e Bridge magazine inside Write for TCS: Squash @ Revs, Tuesday 12th 7-9pm e CambridgeStudent ursday, 7th October 2010 Michaelmas Issue Two Pizza wars: all the fun of the Fair James Burton Associate Editor
is week’s Societies Fair saw the usual range of misdemeanours, some large, some small, despite an encour- aging turnout of almost 14,000 stu- dents, with record attendance levels on Tuesday. Students were badgered by a full twenty employees from three sepa- rate pizza companies. e onslaught began on Tuesday, when Domino’s employees appeared on the street outside the Fair (which, being a pub- lic highway, was not bound by any event rules), and began giving out fl iers to the waiting queues. Shortly a er this, Pizza Hut arrived with vouchers of their own, swi ly fol- lowed by the appearance of a third rival, Perfect Pizza. Pizza distributors out- numbered students by Wednesday a ernoon
As the day wore on, Domino’s em- ployees wearing cut-out pizza box suits emerged to crush the competi- Pizza sellers face each other down outside Kelsey Kerridge Image: Adrienne Li tion. Not to be outdone, Pizza Hut staff soon arrived wearing cut-outs being pulled up by organisers over was prevented from “off ering gummy low the response of other societies permissions’ to generate additional of their own. their distribution of material provid- bear sweets to new members, due to to my request to them, and to either income for themselves,” although Yesterday, the three continued to ed by sponsors, who include, among health and safety reasons and it was off er individually wrapped sweets, or this reporter was unable to fi nd any up their game. Perfect Pizza arrived others, Credit Swisse, RBS, Citibank enforced immediately without prior to off er things that were stand-alone evidence for this in the Societies Fair with food; Domino’s followed suit, and JP Morgan. is was in contra- consultation. Unidentifi able, home- items.” literature on the internet. pulling pizza away from their indoor vention of Fair rules, which state made food of cultural and national Sipos went on to attack the Fair’s Furthermore, if one car were driv- stall to feed the hungry freshers out- that “no third party promotions are societies were perfectly fi ne by the health and safety provisions. “CUSU en out of Kelsey Kerridge car park side. allowed on any stall without explicit same health and safety rules.” made the whole experience a night- every second, 48,600 cars would have As the queues dwindled and the permission.” mare for us and for most Cambridge been driven out of the car park over fair drew to an end, the confl ict es- When contacted by e Cambridge Sipos: CUSU behaved students,” she said. “I wonder how it the course of the Fair. calated, and pizza boxes continued Student (TCS) for her opinion, Presi- is not against health and safety rules In response to this, McGowan to pile up. At the close, students were dent Susan Sipos commented that in a ‘non-Cambridge’ to cram thousands of students in a stated that “as organiser of the fair, considerably outnumbered by tired she “found the behaviour of CUSU room with no air conditioning or the health and safety of all involved distributors of deep-base pepperoni staff off ensive, unnecessarily hostile manner ventilation. is of paramount importance. I can and margherita. and ‘non-Cambridge’ in a number of “Not to mention making students confi rm that there was ventilation in Indoors, an atmosphere of cheer- ways.” McGowan’s response was that un- queue at the very exit of a large park- the main hall, with doors open to al- ful chaos prevailed. No stallholder or Ms Sipos had not elaborated on ex- wrapped sweets increased the risk ing house where cars are driven out low students to step outside and get visiting student was thrown out this actly what she meant by ‘non-Cam- of disease, and that “the rules clearly every second.” fresh air if they felt it necessary.” Over year, although the Women in Bank- bridge’ at the time of going to print. state that all food must be individu- Sipos alleged that “CUSU sells 2,400 bottles of water were also pro- ing Society sailed close to the wind, She went on to say that her Society ally packaged... I invited her to fol- these expensive ‘health and safety vided for Fair-goers.
