A message from the President, Professor Jane Clarke

Some of our students are sitting their exams right now – good luck to all of them. This time of year in College is always one of quiet suspense, but, just as in “normal times” preparations for the summer continue alongside exams. During this enforced lockdown, we are working hard to ensure we are ready to welcome back our students once the restrictions are lifted.

Contrary to anything you may have heard, Cambridge will be open for business next academic year. While large lectures cannot be offered in person safely, the small group teaching which characterises a Cambridge education will go ahead, in as near-to-normal fashion as social distancing measures allow. We hope that labs will start opening soon to allow lab-based PhD students to return to Cambridge, and that as the government restrictions are lifted further, others will be allowed to follow. We are also gearing up to welcome our new students. We have some Offer Holder events planned and want to reassure our incoming students that Wolfson will still offer you the opportunity to be part of our inspiring international community of scholars. Life in Cambridge is definitively far more than being crammed into large lecture theatres!

We are also ramping up our virtual life, to keep connected to the worldwide Wolfson community. Last week I had the pleasure of seeing members of the President’s Circle from across the globe. This week I have been meeting alumni in the USA (to make up for the trip Sian Cook and I were due to make this month). I hope you have signed up to This Week at Wolfson. It makes sense to sign up no matter where you live because all of our talks are online and they can be accessed whenever you have time to come along.

The Development Office are planning a series of events for alumni and supporters during the summer. And, importantly, we will be having some online Graduation gatherings to hail our students’ successes, which will serve as a placeholder for the time when we can welcome all our departing students back to celebrate in full Cambridge style.

I look forward to seeing you again here in Wolfson. Meanwhile, keep well, keep safe.