ARCHES The Magazine of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne Issue 3 | Autumn 2003 Spreading the Sun Safety Message Towards a Cultural Quarter ARCHES Editorial ARCHES Contents ARCHES News 4-12 Newcastle Universities Welcome to Issue 3 of Arches, the magazine United Toon and gown coming together of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in Malaysia. Police Chief’s Rude Passion Nick Fisher and the second earl of Rochester. Nanotechnology Skin Deep Rock Art It’s in the news but what is it Cancer research backs the sun Prehistoric art gets the modern touch. all about? safety message. Many of you will have shared my disappointment in June when Newcastle Gateshead’s joint bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008 narrowly missed out to Liverpool. ARCHES Features 13-17 It is important to acknowledge, however, the tremendously positive impact the bid process has had in galvanizing the North East and changing national and international perceptions of the region. The competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2008 has already had, and will continue to have, a transforming effect on both the landscape and cultural activity in the North East. Not winning the title is tough, but in a very real sense this has been a good example of the maxim that it is not the winning but the taking part that matters. The exciting plans outlined on pages 13–15 to develop a Cultural Quarter on the University campus perfectly illustrate the ongoing commitment of this University to play a leading role in our regional cultural renaissance. These plans, which are on top of a current programme of building and redevelopment across Towards a Digging up Dirt the University totalling more than £80 million over seven years, will transform Cultural Quarter The history of agriculture the way we engage as an institution with the general public both locally and Unveiling plans for an exciting at the University. further afield. I very much hope that our alumni will be among the first to come cultural quarter on campus. back to visit us and witness the major changes taking place. Finally, if you are interested in following progress on the Cultural Quarter and the many other interesting stories taking place at the University then you might ARCHES Regulars 18-23 like to consider taking advantage of our new NewsLink service. This service is fully accessible on the external website at www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/newslink and anyone wishing to receive a weekly NewsLink bulletin by e-mail can join Events/Listings simply by sending a request to [email protected]. Reports on past alumni activity and notice of future events. I do hope you enjoy reading this latest issue of Arches magazine. Classnotes With very best wishes Catch up with the latest news from old friends and acquaintances. Alumni Profile Matthew Nicklin on the world of King’s College media and entertainment law. Firewatchers Reunite Professor Christopher Edwards A special evening for the alumni Vice-Chancellor firewatchers of World War Two. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne Magazine | Issue 3 Autumn 2003 | www.ncl.ac.uk | 3 ARCHES News NEWCASTLE Universities Bright Ideas to Beat the UNITED! ‘Brain Drain’ Bright ideas for businesses have won two teams of entrepreneurial students a string of awards in the national When Newcastle United travelled to Malaysia to play in the inaugural final of the Graduate Enterprise Programme – an annual FA Premier League Asia Cup this summer, it provided Newcastle and competition to showcase student enterprise companies from Northumbria Universities with the perfect opportunity to team up to universities across the UK. encourage more students from the Far East to study on Tyneside. The two companies – Magnetics, which designs and produces The Universities were one of the tournament sponsors and, as well as promotional fridge magnets, and Ignite, a company set up to providing pitch-side advertising, they also produced a two-minute provide an economical printing service for small companies – advertisement which was shown on giant TV screens in Kuala Lumpur’s HONOUR FOR SIR BOBBY notched up an unprecedented four awards between them. national Bukit Jalil Stadium, and in the commercial breaks during the live TV coverage of the games. Chancellor Christopher Patten chats to PARTNERS students. Magnetics, set up by Ben Woodhead and Mark Wallace, won Newcastle United’s manager, Sir Bobby Robson, has been the Learning by Doing category and was recognized for its Assistant Director of the International Office, David Forman, said: ‘There are honoured by the University for his achievements during his ethical and environmental principles. The company was also already a lot of students from the Far East studying in Newcastle, but we footballing career, spanning 53 years as a club and named runner-up in the Company of the Year section. hope to attract many more through our involvement in the Asia Cup’. international player and manager. Chancellor Joins Ignite, which is run by fellow