̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Regent House

Consultation on White Paper opens

aja43 — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:09:47 +0000

̽��ֱ��White Paper consultation period will run until 20 September 2011.

̽��ֱ��Council, in its Notice concerning Grace 3 of the 15 June 2011, stated that it would ‘wish to ensure that, through a process of effective consultation with the Regent House, it is able to submit a considered response to the proposals in the white paper that takes account of the full range of views of members of the Regent House and which would be published within the ̽��ֱ��’.

Members and staff of the ̽��ֱ�� and Colleges are invited to submit comments, which will inform the Council’s deliberations on these important matters, via the forum at the following link: https://forum.cam.ac.uk/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=5112.

This internal consultation will end on 6 September 2011 and will allow the Council to consider all submissions in formulating a response by the government’s deadline. ̽��ֱ��Council would welcome views as to whether there should be a special discussion of the Regent House that day to conclude the consultation.

Direct responses to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are also encouraged, and can be made at http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/hereform/.

̽��ֱ��Government published its Higher Education White Paper ‘Students at the Heart of the System’ on 28 June 2011 and has invited comments on the proposals.

̽��ֱ��government has published its proposals for the future of higher education

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Yes

Cambridge champions student choice

bjb42 — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

̽��ֱ��ballot of members of the Regent House, the ̽��ֱ��’s governing body, has resulted in a majority in favour of a £9,000 tuition fee.

Cambridge will now submit an access agreement to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) in support of its proposal to charge a £9,000 fee for UK and EU students.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� will offer one of the most extensive and flexible packages of financial support in the UK giving eligible students unprecedented choice in how they use their Cambridge bursary.

Professor Steve Young, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said: “This agreement will include the commitment to spend £9 million a year on financial support for Cambridge undergraduates from 2012, in addition to the Government’s loan and grant schemes.

“Cambridge is committed to providing students with one of the highest levels of financial support during their studies at our world-class ̽��ֱ��.

“We will also commit to spending an extra £1 million to expand our outreach work which aims to help raise the attainment and aspiration of state school pupils. This is in addition to the £2.25 million a year which we already spend on outreach activities.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, said: “ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is committed to recruiting the brightest and best students irrespective of their background. No UK students should be deterred from applying to the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge because of financial considerations and no students should have to leave because of financial difficulties.

“Cambridge has one of the highest retention rates of students of any UK university and its graduates benefit from an extraordinary quality of education and employability.”

̽��ֱ��access agreement includes the Cambridge Bursary, a non-repayable grant, which will be available to students from households with an income below £42,600.

Where a student’s parental annual income is less than £25,000, he or she will receive a full Cambridge Bursary of £3,500 per annum. Awards will be tapered down to earnings of £42,600.

̽��ֱ��Cambridge Bursary can be used at the student’s choice towards either maintenance costs or a fee waiver to reduce the amount of tuition loan.

A mature student who is eligible for a Government means-tested Higher Education Maintenance Grant will be eligible for a Cambridge Bursary of up to £5,650 depending on household income.

£1.5 million will be available for specific categories of students under the Enhanced Support Scheme.

Enhanced support will provide fee waivers of £6,000 to students with low income backgrounds .

̽��ֱ��details of the access agreement will now be developed and submitted to OFFA before the deadline of 19 April.

Cambridge to offer students one of the most flexible and extensive support packages in the UK.

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Yes

£20 million donation to revolutionise physics research

bjb42 — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

His gift, the largest donation to the lab since its creation in 1874, will create a new programme for the physics of sustainability, applying physics to meet the growing demand on our natural resources.

“Cambridge has a slogan: ‘ ̽��ֱ��Freedom to Discover’ and I am hoping I can give the scientists of the Cavendish more freedom to discover,” says David Harding. “I studied theoretical physics at Cambridge, and the Cavendish has always had the reputation of attracting the finest minds in the world. While it is not quite as simple as using physics to save the world, this is an opportunity to use, for example, quantum physics to develop materials with seemingly miraculous properties that could combat the growing effect humans are having on the planet. I want to encourage research to keep the skies blue.”

̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, said: " ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is most grateful to David for this donation, which is truly exceptional both in its generosity and in its vision of translating fundamental discoveries in physics, to meet one of the most pressing needs of our generation."

David’s donation will help the Cavendish Laboratory, the birthplace of molecular biology and nuclear physics, cement its position at the forefront of the next revolution in physics. ̽��ֱ��donation will support programmes that explore basic science that can generate the new technologies and new industries that will be needed to meet the demands of a growing population on our already strained natural resources. (For example, the programme will advance our understanding of how physics can address our increasing energy needs by using renewable power generation.)

