Issue 246 ▸ 3 May 2012 reporterSharing stories of Imperial’s community In charge Students take control of Imperial’s new carbon capture pilot plant → centre pages MADAME LIU MATHS MAN BIG SPLASH YANDONG Professor Staff member Chinese State Richard Craster to canoe the Councillor visits on his first six length of the the College months as HoD Thames PAGE 3 PAGE 10 PAGE 13 2 >> newsupdate www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 3 May 2012 • Issue 246 Future of microsurgery unveiled Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, officially opened Imperial’s newly refurbished Hamlyn Centre on 16 April. Guests were able to see the EDITOR’S CORNER latest developments in robot assisted microsurgery – minimally invasive sur- gery with micro-scale imaging and manipulation – made possible by funding totalling £5 million from the Wolfson Foundation and the National Institute for Open house Health Research (NIHR) underpinned by the Helen Hamlyn Trust endowment. The Hamlyn Centre, which is split across three Imperial campuses – Hamlyn Centre in advancing robot South Kensington, St Mary’s and Northwick Park – has been refurbished with assisted microsurgery.” From tackling malaria to cutting edge new technologies and a pre-clinical imaging suite for clinical tri- Lord Darzi, Chair of the Institute creating spray-on clothes als to enable clinicians and technicians to validate new surgical robots in the and co-director of the Hamlyn – conveying the amazing patient. The long-term hope is that the robots in the Hamlyn Centre will be Centre, said: “The new facilities breadth of work that goes integrated with imaging and sensing technologies to perform microsurgery, will allow us to build on our unique on at Imperial to family and for example, on cancerous cells. strengths in research and clinical appli- friends can be a tricky task. Janet Wolfson de Botton, Chairman of the Wolfson Foundation, cation of minimal invasive surgery.” I often find the passion said: “The Wolfson Foundation has a long tradition of funding excellence Visit: www.imperial.ac.uk/roboticsurgery academics have for their in science and technology and we are very pleased to support the work is best described in their own voices, which is why we created the Inside Story section of Reporter to help communicate this Shortlisting success for to the College community. On 11–12 May, members Imperial teams of the public will have the unique opportunity to Imperial has received two see the thinking behind nominations in the 2012 Imperial staff this section come to life Times Higher Education at Imperial’s first public Leadership and Manage- Olympics festival. I’m looking ment Awards. forward to going along and Imperial staff in the From old-school sports days to finding out how Imperial Library have been short- Olympic-themed quizzes and scientists saved the listed for Outstanding The Department of Medicine Leaning Tower of Pisa from Library Team, following a has been shortlisted in the fancy dress, this competition has leaning too far and trying nomination by Scott Heath, Outstanding Departmental something for everyone. To get my hand at some robotic ICU President. Debby Administration Team category, involved, create a mixed team of surgery – one of the many Shorley, Director of Library in which the judges will look for 4–8 people, who can be from a demonstrations being Services, said: “We are sim- evidence of excellent commu- showcased throughout ply thrilled about this news. nication and service delivery number of departments. Each the festival. For a write-up We enjoy a great relation- based on the needs of stu- team will be allocated a country and photos of the festival ship with our students, so dents, academics and central on registration. experience, keep your eyes we are especially delighted administration. peeled for the next issue that it was the students’ Dr Matt Lee, Departmental Register your team at: of Reporter, published union who nominated us for Manager, who coordinated the http://bit.ly/staffolympics on 24 May. For more this award.” entry said: “I am delighted that information visit: www. Commenting on why he the excellence of the administra- 8–11 May • South Kensington Campus imperial.ac.uk/festival nominated the team, Scott tion team has been deservedly EMILY ROSS-JOANNOU, EDITOR said: “This year the Library’s recognised. Although located campaign to see a fair deal across six campuses, the team is Reporter is published every three weeks during term from journal publishers unified in its focus to provide pro- time in print and online. The has provided sector-wide fessional, high quality support next publication day is savings which will benefit to academics and students. The 24 May. Imperial significantly. They strength of the team has been Contact Emily Ross-Joannou: [email protected] have also shown a desire instrumental in the outstanding to provide the best service departmental performance since Cover photograph: First possible; they were one of its formation in January 2010.” year undergraduate, Sydney Smith (Chemical Engineering) the first libraries to offer The winners will be checking a gauge in the carbon 24-hour access during term announced on 21 June. capture pilot plant. time and trialled longer —SIMON WATTS, COMMUNIcaTIONS AND opening hours during the DEVELOPMENT Easter break.” 