Top Cambridge Talent Denied Visa
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Sport p32 Misogyny p16-17 Comment p10 The freshers are annoying Rob Sturgeon on why men Rebecca Usden on why our man at John’s in can and should be allowed to atheists have more to do if they Redboy Reports enter the feminism debate want to dispel creationism FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2010 THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1947 ISSUE NO 724 | VARSITY.CO.UK UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Churchill Fellow Top Cambridge awarded Nobel Prize talent denied visa VARSITY NEWS Professor Robert Edwards, University loses out as Indian materials scientist Emeritus Professor of Human Reproduction at the University of is refused British work permit Cambridge, has been awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in the fi eld of Phys- OMISING INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIST WHO WAS HOPING TO BUILD A RESEARCH CAREER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDG iology or Medicine. Agency rules, migrants who aim to E HAS BEEN Professor Edwards, who is also a OSAMA SIDDIQUI work in the UK must apply through Pensioner Fellow at Churchill Col- A promising international scientist the points-based assessment lege, was given the award “for the who was hoping to build a research system. development of in vitro fertilisation” career at the University has been Dr Jain required 75 points to (or IVF). IVF is a medical treat- prevented from doing so by UK qualify for a visa. His doctorate enti- ment for infertility, which allows the immigrationCOLLE A PR rules. tled him to 45 points. To secure the sperm to fertilise the egg outside Dr Prashant Jain, an Indian remainder, he would have needed the body, resulting in what is known researcher who holds a PhD in to show proof of an annual salary of as a “test-tube baby”. materials sciences, was offered £25,000 – a sum that is considered Professor Edwards began his a fellowship by the Department to be beyond what researchers typi- pioneering research on fertility of Materials and Metallurgy to cally earn at such an early stage in treatments in the 1950s, with the continue his research work at their careers. vision of being able to treat infertil- Cambridge. Dr Jain’s case has alarmed many ity by fertilising the egg outside the However, he was unable to take academics and researchers who body. Following over two decades of up the fellowship because his appli- think that the UK’s competitive- research, the world’s fi rst “test-tube cation for a work permit was turned ness in higher education and science baby” was born in 1978. down by the UK Border Agency. research could be damaged by This led to the establishment Speaking to Varsity, Dr Jain said, restrictive immigration policies, par- in 1980 of Bourn Hall, Cambridge, “I really wanted to work at the Uni- ticularly for highly skilled workers. the world’s fi rst IVF clinic. Profes- versity of Cambridge and was quite This week, eight British Nobel sor Edwards formed the clinic with disappointed when my visa was Prize laureates, including Professor his long-time research partner, Dr denied. Sir John Walker, Fellow of Sidney Patrick Steptoe, a gynaecological “I feel that the issue of visa Sussex College, signed a letter to surgeon. Since the treatment began regulations is a critical one for inter- The Times, warning that Britain’s in 1978, approximately four million national researchers, who, like me, reputation for scientifi c excellence individuals have been born with the are offered a position in a UK insti- would be jeopardized by govern- help of IVF therapy. tution, but depend on a visa to take ment caps on immigration. According to the Nobel Assembly up the position.” Despite the diffi culties that Dr Cambridge welcomes new VC at Karolinska Institutet, the body He added, “I was looking forward Jain faced with his visa, he has not rofessor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz was offi cially inaugurated to the responsible for awarding the Prize to coming to Cambridge to start as entirely ruled out a career in the Poffi ce of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge last Friday in medicine, Professor Edwards’ a postdoctoral fellow, but due to the UK. morning. The ceremony took place at Senate House and was attended by achievements “have made it pos- visa issues was forced into an uncer- “I plan to continue my research Fellows and eminent members of the University. Sir Leszek is the 345th sible to treat infertility, a medical tain position in terms of my future. in the US, considering the diffi cul- Vice-Chancellor of the University. His address focused on the importance condition affl icting a proportion of As I was unable to come to the UK, ties with taking up positions in the of the University’s collegiate success and the