IN THE NEWS Further hygiene problems Last cooking hobs removed Possible crackdown on punt- New Vice-Chancellor sets Nobel Prize for Churchill around Cambridge at Caius ing on the Cam out vision for university professor
Darwin, Homerton and the Union Undergraduate students at Gonville New and stricter regulations pro- Newly-installed Vice-Chancellor Pensioner Fellow Robert Edwards have scored only ‘fair’ in council hy- and Caius College have had their posed could include ban on letting Sir Leszek Borysiewicz aims for has won a Nobel Prize for Medicine giene inspections, we reveal in a fol- hobs suddenly disconnected before punts to anyone under the age of six- better funding and continued for his career-spanning work devel- low-up to last week’s investigation. Full Term. teen. global excellence. oping IVF. Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 e CambridgeStudent ursday, October 7, 2010 02|News THE CAMBRIDGE STUDENT THIS WEEK THE TEAM Editors in Chief: Jen Mills & Jess Touschek - [email protected]; Design Editor: Alastair Cliff [email protected] ; Magazine Editors: Alice Baghdjian & Julia Rampen - INVESTIGATION [email protected]; Photo Editor: Adrienne Li - [email protected]; News Editor: Andrew Georgiou - [email protected]; Deputy News Editors: Phil Brook, Zoah Hedges-Stocks, Nat Rudara- kanchana & Saranyah Sukumaran; International Editor: Elspeth Carruthers - [email protected]; Deputy International Editor: Jen Leong; Interviews Editors: Jenny Boon & Alex Kung - interviews@tcs. cam.ac.uk; Comment Editors: Liam McNulty & Becky Sage - [email protected]; Theatre Editors: Brendan Gillott & Séan Hewitt [email protected] ; Music Editors: Rhys Cater & Daniel Janes - mu- [email protected]; Film & TV Editor: Rebecca Pearce - [email protected]; Travel Editor: Anna Carden - [email protected]; Sports Editors: Sarah Binning & Nichola Di Luzio - [email protected]; Deputy Sport Editor: Ed Bentsi-Enchill; Chief Sub-Editor: Mostafa Al-Mossallami; Sub-Editors: Catherine Barker, Bryony Clarke, Junko Takata, Nicholas Tufnell & Judith Welikala; Illustrator: Clémentine Beauvais; Board of Directors: James Burton (Chair). Mark Curtis (Business), Joel Winton, Jen Mills, Jess Touschek & Jo Ashbridge [email protected] jhkjhgkj dbking
EDITORIAL ere is a popular misapprehension for their lucrative attention. While activists or sport players, they are ous community, we are nonetheless that as students we are free to lead corporate heavyweights squabbled capable of devoting as much time to, deemed to lack even the competence Cycling is a quintessential lives unencumbered by responsibil- over who could distribute the most and assuming as much responsibility to boil an egg. Caius is not the only part of Cambridge life, but ity. Older generations trudging to the product, their targets preferred to for, the success of their extra-cur- college to adopt such measures, nor is is it safe? p.9 beat of P60 forms and regular office launch themselves into the flourish- ricular commitments as the careers it likely to be the last, but all such deci- hours gripe about young people sup- ing extracurricular scene in their into which they often hope these will sions equate to a damning estimation posedly drinking away their student thousands. Many, of course, sign up develop. What a shame, then, that of students by university authorities. NEWS loans without a thought of what the on the spur of the moment only to certain University institutions are The insurance may be prohibitive, real world entails. drop out even faster. Still more are unable to recognise this fact. but if a university is supposed to be To pigeonhole students like this is simply looking for relief from the de- To paraphrase several responses of a place to learn how to live, as well as reductive and unjustifiable. If there manding academic term. However, Gonville and Caius students to the how to study, then ours is currently was an element of juvenility to the there are a significant number who removal of hobs from their under- failing us. Rightly or wrongly, we live proceedings at this week’s Freshers’ spend their university years proving graduate accommodation, it seems up to the standards we are set. Un- Fair, it issued not from those filing again and again that, be they politi- astonishing that, despite being mem- fortunately, the bar is currently set so past the stalls but from those vying cians, actors, journalists, academics, bers of a such an intellectually rigor- low that we can barely see it. NEWS BULLETIN Local news in brief Ladies Boat Club robbed Churchill in album chart glory Black squirrels dominate Girton e Potato Laptop Fraud Punting controversy The University Women’s Boat Club Winston Churchill, founder of the The dwindling of the red squirrel A couple were defrauded of £650 in continues has had £4,000 worth of equipment eponymous college, has taken the community is often lamented, but Huntingdon High Street on Tues- p.5 stolen over the Long Vacation, the No. 4 spot in the album charts. the village of Girton, near Cam- day. They were approached by a Cambridge News reported last This musical success has come with bridge, is now home to a colony of man in the Cambridgeshire town SPORT night. Reach For e Skies by the Central black squirrels. Dr Alison Thomas, who offered to sell them a laptop. The premises on Logan’s Way Band of the Royal Air Force, re- a biologist at Anglia Ruskin Univer- After paying him, they were sur- were broken into, and a trailer, life- leased to commemorate the 70th sity, has been studying them since prised and devastated to discover jackets, and other vital equipment anniversary of the Battle of Britain. 2003, and believes that they must that the purchased ‘laptop’ had were taken. Although the incident Samples of Churchill’s speeches have been imported from North been switched for a cardboard box was reported to police on Sep- appear on two of the tracks. His America, where the sighting of filled with potatoes. Three oth- tember 28, the investigation is still renowned style of public speak- black squirrels is not an uncommon ers fell victim to a similar bait and ongoing. Police have asked wit- ing is clearly a hit with the public. occurrence. Black squirrels now switch scam in Reading this Sep- nesses to come forward or to call Churchill previously charted in make up three quarters of Girton’s tember, where onions were used Crimestoppers anonymously with 1965 with e Voice Of, and in 1984 squirrel population. They are not a to replace the computers. It is un- any information on 0800 555111. on the Iron Maiden single Aces seperate breed from grey squirrels, known whether the Huntingdon
NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT High. but instead a genetic mutation. incident is related. RECYCLING Recycled paper made up The Cambridge Student is published by Cambridge University Students’ Union. All copyright is the exclusive property of the Cambridge University Students’ Union. The Cambridge Student also publishes the magazine ZINE. Although The Cambridge 80.6% of the raw material for UK newspapers in 2006 Studentis affiliated to the University Students’ Union we are editorially independent and financially self-sufficient. No part of this publication is to be reproduced, stored on a retrieval system or submitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the publisher. Commonwealth Games begin p.28 Picture of the Week: ‘Downing College lawn’ by Adrienne Li MAGAZINE
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Would you like to see your work published? Email any photos to [email protected] Email [email protected] The ursday, October 7, 2010 CambridgeStudent News|03 Hygiene problems at two colleges and the Union Saranyah Sukumaran lar monitoring of the entire kitchen Deputy News Editor premises and operations.” He added: “In some areas, it was Good hygiene standards should be recognised that the rating of satis- taken as a given at Cambridge col- factory was unlikely to be improved leges. However, Darwin and Homer- greatly because we do not have newly ton scored a mere ‘fair’ when it came refurbished, state-of-the-art kitchens to the council’s inspection of their as may be found elsewhere – I only premises. wish Darwin had the money to un- e Cambridge Student (TCS) re- dertake such a project. vealed last week that student hotspots Gardies, Tatties and Fitzbillies failed to meet decent food business levels. “Obviously we were National scheme “Scores on the Doors,” based on council health and disappointed with the safety reports, characterised ‘fair’ as: score we received.” “Some non-compliance with statu- tory obligations and industry codes of recommended practices.” “Nevertheless, within the limita- e results were a combined rating tions of our infrastructure, we are of food hygiene, structural safety and determined to achieve an improved management assessments. score at the next assessment.” Concerns were raised over the just- Michael Sanford, Catering Man- passable 3 stars out of 5 for Darwin ager at Homerton, defended his and Homerton, since most other col- kitchens: “Obviously we were disap- leges had a glowing 5 stars out of 5 pointed with the score we received as e Cambridge Union Image: Katrina Hewitt and were rated as ‘very high’. we had previously scored higher. While others already boast exem- “Although in practice our hygiene Homerton: 3 out of 5 Darwin: 3 out of 5 The Union: 2 out of 5 plary health and safety standards, was good, the lower score was attrib- these two colleges plan to raise their uted to written procedures not being ★★★☆☆ Apr 2009 ★★★☆☆ Jan 2009 ★★☆☆☆ Feb 2010 game from the 3 star minimum ac- to hand. ceptable rating. “Our new head chef resolved the Peter Brindle, Bursar of Darwin matter swiftly and to the satisfaction Cambridge Union too. ever, told TCS: “When this assess- delighted to receive an up-to-date College, told TCS: “Immediately af- of the Environmental Health Officer The debating society scored a dis- ment was made, back in February, qualification highlighting this fact.” ter the first inspection we engaged and we are confident of a higher score appointing 2 stars out of 5 average, the Union was rated as ‘fair’. All three institutions, Darwin, professional food safety and train- at our next inspection.” below the accceptable minimum rat- “Since then we have gone to great Homerton and the Union, are ex- ing personnel, who have carried out The report has raised concerns not ing. lengths to provide first-rate service pecting to receive higher ratings in several major inspections and regu- just with the colleges but with the The Union Press Spokesman, how- to our members and we would be the future.
The CambridgeStudent Thursday, October 7, 2010 04|News Caius undergraduates lose last remaining cooking hobs
Martin McGloin Eve Sargent, second-year natural Dr David Holburn, Senior Tutor News Reporter scientist and Mortimer Road resi- at Gonville and Caius, explained that dent, remarked that her entire house undergraduates do not have hob ac- Gonville and Caius College has dis- had “bought saucepans and other cess for safety reasons. connected the only remaining cook- utensils that can only be used with Dr Holburn also claimed that the ing hobs in its entire undergraduate hobs. Despite this, the college has not GCSU’s online housing guide mis- accommodation without prior warn- offered to reimburse us, explain the led students into thinking that there ing. change, or reduce our rent.” would be cooking hobs in particular As a result, several second-year Samuel Oakley, a second-year PPS properties, additionally stating that students have been left with useless student at Caius, commented: “In re- the College has always had a policy of pots and pans. One student had even cent rankings Cambridge University not providing hobs for undergradu- bought a whole gammon ham joint has been rated the best university in ates. in expectation, only to be later disap- the world. If we aren’t deemed com- According to the official Gonville pointed. petent enough to cook with hobs, and Caius College Handbook, gyp Popular properties on Mortimer what about the rest of the country?” rooms are “provided with microwave Road, Green Street, Harvey Road, oven, kettle, toaster and a grilling and St Paul’s Road were affected by Several students have machine.” This setup is deemed “ad- the change. Until recently these out- equate for preparing simple meals.” lying properties were the only places been left with useless Presently, Caius students are re- where Gonville and Caius under- pots and pans quired to buy 40 hall tickets each graduates could use cooking hobs. term. But a week before full term started, Gonville and Caius Student Union The GCSU will meet college offi- porters reportedly appeared and dis- (GCSU) President Jennifer Buckley is cials to discuss the issue next week. connected the fuse circuits. concerned because neither students Jim Meikle, of Cambridgeshire Fire James Blood, a second-year engi- nor the current GCSU were informed and Rescue Service, said: “Students neer from Gonville and Caius and in advance about the changes. She is in Cambridge are one of our priority resident at 6 Mortimer Road, told e also concerned that the College does risk groups.”