3 www.imperial.ac.uk/reporter | reporter | 3 May 2012 • Issue 246 >> newsupdate Imperial announces plans for Chinese State Councillor new leadership visits Imperial Baroness Manningham-Buller, said: Chinese State Councillor Madame Liu Yandong paid a visit to “Higher education is facing tough Imperial on 15 April, where she learnt more about the College challenges. State funding for UK and its links with China, before taking a tour of the robotic universities is reducing and universi- surgery facilities in the College’s Hamlyn Centre, part of the ties across the wider world are compet- Institute of Global Health Innovation. ing with well-established institutions like ourselves for the best students and Madame Liu who, as a member of China’s politburo, is the high- staff. We have to be imaginative and est ranking female politician in China, was on a visit to Europe flexible, both to take advantage of the last month, taking in the UK, Belgium and Cyprus. She arrived at opportunities we have and to overcome the College accompanied by Mr Liu Xiaoming, China’s Ambassa- the difficulties we face.” dor to the UK, and senior Chinese Imperial announced plans for new In line with the beginning of the ministers. The delegation was met leadership arrangements which will search for a Provost, Sir Keith O’Nions by Rector Sir Keith O’Nions, separate the current responsibilities has assumed the title of President & Dr Simon Buckle, Pro Rector (Inter- of the Rector, and create a new role Rector. Commenting on the new national Affairs), and Professor of Provost on 30 April. The search for approach, Sir Keith said: “This model is Guang-Zhong Yang, Director of the the first Provost of the College has well established in many of the world's Hamlyn Centre. begun and marks the beginning of the leading universities, most notably in the The Rector said: “We are transition towards a leadership model US. The President & Rector, as the privileged to welcome Madame Liu that also includes the new position of College’s leader, will promote Imperial’s to Imperial today. This visit also President & Rector. position as a global university, moving provides an opportunity to recall it into a different league in terms of Imperial’s strong relationship with Imperial’s Council, the governing body development potential, and influence China, reflected both in numerous academic links and the of the College, has agreed to change of higher education and research policy. significant contributions of Chinese staff and students to the the current leadership structure for the The Provost will ensure the standard and Imperial community. It is a relationship we look forward to College. The role of President & Rector quality of the academic programme is deepening in the future.” will have oversight of all functions at maintained and enhanced.” Following presentations on Imperial and its links with China Imperial, but will also place greater The post of Provost will report and the College’s approach to innovation, Madame Liu met emphasis on Imperial’s external affairs directly to the President & Rector, and Chinese staff and students based at the College before Professor in the UK and overseas, focusing on together they will have responsibility for Yang took her on a tour of the Hamlyn Centre. building relationships with alumni, the strategic direction of the College. Madame Liu’s tour ended outside Imperial College Business supporters, governments and industry. As a member of Council, Imperial’s high- School. Thanking the Rector for hosting her visit, she said: “It The Provost will be responsible for est governing body, the Provost will was a pleasure to visit Imperial and learn more about the advancing and delivering the College’s also share responsibility for the wider College’s work, as well as to hear more about its continuing rela- core academic mission – education, governance of the College. tionship with China.” The event follows a visit in February by the research and translation. —SIMON WATTS, COMMUNIcaTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT Chinese Ambassador. Explaining the reasons behind —JOHN-PAUL JONES, COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT For more information about the role of Provost the decision to change the leadership