University of Cambridge’s vice-chancellor visits Mumbai school, interacts with students

The highlight of the interaction was when students quizzed Borysiewicz on how Cambridges produce so many Nobel laureates, said the teachers who attended the programme.

The vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Leszek Borysiewicz, visited Podar International School in Santacruz on Wednesday, as a part of his six-day visit to India. In an interaction with the school students, he spoke about studying in the United Kingdom and the changes they would face when they move from school to university.

The vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Leszek Borysiewicz speaks to students of Podar International School, on Wednesday. (HT photo)

This was the vice-chancellor’s tenth visit to India during his tenure where he was accompanied by the new pro-vice-chancellor (education) Graham Virgo and the pro-vice-chancellor for institutional and international relations, Eilís Ferran.

“For over 150 years, Cambridge has enjoyed a particularly close relationship with India. By visiting India we are building on broad, deep and enduring links of friendship and academic partnership,” said Borysiewicz.

According to the teachers who attended the programme, the highlight of the interaction was when students quizzed Borysiewicz on how Cambridges produce so many Nobel laureates. “Borysiewicz was quite amused by this question. He said that the questions posed belied the students’ young years,” said Vandana Lulla, director, Podar Group of Schools.

The students also asked him about his experience at Cambridge, from an immigrant to the United Kingdom to assimilating in its culture and how he strikes a balance between his work and hobbies, among others.

On Friday, the vice-chancellor will visit the National Centre for Biological Science Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (NCBS-in Stem) in Bangalore, followed by a visit to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where he is supposed to deliver a lecture.