University Newsletter
News in Brief
Codes and Puzzles
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A series of amazing science events was staged by the University during this year's National Science Week. From uncovering Second World War codes to constructing Egyptian Pyramids, dozens of University Departments put on events and talks between 16 and 25 March. |
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Alec Broers launched the Science on Saturday programme on 17 March with the help of TV presenter and mathematician Johnny Ball and African dance group Adzido. Visitors filled the New Museums Site and the Downing Site during the day and were also invited to look around three themed zones - Codes and Puzzles, Creature Feature, and Rhythm of Life.
For the first time this year, the Science Week team staged a mid-week debate, chaired by science author Matt Ridley, which produced an evening of lively discussion in the Sidgwick Site's Lady Mitchell Hall. Also new this year, was the Cambridge Science Tour, on the web. This site, which is supported by Vodafone, can be explored at: http://www.cambridgescience.org/
Sarah Shaw, National Science Week Co-ordinator, said: "We had a fantastic turnout during the week, and despite the bad weather, hundreds of families joined us for an exciting day of science detective work during the first Science on Saturday programme on 17 March."
"Each of our lecturers attracted huge audiences, and youngsters really got involved in solving other science puzzles during the week. Thank you to everyone who has worked really hard to make this year's programme such a success."
The University is grateful to all the Cambridge companies who have supported the week. They include: Cambridge University Press, The Technology Partnership, Incyte Genomics, Microsoft Research, Cambridge Research and Innovation Ltd, Vodafone, Cambridge Evening News and Q103.
Photo: Kay Goodridge
Entrepreneurs take off
This year has seen a rapid growth of interest in entrepreneurship within the University of Cambridge. One of the key initiatives undertaken by the University has been the formation of the Cambridge Entrepreneurship Centre (CEC).
The mission of the Centre is to train and develop the people who will make new knowledge-based ventures successful. The Centre has developed and is delivering a wide range of educational programmes for the academic and business community that include: a Summer School for Entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship modules for Cambridge undergraduate and graduate courses, an online programme, and specialist courses for University staff, community enterprises, and scientific researchers.
The Centre also runs a vacation placement programme for students wishing to experience working in an entrepreneurial venture. In the area of research, the Centre's activities are divided into reviewing and disseminating best practice for the support of entrepreneurs, building a virtual library of entrepreneurship-related resources, and monitoring the performance of new ventures in the Cambridge area.
For further information, tel: 01223 (7)66900; E-mail: enquiries@cec.cam.ac.uk, or see the website at http://www.cec.cam.ac.uk/
Target Campaign
Over 150 sixth formers from across the British Isles have been given a taste of University life to find out if studying in Cambridge is for them. They spent three days "shadowing" an undergraduate, living in College and attending lectures, practicals and seminars in their chosen subject. They were also given help and advice on applying to Cambridge and a tour of a number of Colleges.
The shadowing scheme is part of the Target Campaign - a student-run initiative organised by the University's Students Union.
CRASSH
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Sir David Frost at the launch of the new Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the British Academy in London. The centre will be a major research institute comparable to those in Berlin, Jerusalem, Canberra and Stanford, and will support a number of interdisciplinary research projects. Photo: Mike Hall |
Topping out at Cambridge
An impressive new 'welcome' awaits you at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences (CMS) Clarkson Road site. In a special topping out ceremony the benefactor, Dr Dill Faulkes, nailed an evergreen branch to the building and drank a noggin of ale in recognition of the completion of the main structure of the entrance to the site, the Faulkes Gatehouse.
The Gatehouse is associated with the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences and, as well as forming an entrance to the whole CMS site, it also has offices and a seminar room that will be used by researchers and visiting Research Fellows at the Institute. In a second ceremony last month, Professor Roger Needham, Microsoft Research Limited's Managing Director, and Shepherd Managing Director, Vaughan Burnand, tightened the last bolt on the roof structure of the new £10 million Microsoft Research Laboratory in Cambridge.
The new research laboratory, due for completion in the Autumn, will have single offices for the majority of the employees, and large public areas including an enclosed atrium and lecture theatre.
Writing on the Walls
The Cardozo Kindersley Workshop has been commissioned by the University Library to design and carve a series of inscribed slate tablets with quotations relating to the written word from the third century BC to the 20th century.
