineering is a practical subject, and our students are engaged in a variety of practical projects outside the formal taught curriculum. These projects not only develop their enthusiasm for the subject, but also lead to new developments that both advance the subject and give rise to new spin-out companies to take these ideas outside into the wider world. The proposed Dyson Centre, funded generously by the James Dyson Foundation and HEFCE, will allow us to give these projects a proper home at the centre of the Department.

There is a great deal of excitement in the Engineering Department at this development. I urge support for the Council’s Report recommending the establishment of the Dyson Centre.

Dr S. D. Guest (Department of Engineering and Trinity Hall), read by Professor Cardwell:

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, I speak as Deputy Head of the Department of Engineering with responsibility for undergraduate teaching.

I would like to echo Professor Cardwell’s comments, and would also like to note that the proposed Dyson Centre will have a tremendously beneficial impact on project work that forms an integral and popular part of the Engineering Tripos. Furthermore, the associated refurbishment of the library, and the improved circulation allowed by the new bridge, will transform the spaces that are available to our students for both collaborative and private study. I urge support for the Council’s Report recommending this scheme.

Second-stage Report of the Council, dated 3 February 2015, on the development of the Greenwich House site (Reporter, 6374, 2014–15, p. 377).

No remarks were made on this Report.