students Charles Baybutt and The tournament also caught the imagination of many Malaysian alumni who At a ceremony in May, Sir Bobby received an Honorary Doctor Summer Celebrations Jennifer Tomkinson, won the Innovative Product or Service award. attended the matches and visited a special alumni booth at the stadium. of Civil Law degree from the Chancellor of the University, the Around 30 alumni and guests also enjoyed afternoon tea with the Right Honourable Christopher Patten CH. Also receiving The success of Magnetics and Ignite has delighted Gareth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Edwards, at the Palace of the Golden honorary degrees were Fiona Reynolds CBE, Director-General of North East students attending a Summer School in July had a Trainer, who manages the University’s Enterprise Centre, which Horses in Kuala Lumpur, organized by David Forman and local alumni leader the National Trust; international expert in computer security, chance to share their experiences with the Chancellor of offers expert advice to students with ideas for starting up their Dato’ Dr Haji Mohamed Ishak (Dip Town & Country Planning 1964, Professor Fred Schneider, of Cornell University; and eminent the University, Christopher Patten, when he dropped in on own business. He believes enterprise programmes such as Dip Landscape Design 1973, Hon DCL 1993). industrialist, Dr Herbert Loebl OBE. a workshop in the students’ Union. Newcastle’s, which is one of only a handful in the UK, have ‘massive potential’. They were joined by Jane Taylor, Tamsin Ridden and Rhiannon Haywood, who were among almost 3,000 students graduating He said: ‘Apart from job creation, one of the advantages of from the University this summer. Three years ago, Jane, student enterprise is that it gives the students a good reason to Tamsin and Rhiannon took part in the very first PARTNERS stay in the region after they graduate, helping to halt the ‘brain For a team of football-loving Malaysian students, Summer School. drain’ effect that concerns economists. This region has got a A QUESTION OF SUPPORT... Newcastle United’s participation in the FA Premier League fantastic business support culture, plus great commercial ideas. Asia Cup presented something of a dilemma: just which Rhiannon, who gained a BSc Honours in Applied Biology, said: The University is producing graduates who can make a team should they support? ‘It’s really great to see these students enjoying the Summer contribution to the regional economy, and the North East is a School. Attending a similar event back in 2000 was a very very fertile place for these ideas to grow’, he added. All of them grew up in Malaysia supporting their national side, enjoyable experience, and I would encourage all of them to but now the team, who regularly play in five- and six-a-side believe in their own ability, and take the opportunity to study inter-university matches, are such big fans of Newcastle United at the University.’ that they have adopted the team’s famous black and white kit as their own. Mr Patten had his own words of encouragement for the students. He said: ‘Simply by being here, you have already made a As the Asia Cup kicked off, they admitted that they hadn’t significant commitment to university study. I wish you all well, decided whether they would like Newcastle or Malaysia to win. and hope to see you at your own graduation in a few years’ time.’ Ahmad Aslam Kamarudin, an MSc Mechanical Engineering student, said: ‘We’ll be supporting both Newcastle and Malaysia The Assessed Summer School was part of the University’s in their first round matches. But if Newcastle meet Malaysia in PARTNERS (Progression and Access Routes to Newcastle the next stage, we really won’t know which team to cheer on. University) programme, a scheme set up to encourage We will all be feeling divided loyalties as we watch the game.’ applications from students who might otherwise not have considered university as an option. In the event, the Malaysian national side and Birmingham City FC were knocked out in the early stages of the tournament, Since the scheme began, in 1999, applications from PARTNERS leaving Newcastle United to face London-based Premiership schools have risen by 63 per cent. Newcastle alumni help to club, Chelsea, in a nail-biting final – which Chelsea eventually support the programme by providing scholarships and bursaries The Magnetics team: l-r Ben Woodhead, James Rossiter, Sophie Cross and United we stand! Members of the Malaysian students’ five-a-side team. won on penalties. for students entering the University through PARTNERS. Mark Wallace. 4 | The University of Newcastle upon Tyne Magazine | Issue 3 Autumn 2003 | www.ncl.ac.uk The University of Newcastle upon Tyne Magazine | Issue 3 Autumn 2003 | www.ncl.ac.uk | 5 SKIN CANCER FACT: SKIN CANCER FACT: SKIN CANCER FACT: ARCHES News Feature Most forms are caused by excessive exposure It is the most common cancer in the UK and Everyone, regardless of skin colour, should be to the sun and can take 20 to 30 years over 2,000 people die each year as a result.