Cambridge Student (TCS): “A lot of not trust its undergraduates enough Last year the local fire service at- Image: Martin McGloin us had already bought pots and pans to let them cook. tended to 113 incidents related to knowing that there was a hob in the She said: “We’re not asking for hobs fire safety in Cambridge student ac- property.” He added: “It’s really unfair in all Caius gyp rooms, since this isn’t commodations. According to the fire that the college didn’t inform us.” suitable for many of the older build- service, 1,500 students were killed or Other Caius students expressed ings. Still, when you have perfectly seriously injured in fires in England similar concerns. Some students working hobs in a large ventilated in the last five years. chose to live on Mortimer Road in kitchen, as for example at Mortimer This week the Service is promoting particular because they knew that Road, we see no reason not to trust fire safety, particularly among new hobs were available there. the students.” students. James Blood (right), now unable to cook his signature Chinese stir-fry. A permanent home for SPECIAL Ukrainian Studies Ayesha Sengupta disciplinary ground, to push the News Reporter boundaries of what we know.” Some of the works considered have LATE NIGHT The Department of Slavonic Studies previously been overlooked or even has established Ukrainian Studies on banned. Writers such as Hryhorii a permanent basis at Cambridge, fol- Kvitka-Osnov’ianenko, Volodymyr DELIVERY lowing a donation from Ukrainian Dibrova and Mykola Khvyl’ovyi are businessman Dmitry Firtash. examined. Leading universities in North However the study is not limited SERVICE America have already developed to literature. Students also look at the comprehensive programmes in this filmmaker Oleksandr Dovzhenko. field, but the United Kingdom has not been as quick on the uptake. Ukrainian is spoken by Although Ukraine is a central 45 million people, yet GET A PIZZA DELIVERED country, not only geographically but also as an amalgam of Eastern studied by only a few and Western cultures, it has largely THROUGH THE NIGHT escaped the attention of scholars in The Ukrainian Studies course also neighbouring European nations. aims to educate the general public, TILL 5AM Those pursuing this subject are and features an ongoing podcast now faced with the challenges and series. Dr Finnin has organised lec- opportunities of exploring literature tures, film festivals and exhibitions. that has not been previously critically With Firtash’s support, the posts analysed, whilst learning a language of Lecturer in Ukrainian Studies and that is spoken by 45 million people, Lector in Ukrainian Language have but studied by relatively few. been made permanent. 27 Hills Road, This means that rather than receiv- Representatives of Cambridge Cambridge ing instruction on how to perceive signed a contract with Firtash on 24 the Ukrainian culture, students must September in Kiev, Ukraine. To order call: (01223) reach beyond what is already known Cambridge Ukrainian Studies will to discover something new. celebrate its consolidation in Cam- Dr Rory Finnin, Lecturer in Ukrai- bridge by holding the Third Annual nian Studies, commented: “This kind Cambridge Festival of Ukrainian 355155 of scholarly exploration is precisely Film in November. The festival will Opening Hours: 11am - 5am, 7 days a week. why we come to a place like Cam- be free and all films will have English bridge, to chart new intellectual and subtitles. The Thursday, October 7, 2010 CambridgeStudent News|05 UK below average in global Stricter punting rules proposed for Cam Ying Khong number of punt operators has dra- ter similar to the Cam should be 17 graduate league table News Reporter matically increased and so too has years. the need for more effective gover- Although the new rules would Sophie Hemery special adviser on education, warned Those under sixteen could be banned nance of the river. only affect commercial punt opera- News Reporter that it would be inadvisable to cut from hiring out commercial punts Dr Philippa Noon, River Manager, tors and not college punting societies investment at this time. Schleicher under new regulations aimed at im- told e Cambridge Student (TCS): or self-hire punts, students welcome e UK has slipped over ten places in stated that: “Fewer people with quali- proving safety on the River Cam. “We have observed a decline in stan- the changes. eight years in a league table measur- fications will mean a less successful The Conservators of the River dards of behaviour by punt opera- One second-year student from ing the proportion of young people economy.” Cam, whose members include rep- tors and their chauffeurs across three Newnham told TCS: “I think for one graduating in industrialised nations., Dr Piatt warned that other nations resentatives of Scudamore’s and the main areas: firstly the overloading that the age limit on hiring punts is a the Organisation for Economic Co- are creating sustainable economic University of Cambridge itself, an- of punts; secondly a failure to dis- very good idea. operation and Development (OECD) growth through prioritising higher nounced their proposals to change play registration numbers and safety “Last May Week, there were a lot reported last month. education. She said: “While our uni- the present code of practice for punt signs; and thirdly a failure to observe of school groups punting on the river In 2000, the UK was placed third versities are bracing themselves for a operators. traffic lanes, increasing collision risk who seemed to have no idea where in the league table with 37% of people period of austerity and uncertainty, Other changes to the existing code and potential for personal injury to they were going, causing a huge graduating, nine percentage points other nations are rightly pumping include imposing a minimum age members of the public.” build-up of traffic by the Mathemati- above the OECD average. By 2008, billions of dollars into their institu- limit of 17 years for skippers, com- She added that the minimum age cal Bridge.” however, the UK had slipped to fif- tions at this key time.” pulsory first aid training for chauf- to hire is in line with Section 26 of Punt operators will be consulted teenth place, behind Slovakia, Portu- Universities Minister David Wil- feurs and safety briefings for punt the MCA/AINA Inland Waters Small for recommendations. The Conser- gal and Poland, as