Robinson College News
August 2020
What's happening at Robinson and how you can join in
Admissions 2020
The Robinson community’s concern for the difficult situation in which our offer holders have found themselves this year has been very clear, and the messages we've received articulating the positive impact of Robinson on the lives of our alumni have been extremely moving.
We have done our best to respond to these messages individually, outlining the situation as transparently as possible. Our Admissions Tutors were also in regular contact with offer-holders and their schools, ensuring that all relevant information was gathered and the offer-holders were well informed.
Ultimately there were 22 individuals impacted by the revision to A level grades and, upon receiving formal confirmation of the revised grades, 14 met the conditions of their original offer, while 8 students unfortunately missed the required grades. The latter group still have the opportunity to sit the examinations in autumn and if they successfully meet the grades then they will be guaranteed a place in 2021.
As a College, we were very pleased to be able to offer a place for all 14 of the successful offer-holders for 2020. However, a small number of medicine students were asked to defer by the department (and have agreed to do so). There were around a dozen medics across the whole University in this position, and in deciding places for 2020 the Central Admissions Office prioritised any individuals with disabilities or a Widening Participation case.
Overall, Robinson have confirmed a slightly larger intake than normal, with 120 freshers scheduled to arrive in 2020. We are very much looking to welcoming these students to the College and have been working very hard to ensure that the College environment meets all safety requirements.
We extend our thanks once again to Robinson's wider community for their support.
Graduation Day, virtually different
No gowns, no procession down to the Senate House, no group photos and no sandwiches and cakes in the summer glory of Robinson's gardens. This year our graduating students celebrated the end of their student life in Cambridge in the safety of their homes surrounded by their families. For the first time in the history of our College, Graduation Day was celebrated online with live addresses from the Warden, the Senior Tutor and the Robinson College Student Association. A recording of these live addresses can be watched via YouTube here. The Class of 2020 recorded a farewell song I Know I'll Miss You Robinson, which can be watched here. As soon as it's safe to do so the College will welcome our graduands back to Cambridge to say a postponed goodbye in person. Until then we wish them all the very best of luck as they embark on their bright futures.
Owen Buchan, a Fourth Year Engineering undergraduate, has been awarded the prestigious ISTAT Foundation Scholarship for 2020. This schlarship is awarded annually to academically-qualified students pursuing an aviation-related degree. Please read more here. |
Tiara Ataii, a Fourth Year MML undergraduate student, has been named as a finalist for The Undergraduate of the Year Award for Impactful Social Action 2020 with Clifford Chance. The final will be held virtually with Rachel Riley as host on Friday 4 September. Good luck Tiara! Please read more here. |
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Robinson calling!
The the Annual Telephone Campaign is a key date in the College's calendar and over the years the Campaign has raised in excess of £1m. 2020 is a year like no other, but despite logistical constraints, our team of 13 students are looking forward to speaking to our alumni and friends between the 14th and 28th September, sharing experiences of life at Robinson and asking for their support.
This year the focus of the fundraising will be on student wellbeing. The Coronavirus pandemic has had serious repercussions on our students, both on their finances and and on theri mental and physical health. Donations received during this campaign will enable us to expand the work that we are doing to support our students so that they can make the most of every opportunity a Cambridge education offers.
For more information on the Campaign and to meet the 2020 Calling Team, please follow this link.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Beyond COVID-19: The Future of Medicine. 4-5pm on Saturday 26 September
As part of our virtual alumni reunion, Robinson is hosting a live webinar on Saturday 26 September at 4pm. Beyond COVID-19: the Future of Medicine will bring together a panel of three speakers who read Medicine at Robinson. Professor Wendy Barclay, Professor Adam Fox and Professor John O'Brien will be talking to our host Dr Judith Richards about life at Robinson and their respective careers in infectious disease, dementia and old-age depression, and paediatric allergy. The panel discussion forms part of the University's Alumni Festival, and you can find out more about this event and register to participate here.
On 19th September two Robinsonians will be presenting as part of the Alumni Festival:
- Courtney Daniella Boateng (HSPS, 2015) will join a panel reflecting on experiences as young Black women at the University of Cambridge, Taking up Space: Tackling institutional racism
- Gordon Davies (Classics, 1991) in his presentation on 19th September, Town, Gown (and Clergy): How the University and Town Gas-Light Company lit up Cambridge will be talking about the dawn of the first industrial revolution in Cambridge.
Read more about the Festival here.
Our programme of events has been postponed temporarily owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government restrictions and recommendations. Please keep an eye on the events pages of our website, and on your email inbox, for further news.
With very best wishes from all at Robinson,
Sarah, Catherine, Norbert and Helen
Robinson College Development Office