need to sustain a faithful humanity including more than ten I have returned to Florida State UK. However, in the future, I would but fl exible education system in the current economic climate. Before per cent of all couples worldwide. University, while I apply for other consider competitive positions in the coming to Cambridge, Sir Leszek was chief executive at the UK Medical “His contributions represent a mile- research positions.” UK if I were able to secure a visa,” Research Council. OLIVIA CRELLIN stone in the development of modern According to current UK Border he said. medicine.” Jesus grad runs Where graduates News Interview: Student FM radio Student receives The Essay p12 in by-election go next Gurbaksh Chahal launched prestigious award Science and George Owers, a postgrad- With graduate scheme appli- He has been described by This weekend brought the Peter Hatfi eld, second year religion: uate student at Jesus, has cations around the corner, Oprah as one of the world’s debut of CamFM. The entirely mathematician at Pembroke been elected to stand as the Varsity spoke to graduates, youngest and wealthiest entre- student-run station is a College, has been awarded an Peter Labour candidate for a Cam- fi nalists, and careers advis- preneurs, and has been named revamped version of CUR1350 Honorary Fellowship from Atkins bridge by-election in the ers about the many exciting as the most eligible bachelor and is intended to attract new the British Science Associa- Coleridge ward. Owers has post-university opportunities in America. Varsity spoke to listeners. Its programmes tion (BSA). The award places stood as a candidate three for Cambridge graduates, and innovator Gurbaksh Chahal will include specialist music, him alongside academic 40 > times previously, without what they need to do to get about taking risks and follow- drama and well-known celeb- giants such as Professor Sir being elected. ❯❯ p3 there. ❯❯ p4 ing your dreams. ❯❯ p6 rity guests. ❯❯ p8 David King. ❯❯ p8 9 771758 444002 8th October 2010 Something to say? 2 EDITORIAL www.varsity.co.uk [email protected] Online this week Established in 1947 REVIEWS Issue No 724 Whether it be theatre, lm, or the Old Examination Hall, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RF latest exhibition, Varsity brings you the Telephone: 01223 337575 Fax: 01223 760949 most up to date reviews, from our most trusted reviewers. Fancy something more culinary. We’ve even got the Sainsbury’s Basics range covered. BLOGS Work already ge ing you down? Ma hew Graduate Employment Topham has joined forces with Varsity in or many students the next few weeks will see a idiomatic platitudes. Regardless of why it should be his new column. Its sole aim? Distracting fl urry of hurried applications for myriad intern- the case, the fact remains that Cambridge students fare you from work. Fships, development programmes and graduate better than most in the job market - we’re in good shape. schemes. The range of schemes available is overwhelming and differentiating between the advertised institutions is owever, our position at the top of the CV pile TWITTER a diffi cult task. Their imperative sloganeering isn’t exactly comes with responsibilities. The nation has Make sure you’re up to date with all helpful;. will you ‘be part of it’ with JP Morgan or ‘be the invested a geat deal in educating us and rightly this week’s trending gossip. e elusive H Cambridge Spy is out there, and if you don’t one to get ahead’ with PWC? expects a return on that investment. In the afore-men- dish the dirt for him, he’ll do the honours. As the big fi rms descend, etching their logos onto our tioned climate, the burden of social responsibility weighs Tweet him @Cambridge_Spy pavements and distributing lollipops on the Sidgwick site particularly heavy. The question we face is how best to dis- it can be easy to forget that, despite what they tell you, it charge this responsibility. A comforting 11% of employed might be possible to fi nd happiness and fulfi lment outside graduates went into the health sector in 2009, making it the magic circle. However, it would be petulant to pre- the single biggest employer of Cambridge students but tend that these fi rms don’t offer attractive packages and then the NHS is the biggest employer in Europe so this exciting opportunities for ambitious, talented students - might be expected. Only six and a half percent went into Inside this week roughly 20% of Cambridge students fi nding employment other public service roles. went into corporate jobs in 2009. The coalition’s big society policies convey the attituide All these opportunities seem to be at odds with fore- that big business will save Britain. It may well be the case COMMENT casts related to the infamous ‘economic climate’ we are that we can serve our country and earn the big bucks simul- Our demand for perpetual economic enduring.