well as tradition- letts insisted that the government has passengers. Passenger Boat Code, according to vators expect a report with these rec- ally high performers such as Finland “taken action to boost student num- The code of practice was last re- which the recommended minimum ommendations at their next meeting (63%) and Iceland (57%). The UK is bers.” However, it seems that the UK’s viewed in 2006, but since then the age of the skipper on stretches of wa- at the Guildhall in January 2011. now three percentage points below efforts are not keeping pace with the current OECD average (38%). those of other countries. A further decline could have even Concerned about equal opportuni- more serious consequences. Dr ties, Andy McGowan, CUSU Access Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Officer, told e Cambridge Student Russell Group of universities, said (TCS) that with funding cuts and a that the UK “could well be relegated lack of places, “it is those from the to a lower division of higher educa- lowest socio-economic backgrounds
tion quality from which we would who miss out.” Image struggle ever to recover.” Cambridge MP Julian Huppert : The report warns that the UK is in told TCS that the UK’s position in Miriam Sherwood danger of losing the advantage of its the graduate league table is “deeply world-class higher education in an worrying” and that cuts “could have intensely competitive economic cli- a serious impact on the UK, not only mate. as a leader in academic excellence but Andreas Schleicher, the OECD’s on the economy as a whole.” The CambridgeStudent ursday, October 7, 2010 06|News Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor’s vision for Cambridge Cheryl Roussel lence has to be measured by interna- University to ride out the financial News Reporter tional not national standards.” crisis and keep up with its Ivy League Challenges are not new for Bo- competitors. Last Friday Cambridge Univer- rysiewicz. Born in Wales to Polish Borysiewicz further told e sity officially installed Professor Sir parents, he did not speak English un- Guardian that he wanted Cambridge Leszek Borysiewicz as the 345th til he was five, but nevertheless went to move “as close as possible to that Vice-Chancellor in a formal admis- on to become Professor of Medicine [Ivy League] system”, prompting sion ceremony at Senate House. at the University of Wales. speculation that tuition fees could Borysiewicz is now the University’s In 2001 his work on a pioneering also rise. top academic and administrative of- cervical cancer vaccine earned him a Ivy League universities like Har- ficer. The Chancellor is the Duke of knighthood. vard and Yale give poorer students Edinburgh, whose role is essentially His latest role renews a link with generous bursaries, but charge up to ceremonial. Cambridge University that had be- around £24,000 a year in tuition fees. Formerly head of the UK Medi- gun in 1988, when he was a lecturer cal Research Council, Borysiewicz in medicine and fellow at Wolfson Cambridge’s “global pre- received his nomination last Decem- College for three years. ber. Although he officially acquired eminence” is challenged The University Council chose him his new role less than a week ago, by Asian universities to take the position over from Pro- Borysiewicz has already aroused na- fessor Dame Alison Richard, who tional interest. A UK government report sched- held the post for seven years. He has made suggestions that uled for release next Monday is ex- Image: University of Cambridge In his inaugural speech, the Vice- Cambridge could move towards a pected to recommend allowing top Chancellor said he was “excited about US-style system. He also believes universities to increase tuition fees the challenges” of his new role. that offering more generous bursa- from around £3,300 to up to £10,000 ries will encourage more applicants a year. Borysiewicz is now from poorer backgrounds. According to the Vice-Chancellor, the top academic and In his inaugural speech, he insisted Cambridge’s “global pre-eminence” that no student should be “deterred is also challenged by better-funded administrative officer from studying at Cambridge because universities in Asia. of financial need.” He is keen to further Cambridge’s He claimed that the greatest cur- Borysiewicz also said the Univer- partnerships with overseas institu- rent challenge is maintaining aca- sity needs to significantly increase its tions. Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor demic “excellence” in a “competitive endowment. Kasim Khorasanee, a fourth-year the Vice-Chancellor will undertake Chancellor is discussing tuition fees. and difficult economic environ- This would ideally be achieved international relations student at will be foisted on him. “Still, hopefully the University’s ment.” through large donations, typically Christ’s, told e Cambridge Student “With the current economic cli- place as the fourth richest in the He added that in general “excel- from alumni. This is needed for the (TCS): “I think most of the changes mate I’m not surprised the Vice- world will help.” Professor wins Nobel Prize for IVF Scottish students may be forced to pay for university Rebecca Usden claimed: “The most important thing One of Professor Edwards’ former News Reporter in life is having a child.” PhD students, Professor Azim Sura- Winston Preece system. This means that those who In the years leading up to this ni, now the Marshall-Walton Profes- News Reporter earn higher salaries pay more. Cambridge University Professor breakthrough, Professor Edwards sor of Physiology and Reproduction Muscatelli’s suggestions have been Robert Edwards, whose work on in pursued his research in the face of at Cambridge, commented: “Robert’s Professor Anton Muscatelli, Princi- met with popular support. Both the vitro fertilisation (IVF) has led to the much adversity. work has been critical for many other pal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Scottish Conservative Party and the births of over four million children, Dr Findlay recounts: “Robert important medical advances, includ- University, has declared that a “para- Scottish Labour Party have attacked has been awarded the Nobel Prize for braved tremendous difficulties in the ing preimplantation genetic diagno- digm shift” is required in Scottish the SNP’s approach to university medicine at the age of 85. early days of the research that led to