̽��ֱ��programme’s director designate is Sir Richard Friend, the Cavendish Professor of Physics and a world-renowned leading expert on the physics, materials science and engineering of semiconductor devices.

Remarking on the impact of the donation, Sir Richard said: “Advances in fundamental physics have always had the capacity to solve very real problems. This programme will support the people with the radical ideas that bring practical solutions – very much the Cambridge way of doing science.”

̽��ֱ��programme will provide studentships, research fellowships, and support for new academic staff as well as investment in research infrastructure of the highest level, pump-priming for novel research projects, support for collaborations within the ̽��ֱ�� and outside, and sponsorship for meetings and outreach activities.

Since graduating from Cambridge in 1982, David Harding has become one of the most successful fund managers in the world. Early on he recognised the advantages of hiring individuals with science backgrounds. Winton currently employs over 90 researchers with PhDs or Master’s Degrees in subjects including extragalactic astrophysics, mathematics, statistics, particle physics, planetary science and artificial intelligence.

“At its core Winton is much more than an investment manager,” says David Harding. “We are a scientific research centre using empirical methods to analyse data. ̽��ֱ��financial markets may be our laboratory but just like the Cavendish we are driven by research.”

Arrangements for handling David’s donation are subject to final approval by the ̽��ֱ��’s governing body, the Regent House. ̽��ֱ��Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability is expected to be launched and fully established during 2011.

David Harding, the founder, chairman and head of research of Winton Capital Management, has pledged to donate £20 million to the Cavendish Laboratory, the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge's Department of Physics, to set up and fund ̽��ֱ��Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability.

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Yes

Spectacular light show set to transform central Cambridge

bjb42 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Exactly a year after the start of its 800th anniversary celebrations, the ̽��ֱ�� is bringing the 12-month programme to a close in the same way it began – by lighting up some of its most famous buildings with a breathtaking light show which members of the public can come and see for free.

For three evenings beginning on Saturday, January 16th, an array of colourful images will bring iconic buildings such as Regent House and King’s College Chapel to life.

While last year’s opening event focused on Cambridge’s history, however, this year’s display draws its inspiration from the life-changing research which is taking place there today. ̽��ֱ��images are all taken from the wide variety of academic work which is currently underway at the ̽��ֱ�� and has the potential to transform the future.

̽��ֱ��light show, entitled “Transforming Tomorrow”, has been designed by the world-renowned light artist Ross Ashton and will start at the ̽��ֱ��’s Senate House and Old Schools. Spectators will then be able to follow a circular route from Senate House Yard, down Senate House Passage and into the grounds of King’s College, where another piece of light art will be projected on to the Gibbs Building as well as Cambridge’s most famous landmark, King’s College Chapel.

Each part of the route has its own theme. ̽��ֱ��first, Blurring ̽��ֱ��Boundaries, is a video installation which examines the interactions between art and science. Nano, which will be projected on to the Chapel, will feature an array of images from the Cambridge Nanoscience Centre. Proteins to Planets, on the Gibbs Building, will illustrate the range of research in the physical sciences taking place at Cambridge, from galaxies and nebulae to fruit flies and plant cells.

Geoff Morris, Head of the ̽��ֱ��’s 800th Anniversary Year, said: “Eight centuries of achievement have left Cambridge with plenty to celebrate, but the best way to bring the anniversary programme to a close is by looking forward to the next 800 years.

“ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge transforms not only the lives of its students and staff, but those of countless others through the world-leading research that takes place within its walls. We look forward to welcoming people to this year’s light show and to giving them the chance to witness a display based on work that is underway today and could soon be transforming tomorrow.”

̽��ֱ��event will run from 6.30pm until 10pm on each of 16, 17 and 18 January and is free and open to the public.

̽��ֱ��light show is generously supported by Barclays.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the streets of Cambridge this weekend for a spectacular light show which shows how research at the ̽��ֱ�� is helping to transform the future.

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Yes

̽��ֱ��new academic year begins on Monday

bjb42 — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

All members of the ̽��ֱ�� are invited to the occasion, which is to be held this year in Great St Mary's, the ̽��ֱ�� Church, as the Senate House is undergoing refurbishment.

̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor will address the ̽��ֱ�� at 9.30am. Her speech is entitled ‘ ̽��ֱ��Distant Fen – Cambridge In ̽��ֱ��World' in which she will focus on the future of the ̽��ֱ�� in a global setting and the inherent challenges and opportunities that presents.

̽��ֱ��address will be followed by a Congregation of the Regent House for the election and admission of the ̽��ֱ�� Proctors for the year.

̽��ֱ�� members should be seated in Great St Mary's by 9.15am and should wear gowns. ̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor invites those attending to the ̽��ֱ�� Combination Room after the proceedings, where refreshments will be available.

