The Cambridge Phenomenon Cambridge consistently tops independent surveys of University teaching and research throughout Europe. The Times Newspaper described the University as 'simply the world's best University'. The contribution made by these Cambridge minds to the University and the wider world includes both their research and the inspiration and teaching they have provided to students. Because of the university's long-standing reputation for ground breaking research and the eminence of its teachers, leading to outstanding academic achievement, Cambridge is able to attract the brightest and the best. The young academics and students currently working in Cambridge will extend the reputation of the university far into the future.
Continued success depends on growth and change.
This challenge was met in the 1970s by creating one of the first UK science parks on the outskirts of the city. This model has since been copied throughout the UK and many companies have found the local environment of research and scientific exploitation uniquely beneficial to their own development. Specific benefits of undertaking research in Cambridge have included the ability of business to recruit top-quality personnel as well as having access to innovation. In reality, however, many of these science park companies still find themselves on the periphery of cutting edge academic research at the University. Or vision is to take the science park concept a stage further - to set up embedded companies right at the heart of a world class Materials Department.