sis for diseases and for the derivation higher education funding if Scotland funding. Claire Baker, higher educa- Dr Alan Findlay, an old friend and IVF. of the first human pluripont stem is to cope with looming public spend- tion spokeswoman for Scottish La- colleague of Professor Edwards, told cells. These hold great promise for ing cuts. bour, labelled the current approach e Cambridge Student (TCS) that Edwards once said: advances in medicine in the future.” Education is presently under the “unsustainable”. This comes as little the Edwards family are all delighted “The most important The awards ceremony will be held preserve of the Scottish parliament. surprise, with Glasgow University by the news. in Stockholm on 10 December, the Under the current system, students forecasting that it will run out of Currently a Pensioner Fellow at thing in life is having a anniversary of Nobel’s death. It will pay nothing towards their degrees, money by 2013 unless action is taken Churchill College, Professor Edwards child.” be the hundredth time that the Nobel courtesy of the taxpayer. In 2004, the to raise income and make savings. joined the Cambridge University Prize in physiology or medicine has Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition physiology department in 1963 as the “He had to make weekly journeys been awarded since its first presenta- abolished upfront fees. In 2007, the The intiative has been Ford Foundation Research Fellow. from Cambridge to Oldham – in the tion in 1901. Each award comes with Scottish National Party (SNP) mi- described as “fair and In 1968, he became research part- pre-motorway era! – where Patrick prize money of around £1 million as nority, with the support of the Liberal ners with Dr Patrick Steptoe. Togeth- Steptoe, one of the few obstetricians well as a diploma and gold medal. Democrats, took a step further and progressive” er they achieved the first test-tube willing to collaborate with him, was abolished the graduate endowment, human fertilisation. using keyhole surgery to collect eggs which had made it compulsory for The National Union of Students from ovaries. students to pay £2,000 upon gradu- (NUS) in Scotland has also made His work on IVF has “Leaders of the medical and sci- ation. concessions. The Chairman, Liam led to the births of over entific establishments were highly As the UK Government prepares to Burns, describes Muscatelli’s initia- sceptical.” reduce the national deficit, university tive as “fair and progressive”. Burns four million children Despite these difficulties, which principals have warned that bringing has agreed to the new model as long were compounded by financial set- back fees could be the only way to as certain requirements are fulfilled. However, it was not until a decade backs, 1978 saw the first success- keep many establishments afloat. These include the channelling of later that this finally resulted in a suc- ful birth of a test-tube baby, Louise Professor Muscatelli proposes that more revenue towards financial sup- cessful test-tube birth. Brown. once “sizeable” financial benefits port for poorer students. Edwards was always known to be Ms Brown, now 32 and a mother have been earned by graduates, it is Graeme Sneddon, a second year thinking ahead of his time. He rec- herself, said of the award: “It’s fantas- only fair that they should contribute Homerton natural scientist from Image: Hall Bourn ognised the techniques of freezing tic news. Mum and I are so glad that to the cost of their degrees. His plan Glasgow, said: “If the payment means embryos, pre-genetic diagnosis and one of the pioneers of IVF has been only requires graduates to pay back that Scottish universities maintain intra-cytoplasm sperm injection long given the recognition he deserves.” their fees once they are earning sala- their quality of education then I before they became a reality. The value of Professor Edwards’ ries “well above” non-graduates. The would support it, but until further Edwards also had a strong desire work does not end with the millions model, which mirrors the Australian details are laid out it is hard to make to help infertile couples conceive. He of lives he has helped to create. Robert Edwards version, operates on an income tax a judgement.” UGOY_Cam_370x265:Layout 1 14/9/10 15:09 Page 1
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nores the most important el- signs. ement: the rider themselves. Peter Warner, Senior Tutor at Dr Boyle condemned the Homerton College, commented: Cycling in Cambridge is a way behaviour of many in the city: “One of the main dangers comes “We frequently see people from other cyclists. I have been cy- of life. But is it safe? with quite nasty injuries who cling in Cambridge for thirty years are so drunk that they can’t and the three worst accidents I have Philip Brook investigates. walk, let alone ride a bike.” had have been due to reckless behav- Martin Lucas Smith echoed iour by other cyclists. So watch out!” the importance of careful Andrew Jeff eries, Senior Tutor at driving and cycling: “human Girton College said: “We have also error is the cause in the vast had a number of students involved Addenbrooke’s emergency depart- a g e”. minutes, 119 used the road. ese majority of cases. ere is a clear in accidents while cycling involv- ment sees around 1,800 accidents Even Councillor Nim- fi gures amount to over 1,250 cyclists need for better driving standards, ing broken limbs and other injuries, related to cycling every year - the mo-Smith, Deputy Mayor per hour. and increased cycle training, in probably an average of one serious equivalent of fi ve accidents on av- of Cambridge City Coun- With so many cyclists on the road, Cambridge and beyond. incident a year. We have cycle lights erage, every single day of the year. cil, admitted: “I do think the poor state of some cycling infra- We have been pushing for in- available and actively promote their Th at’s as many as all the undergrad- sometimes cyclists may structure is very worrying. creased levels of enforcement against use. e single most important mes- uates at Peterhouse, Magdalene, simply not be reporting As a Cycling Demonstration Town dangerous driving in all its forms sage I would like to get across is to Corpus Christi, Lucy Cavendish, some of the accidents”. for two years now, Cambridge has and for the police to take cycling always use lights at night and good Wolfson, Trinity Hall and