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Selecting quotations carved in appropriate lettering, with both the content and the form of the slates representative of their age, was the brainchild of Peter Fox, Librarian at the University, and Lida Lopes Cardozo Kindersley, head of the famous lettercarving workshop based in Cambridge. The display will be open to the public during Easter Week (17 - 21 April). Photo: Michael Manni |
All about Cambridge
Cambridge: a user's guide is a new book produced with the support of the University, containing useful information about Cambridge and the surrounding area. It is full of details about living in and around the city, providing the basics and more about housing, shopping, jobs, transport, health, education, fun, families and activities.
The book is available at area bookshops and by mail order through the publisher. For further information contact 01223 462233 or info@wavy-hairedreader.com
YBAA Challenge
Teenagers from across the country met up in Cambridge in March to take up the Young Black and Asian Achievers Challenge. Over 100, 13 to 15-year-olds attended the annual event which is designed to give the school children from ethnic minority backgrounds an insight into undergraduate life.
The school children competed in three challenges to test their skills in journalism, science and general knowledge and were joined by journalist and science writer, Dr Simon Singh, and Cambridge MP, Anne Campbell.
Francesca Kerridge, from the YBBA Committee, said: "We hope that the school children enjoyed a fun-packed day, but more importantly, that they and their teachers took home with them the message that Cambridge is a place where students from all backgrounds can thrive both academically and socially."
SRIF Success
Cambridge is to benefit from a £41 million grant allocation for science and research. The grant is part of £600 million to be spent across the country under the Government's new Science Research Investment Fund, which replaces the Joint Infrastructure Fund and which was set up in partnership with the Wellcome Trust.
The SRIF allocation comes from the DTI Science Budget and the Department for Education and Employment. The funding is distributed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
Sir Brian Fender, Chief Executive of HEFCE, said: "Universities and colleges in this country deliver top-quality scientific research. The system we've developed to allocate this fund allows them freedom to develop their own strategies and minimises the burden we place on them."
Changes at the industry interface
The University has been rethinking its mechanisms for promoting collaborations with external organisations and has formed a new Corporate Liaison Office. The CLO is responsible for the creation and management of broadly-based relationships with those external organisations with which the University desires to work.
Major corporations are looking for strategic alliances with a very small number of globally significant universities, and it is important for the University's future that it is able to talk appropriately to them. Companies tend to be particularly interested in recruiting and retaining Cambridge's best students, in collaborative research and in executive development. There is also interest from around the world in the entrepreneurial success of Cambridge.
With the breadth of interaction with companies in mind, CLO has been working very closely with the other outward-facing Offices of the University: the Research Services Division, the Entrepreneurship Centre, the Development Office, the Careers Service, the Press and Publications Office and CMI.
Academic staff of the University are looking, likewise, for ways to achieve their objectives, and collaboration with leading companies often plays a significant part. CLO exists to promote and nurture these relationships, supporting academics and departments throughout the University in achieving their academic objectives. For more information, see http://www.clo.cam.ac.uk
Exciting Science
More than 30 female scientists from the University volunteered to take part in this year's 'Science Excites Us - Women in Science' project. The scientists visited school outside the immediate Cambridge area to talk about and run activities relating to the science that they enjoy. Schools involved have been as far away as Bedford, March, Newmarket and Bishop's Stortford. More than 50 primary and secondary schools enjoyed visits during the week.
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The children were entertained by subjects ranging from:
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Female scientists from the Vet School, Institute of Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Physics, Medicine, Chemistry, Engineering, Material Sciences, Clinical Biochemistry, and Psychiatry have all been involved in this year's project. The project was funded by the Promoting SET for Women Unit at the DTI.
Photo: Fenland Citizen
Unilever Opening
The Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics was officially launched in March and will provide scientists all over the world with online access to molecular science data. It will also develop information technology tools, such as intelligent browsers and robotic intelligence, to extract new knowledge by putting together data from many different sources.
The world-famous scientist Professor Robert Glen, co-inventor of the anti-migraine drug, Zomig, has been appointed to head the Centre. Professor Glen believes the centre has a major contribution to make to the advancement of knowledge: "In the future, major advancements in science will depend on our ability to handle masses of information. Informatics will enable us to access and work with much more information of much greater complexity than was imaginable even five years ago. Currently more than 90 per cent of scientific findings remain unknown to the majority of scientists. With informatics and the development of intelligent browsers and robotic intelligence we will accelerate knowledge generation, processing and use to an unprecedented level."
