 |
|
Media spotlight
with Judith H Moore
Media interest in merger Imperial is consistently in the education headlines after
highlighting the funding deficit faced by UK higher education
institutions. "Top-up fees for top universities are the hottest
undecided item on the domestic political agenda", reports
theGuardian (02/11/02). Speaking to the Business
(20/10/02) rector, Sir Richard Sykes, said: "Through years of
inadequate funding… our competitive edge is fading rapidly.
If we are to compete successfully as a nation in the knowledge
based economy, it is essential that our top universities are
enabled to compete effectively on a global stage." Imperial staff can keep up-to-date with College issues by
signing up for our daily news digest at: www.ic.ac.uk/default.asp?P=1946 Measuring long-term health effects of vehicle
emissions Chart topping alumnus
Merger talks between Imperial and University College
London have entered their fifth week. The Guardian
(15/10/02), describes the possible union as creating a
'super-university' while the Daily Telegraph (15/10/02)
describes negotiations between 'two of Britain's most prestigious
academic institutions' as opening up the possibility of creating
'the world's number-one university'. The Times (17/10/02)
adds: "With their proposed £800 million merger, Imperial
College and University College London are set to transform
themselves into the Manchester United of the British academic
league."
Imperial scientists are developing a new system that
helps measure the long-term health effects of vehicle pollution.
Working with partners in industry and government, Dr Washington
Ochieng, civil and environmental engineering, is helping design a
novel system capable of distinguishing between vehicle emissions
and those generated by other sources. "The new system will allow
officials to ensure the UK is complying with environmental
regulations, while health professionals hope to gain valuable
information on the affects of pollution on the development of
cancers, as well as breathing and lung disorders," Dr Ochieng told
the Engineer (28/10/02).
A multi-talented alumnus who first rose to fame with eighties pop
sensation, Haysi Fantayzee, is reaping the rewards of a very
different venture. Caplin Systems, the company created by former
Imperial maths student, Paul Caplin has been voted number three in
the Sunday Times chart of the top 100 hi-tech businesses
in the UK. The awards, which rank the fastest-growing unquoted
technology companies, credits the company's success with developing
computer technology that provides effective data feeds to banks and
brokers across the globe. "We can now enable financial institutions
to use the web to get real-time information rather than go through
Reuters or Bloomberg," Paul told the Sunday Times
(29/09/02).
| imperial front page | reporter front page | this issue's front page | feedback |