Sidney College nurses too were some good cycling infrastructure without lights and pavement cycling batteries.” Sussex combined. concerned by the problem. and with high numbers of cyclists on much more seriously.” He hit out at But whilst good lighting reduces Worryingly, this fi gure, given Diane Lloyd, Nurse at Sel- the roads, awareness amongst mo- the failure of the police to act more the chances of a collision, some ac- to e Cambridge Student (TCS) wyn College said: “On av- cidents are unavoidable. us the by Dr Adrian Boyle, Consultant erage I treat three to four “We frequently see people with quite nasty wearing of a helmet is an essential Emergency Physician at Adden- cycling related injuries agreed upon by every single expert brooke’s Hospital, is far in excess of every week. Injuries vary injuries who are so drunk that they can’t walk, let consulted. the fi gures held by Cambridgeshire and it is not necessarily the “While there is an excellent neuro- council. Yet even the Council sta- most bloodied cyclists who alone ride a bike” - Dr Boyle logical department at Addenbrooke’s tistics make for shocking read- sustain the most serious in- to deal with brain injuries, it may be ing. Th ey show that Cambridge is juries. I’ve known students torists is better than elsewhere. stringently: “there was a grand total too late by the time you reach it. We amongst the riskiest places for cy- get up and walk away a er But there are still signifi cant prob- of 5 fi nes in the last three months - a always warn students to wear hel- cling in the country. being thrown from their lems. Martin Lucas Smith said: “Sad- pathetic level of enforcement”. mets.” said Peter Warner. According to the Council, there bikes only to present at ly, with government funding about to But the police have taken some Only 4% of cyclists wearing a hel- were 49 accidents on Hills Road clinic with musculo-skele- be reduced, the prospects for cycling steps to enforce safe cycling: During met and involved with an accident and 36 on Mill Road last year, pos- tal problems the following are not good. Levels of investment in a crackdown in October 2009, 118 suff ered a serious head injury, ac- ing a major risk for students trav- week. I treat some students cycling in the UK are tiny compared cyclists were fi ned for riding with- cording a study by the British Medi- elling to departments in the south for injuries to the face if, to the likes of the Netherlands, where out lights and over the whole year cal Journal. of the city. Magdalene Street and say, they come off their bike cycling rates are much higher (e.g. almost fi ve hundred were stopped e message to the students of Bridge Street similarly pose a risk and land on their chin only 40%) and the road network works for similar off ences including cycling Cambridge is clear: be careful, be to all those in the hill colleges to the to fi nd teeth start to work much more effi ciently as a result.” on pavements and ignoring one way vigilant and wear a helmet. north, seeing over 20 accidents this loose a few days later.” Moreover the focus for development year alone. Clearly, despite recently is on neighbouring villages and not Worse still, thousands of acci- coming second in a na- around the centre of the city, leaving dents, both minor and major, go tionwide evaluation of cit- students at risk. under offi cial radar every year. ies for ‘cycle-friendliness’, For example, Cambridge Coun- Martin Lucas Smith of the Cam- cyclists are at risk. Recent cil is the 65th worst of 212 councils bridge Cycling Campaign told Council bicycle counts from across the country for repair- TCS: “Th ere is signifi cant under- outside term time counted ing pot holes, and several streets in reporting of incidents and colli- over 20,000 cyclists every Cambridge, most noticeably Bridge sions on the roads. We have heard day and when the student Street, are very dangerous for cy-
I many times from our members and population is included in clists as a result. Councillor Nimmo mage: other bicycle users around the city the fi gures this total rises Smith responded; “ ere had been
that reporting cases of things like even further. quite a lot of investment in various Philip Talmage dangerous bus driving has been In a November survey improvement schemes through the diffi cult. Th e police have some- on Downing Street be- Cycle Cambridge project but there times refused to take reports or to tween 9 and 9.30am, the are places on the existing network investigate reported cases properly, Council counted 475 cy- that need attention.” even when there is CCTV cover- clists, and in the peak fi ve But to blame infrastructure ig- Bridge Street: one of the most dangerous roads for cycling in Cambridge
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Ben Strak one can visit the tomb of the Ayatol- TCS Reporter lah Khomeini, far more popular, as I discovered, are the tombs of the great Browsing through recent news Persian poets: Ferdowsi, Sa’adi and headlines that deal with Iran doesn’t Hafez, in Shiraz. At dusk they throng make it sound like a very promising with Iranian tourists who have come travelling destination. Titles like ‘Iran to pay their respects to their cultural set to execute 18-year old on false heroes. charges’ and ‘Iranian leader bans mention of opposition in press’ don’t “The current political endear it to the visitor, and indeed have not endeared it to the interna- situation, volatile as it tional community. is, feels like a minor blip It was with some anxiety that I stepped off the plane in Tehran this next to a culture that has August to spend two weeks there. remained unchanged” What I found in the course of my trip was perhaps unsurprising. Yet just as I expect none of us would like the ac- Iran makes headlines on a regular tions of a select few corrupt members basis. Ahmedinejad’s controversial of the government to define our na- speech at the UN General Assembly tion, so it is with Iran. - where he offered several alternative
