Issue 29

23 July - 27 August 1996

Imperial's first class philosopher

When George completed the part-time course in May he was delighted to discover that not only had he been awarded a first class degree but he had received a first for each of the twenty different parts of the examination. The College awarded him a Congratulatory First for his outstanding achievement and he now plans to commence a MPhil this October at King's College, followed by a PhD perhaps in the USA.

Born in South Africa to British parents, 24-year old George began his higher education by studying for a degree in chemical engineering, a subject choice greatly influenced by the fact that it was only possible to receive funding for engineering courses.

Despite his parents' disapproval George left the university after one year once he realised it was possible to pursue a career in philosophy, a subject he had loved since his early teens. "You get told about being an engineer, accountant and a doctor but no-one says you can be a philosopher," he said.

George came to England, where he could stay with relatives, because he was keen to attend a university with a good reputation for philosophy. Studying in the evenings at Birkbeck College was particularly enjoyable because of the students George found himself studying alongside. "There were lawyers, housewives and dispatch riders. I met people I would never have otherwise met," he said.

George had been studying at Birkbeck for several months before he found permanent work at IC to support his studies. "I went for an interview at McDonalds and got turned down," he said.

It has been extremely useful to have a good grounding in the sciences as well as the arts. "It is nice to have a foot in both camps," said George.

George returns to his post here in October, after a summer trekking in the Himalayas.

Photography by IC Reporter.