̽��ֱ��new Cambridge academic year begins on Monday 1 October with the traditional Congregation of the Regent House and an address by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard.

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Yes

̽��ֱ��start of the Cambridge academic year

bjb42 — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Her speech will be entitled ' ̽��ֱ��well-educated undergraduate'.

Members of the university, wearing academic gowns, and university staff wishing to attend should be in their seats in the Senate House by 9.15am.

̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor will enter the Senate House in procession with the Esquire Bedells and the ̽��ֱ�� Marshall to start speaking at 9.30am.

̽��ֱ��speech will be followed by the Congregation of the Regent House for the election and admission of the Proctors for the new academic year.

̽��ֱ��Proctors are among the most ancient officers of the university. Two are nominated every May by colleges identified in a pre-determined cycle. They are then formally elected at the October Congregation to serve for one year, assisted by their Deputy Proctors and two Pro-Proctors.

In the past the Proctors administered the university's finances, acted as examiners for all candidates for the B.A., prosecuted anyone suspected of unfair trading, and had a multitude of other tasks. They continue to be the formal representatives of the Regent House and in that capacity oversee congregations of the Regents and submit graces relating to degrees at congregations.

̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge will give her annual address to the ̽��ֱ�� in the Senate House on Monday 2 October.

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Yes

£3.8 million gift for Conservation Biology

bjb42 — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s Regent House has approved the establishment of this new professorship, which will be named after the late Dame Miriam Rothschild, a renowned naturalist admired by Lisbet Rausing.

̽��ֱ��new Professorship will be based in the ̽��ֱ��’s Department of Zoology.

Professor Malcolm Burrows, Head of the Department said:

“We are very grateful to the Lisbet Rausing Charitable Fund for this imaginative gift. This new Professorship will allow us to build on Cambridge’s existing strengths in conservation biology and will help ensure that conservation policy and practice is based on rigorous scientific understanding.”

Dame Miriam Rothschild, who died at the age of 96 last year, was a brilliant self-taught amateur and generalist in scientific fields dominated by highly specialised professionals. Known primarily for her writings on butterflies and fleas, Dame Miriam had little formal education but received eight honorary degrees including one from the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge in 1999.

“This is a wonderful honour and we are grateful to Lisbet Rausing and the Fund for recognising my mother’s work and passion for the subject,” said Charlotte Lane, Dame Miriam’s daughter.

Lisbet Rausing is a historian and a research fellow of Imperial College. She was educated at the ̽��ֱ�� of California, Berkeley and Harvard ̽��ֱ��, where she also taught for eight years. Her fellow trustees are Professor Peter Baldwin, Professor of History at the ̽��ֱ�� of California, Los Angeles, and her sister Sigrid Rausing, an anthropologist.

“We are very pleased to be able to establish this professorship in Cambridge,” said a spokesman for the Fund. “ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s excellence in conservation science and the close interactions that are already developing with many international conservation organisations that are located close to Cambridge, will enable real advances to be made in our approach to the challenges of conserving our planet’s rich natural diversity.”

̽��ֱ��Lisbet Rausing Charitable Fund has provided £3.8 million to endow in perpetuity a professorship in Conservation Biology at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge.

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Yes

One in three of all Cambridge UK undergraduates could get bursary

bjb42 — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Previously, Cambridge has maintained a neutral position with respect to the Government’s proposals whilst it considered the impact of higher fees on access. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� Council has now accepted a major bursary proposal, described in a Notice to the Regent House published yesterday.

Under the new plans for bursaries, if higher fees are in place, a Cambridge Bursary will aim to provide even greater levels of support from 2006:

Every student in receipt of the proposed £1,000 maintenance grant from Government, will get a Cambridge bursary of £4,000 per year toward the cost of their undergraduate education.

̽��ֱ��scheme will cost about £7.9 million per year, which will be financed through fee revenues in the first instance in the main, to be replaced over time through a major fundraising drive.

About one in three of UK undergraduates at Cambridge are likely to be eligible for a bursary, with about one in ten getting the equivalent of basic living costs.

̽��ֱ��scheme, designed to avoid poverty traps, will taper up to family income of about £35,000.

Cambridge’s existing bursary scheme offers £1,000 per year to those in receipt of full fee remission. This is already the largest programme of UK undergraduate support, totalling £1.5 million per year. ̽��ֱ��new scheme will provide more generous support, even with higher fees.

Professor Alison Richard said today:

Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Alison Richard announces today (27 November) Cambridge’s new plans for bursaries, with student funding of up to &pound;4,000 per year. Professor Richard will also confirm her support for Government proposals on higher fees.

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Yes