The Iranian people, curious, gener- theories about 9/11, including the Image: ous, and unendingly hospitable are, possibility of US involvement - is a as they themselves state proudly, an recent example. The current political Stothard Rob entirely separate species to the vola- situation, volatile as it is, feels like a tile government that is familiar to the minor blip next to a culture that has western media. remained unchanged, barring MSN As a visitor it was surprising the and mobile phones. An Iranian man prays in Imam Mosque, Esfahan, Iran. amount of political dissent that was Uzbekistan, compared to Iran, is a concerns about human rights and bekistan and the West have improved order to have access to Uzbekistan’s voiced in conversation about Ah- complete media unknown. Its neigh- democracy. in recent years. This is in part due to oil and gas reserves; once again, the madinejad, the disastrous elections bour Kazakhstan has earned dubious The country, in fact celebrating its its strategic importance; bordering country’s geography is a factor, as it last year, and even the notoriously international recognition due to the 19th birthday whilst I was there, was Afghanistan, a friendly Uzbekistan controls the Central Asian Pipeline powerful mullahs that compose the antics of Sacha Baron-Cohen’s ‘Borat’, invented by the Soviets from a hotch- is seen as an ally in the NATO war that transports gas across the region. religious centre of power in the coun- but Uzbekistan remains a big con- potch of competing tribes and khan- against the Taliban, and the Uzbek A sensationalist fixation on Iran try. crete post-Soviet blank. ates. The people have little history of President Islam Karimov is seen as a and its government is not only in- The rich tradition of Persian culture With better international relations, any kind of central government, and restraining influence on radical Isla- complete and untrue. It risks neglect- which stretches back several thou- a more developed tourist industry, remain poorly educated next to their mism in Central Asia. ing the political situations of other sands years draws far more loyalty and freer alcohol licensing laws, it Iranian neighbours. Another important factor is natu- countries in the region - who, Borat from the everyday Iranian than the seems like a more open and toler- Despite issues with its human ral resources. Western countries are cliches aside, are no less politically current oppressive theocracy. Whilst ant place, even though many raise rights record, relations between Uz- keen to maintain good relations in important. Cuba: Rum and Revolution Cuba offers tourists valuable insight into a communist country, writes Michael Alhadeff
last fifty years, is now more relevant (MDG) report card by the Overseas tips. The overall economic situation than ever. Some argue that Cuba is Development Institute. is best summed up by Cuba’s two an iconic state refusing to give into Detractors argue the romanticism separate currencies. With one for lo- Western imperialism. Certainly, so- of Cuba hides the harsh realities; cals and another for tourists, the gov- cialist ideology and Caribbean flair the bloody nature of the revolution ernment has maximised its ability to create a heady mix that many tour- and the lack of political freedoms gain foreign currency which has be- ists find hard to resist. This is clearly that comes with heavy state control. come vital for its budget. seen in Havana, where one can often Despite success in health and educa- It is also in the economy where one find dance groups and old men play- tion, the economy has periodically can see the first signs of a policy shift. ing chess down the Paseo di Marti. struggled, partly under the weight It was announced last month that Perhaps the greatest symbol of Cuba’s of the continued US trade embargo. the government wants to lose half a unchanging nature is the big old Health and education have been million of its workforce and is plan- American Cadillacs and Pontiacs over-emphasised, leaving other areas ning to relax the working conditions.
Image on the streets of Havana and the old neglected. In Havana, a large num- Whether this is ideological or out of Soviet trucks that transport people ber of buildings are falling into dis- necessity is debatable but what is clear : Rob Stothard round the country. repair. Some are still damaged from is a need for change. Castro may no On a more serious note, one can the Revolution. Another example is longer be in direct control but he still argue that the political system has the Malacon, a strip looking towards has a presence in the country. Thus, provided for its people. Most West- Havana Bay. In a more economically the real direction of Cuba is unlikely ern countries would envy its com- developed city, this would be filled to be known until Castro dies. His mitment to education and health, with bustling shops, cafes and res- younger brother is currently in charge Cuba gives tourists a rare glimpse longed absences. Castro returned to particularly with the present cuts. In taurants. Instead, very few exist, and but he is not young either; everyone into a communist country. How- voice his opinions on world affairs health, the key indicator is often life the infrastructure is extremely poor. is speculating about a likely heir. ever, this is not the only thing that while Kim-Jong-Il was pictured at expectancy, with Cuba achieving an Roads in and out of cities tend to be A change in direction is likely to be seduces tourists; many are charmed the first congress for years. This is impressive 77 years. Meanwhile, in in poor condition- for tourists, even a monitored keenly both in and outside by the fact that it appears frozen in when the similarities between the education, the literacy rate is equally trip down one of the few motorways Cuba. For many, including some of time since the 1959 Revolution. It’s two countries end. While North Ko- as remarkable and Cuba can boast a can be an adventure. the population, a Cuba more in line this aspect that makes Cuba so spe- rea looks set to continue as before, notable number of academic insti- The economy also takes its toll on with the West would be a relief. Still cial, though this appears to be at test- Cuba is showing signs of change as it tutions including Havana Univer- Cubans themselves. Tourists are fre- one can’t help but feel disappoint- ing point. prepares for life after Castro. sity. The success of both policies has quently asked for money in the cities ment if this very distinct Caribbean Both Castro and Kim-Jong-Il have The debate over Cuba’s political meant Cuba is ranked highly in a re- while even workers in the resorts on island lost some of its special charac- recently hit the headlines after pro- system, which has raged for the cent Millennium Development Goal the coast work hard to earn extra teristics.