Unilever will provide funding of £13 million over a five year period. In addition to funding, Unilever will contribute the time of some of its scientists and, through the steering committee, will work with the University of Cambridge to guide the Centre's work.
Sporting Blues
Chadwick de Vries, an M.Ed student at Trinity Hall, has been awarded a half blue for his contribution to the sport of lacrosse, and his amazing performance at the Varsity match on 3 March, played on Parker's Piece. Chad, who teaches physical education full-time, fell in love with the game when he was recruited by Steve Johnson, captain of the University team. He received his award at a dinner after the match, held in the University Arms hotel.
Internet Conference
A major conference on public policy related to the Internet was hosted by the Computer Laboratory from 4 - 6 April, at Queens' College. The event was slightly unusual in that it included a lot of participation from local artists and from the Arts Council of England, in addition to technologists.
The theme was "Collaboration and Ownership in the Digital Economy". Among the speakers were Bill Cornish, Head of the Intellectual Property Unit, and Marilyn Strathern from Anthropology. International policy makers and opinion formers also gave their thoughts on the subject."
A number of associated performances and arts events took place at venues including Kettle's Yard and the Institute for Visual Culture. More information on the event and the topic is at www.cl.cam.ac.uk/CODE/
African Links
The African Studies Centre has established a partnership with CamFed, a local organisation campaigning for female education in Africa. This month they launch an international lecture and seminar series to explore the links between educational exclusion and poverty.
"This is an important new initiative for the Centre," said Ato Quayson, Director of the Centre. "By working with CamFed we can link academic research to practice; bringing together practitioners, academics, donors and government to discuss the challenges and opportunities of education for African children."
The first lecture will be given by Barbra Chilangwa, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education in Zambia, who is responsible for leading the Zambian Government's efforts to achieve basic education for all children. Her lecture, entitled 'The challenges of educational exclusion: the Zambian experience', will be held on 30 April at Room 3, Mill Lane Lecture Rooms. For further information please contact Dorian Addison on (3)34396 or by email at da211@cam.ac.uk
Fantasy to Federation
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A map of Botany Bay taken from John Hawkesworth's account of the voyages undertaken in the southern hemisphere. 'Fantasy to Federation: European maps of Australia to 1901' is open from 3 April to 15 September (closed 13-16 April, 27 August) at the University Library. Photo: By kind permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library |
Springboard for Undergraduates
Concern about the different Tripos results of men and women in some subject areas, and the successes of the programme for other women in the University, has led to the initiation of a Springboard programme for undergraduate women. Springboard personal development programmes help women world-wide to build their confidence and develop their potential.
The programmes are run by the Springboard consultancy, the largest women's development organisation in Europe, with trainers across Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The programme won the Lady Platt Award for Innovative Equal Opportunities Training in 1989, and has now been given a government National Training Award. The first workbook, for women in work, was published in 1990 and since then more than a 100,000 copies have been sold, including special editions overseas, and Braille and tape issues.
This is the first ever tailor-made programme for undergraduates - hopefully it can be the basis for an on-going scheme, that will enable undergraduates both here and elsewhere to use Springboard in the future. See www.admin.cam.ac.uk/units/springboard/ for more information.
Oxbridge Access Conferences
This year's Oxbridge access conferences have proved so popular that an extra event has been organised to cope with the increase in demand. More than 5,000 A-level students attended the first conference on 16 March at Wembley, and the second at Manchester United on 23 March. The third one will take place on 4 May at Wembley again.
Liz Walker, from Lifetime Careers Ltd, is responsible for organising the Oxbridge conferences and is extremely delighted with this year's response. "Places for the conferences were snapped up almost as fast as tickets for a Manchester United football match," she said. "The demand shows just how well the policy for widening access to these universities is working."
Cambridge's Director of Admissions, Susan Stobbs, is delighted at the overwhelming response. "There are no secret rules about getting into Cambridge and we do not have a hidden agenda. We want to get the message across to as many young people as possible that they can apply to Cambridge," she said. "The access conferences are just one of over 60 initiatives run by the University and Colleges to encourage applications from groups, which are, at present, under-represented at Cambridge."
For the first time at this year's events, students will be able to find out all about studying engineering at Cambridge, through a special 'e-card', which will be distributed at the conferences. The card is the same size as a credit card and can be used in the same way as a CD ROM. It contains the Department of Engineering's prospectus, alongside the University's Undergraduate Prospectus.
Rotary Scholarship
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Kate Willars, a graduate student in the Department of Genetics, has been awarded a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship for the year 2001-02. The Rotarian Foundation Scholarships programme is substantial; some 30,000 Rotary Scholars have been awarded since it first began in 1947, and it is recognised in over 160 countries. The Scholarships are designed to promote international understanding and goodwill, focussing on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy and academic excellence. The Rotary Club of South Cambridge supported Kate to go forward for selection because of her local ties; not only does she hail from Over, but she is also carrying out her research in the University. Kate intends to use her Scholarship to develop the "gene library" of wheat that she has been pursuing for her PhD, and has been selected to join a leading research group in the study of crop genetics in the University of Adelaide. |
Support Campod
A charity which has raised more than £200,000 for the Department of Pathology, is seeking to raise its profile within the University. Campod, set up in 1983, exists to support the research activities of the Pathology Department, which includes research into the nature and cause of diseases of medical and social importance.
Recent breakthroughs in the Department have included the development of a new diagnostic test to screen for cancer of the bladder and cervix; a vaccine for protection against the virus that causes cervical cancer; and the unravelling of the protein responsible for antibiotic resistance.
Alexandra Jarvis, Campod Co-ordinator, said: "This research is expensive and, although the Department receives substantial funding from the research councils, the EU and major charities such as the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research Campaign, special support for specific new initiatives is often needed."
"Campod is a local charity, set up to raise funds, which often means new research programmes can be started, or state-of-the-art equipment can be purchased. Since 1999, Campod funds have purchased more than £200,000 worth of equipment."
More information about Campod, the Department, and how you can help by making a donation or legacy, may be obtained by contacting the Co-ordinator, Alexandra Jarvis, on (3)30291.
Top Marks
The Faculty of Classics received full marks in its recent Subject Review by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), scoring a remarkable 24 marks out of 24. Professor Malcolm Schofield co-ordinated the Faculty's preparation for the review.
"This excellent result was only made possible by the co-operation and dedication of all those teaching classics in Cambridge as well as the efforts of our committed support staff and, of course, the students themselves, whose academic work and involvement in the life of the Faculty clearly much impressed the visiting team of assessors", he said.
In their report to the Vice-Chancellor, the review team were impressed not only with the breadth, depth and coherence of the Faculty's curriculum, but also with the stimulating content of the teaching sessions and the way that supervisions helped to promote understanding and learning. They gave particular emphasis to the importance of the Faculty's democratic culture in fostering shared ownership of its educational strategy. They also praised the comprehensive academic and pastoral care, support and guidance given to Cambridge undergraduates.
Post-Mortem Opening
The official opening of the new Post Mortem facility at the Veterinary School in West Cambridge took place last month.
Professor Leo Jeffcott, Dean of Veterinary School said, "This is probably the finest unit of its kind in any of the UK universities. It will provide the School with the necessary facilities for both teaching and research for many years to come."
In his address as the official opener, Professor Austin Gresham (formerly Professor of Morbid Anatomy & Histology) said that he was most impressed with the design of this state-of-the-art unit for veterinary pathology. He was encouraged how this and other recent developments at the School meant that the threat of closure after the Riley report some 10 years ago could now be forgotten.
The £2.13 million building was funded by the University. Mr Andy Jefferies, University Pathologist, who organised the design of the facility said he was very satisfied with the result and felt it provided a much-needed boost to the teaching of veterinary pathology in Cambridge.
Barton at the ADC
The playwright and theatre director John Barton returned to the ADC Theatre after an absence of 40 years when he staged a production of his highly acclaimed one-man show, Le Morte D'Arthur, last month.
It was as a Cambridge undergraduate that John first encountered Sir Thomas Malory's epic 15th-century tale of King Arthur's court. It was during his time as Dean of King's that John was asked to become Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, which he joined on its foundation in 1959.
The event was organised by the Faculty of English and all proceeds went to their fund-raising campaign. The Faculty of English has made a significant contribution to the world of drama producing directors such as Sir Peter Hall and Trevor Nunn (Royal National Theatre), playwrights such as Sir David Hare, and actors like Emma Thompson and Miriam Margoyles.