CAMBRIDGE:Going to Cambridge had always been a dream for Matthew Omoefe Offeh, one of a growing number of black students who are slowly reshaping the elite university's racial mix, helped in part by rapper Stormzy.
The 18-year-old from Luton, north of London, has just started an engineering course at Cambridge's Magdalene College, which traces its roots to 1428 and whose illustrious alumni include the 17th-century diarist Samuel Pepys.
Offeh has benefited from Target Oxbridge, a free coaching programme that looks to open up Oxford and Cambridge to more working-class and minority students.
Oxford and Cambridge are the two oldest and most prestigious British universities, synonymous with educating the sons and daughters of the establishment from Britain and around the world.
"Some people think that they won't fit in, that Cambridge isn't a place for black students," Offeh told AFP.
"If you show your passion for your subject and your ability to do it, then you should be fine," he said.
Offeh is among 137 black undergraduates who started at Cambridge this academic year a 50-percent increase on last year and a huge jump on 2015, when the number was a paltry 38.
The increase has brought the proportion of black undergraduates in this year's intake to 4.6 percent. That compares to 3.3 percent of black people in the overall population, according to the last census in 2011.
"That's the highest figure we have ever had," said Professor Graham Virgo, senior pro-vice chancellor at the university.
"We've been working very hard to encourage more black students to apply... we have known that black students are under-represented in the university," he said.
- Breaking glass ceilings -
UK universities have been criticised for a lack of diversity and opportunities for black and minority ethnic (BAME) students and staff.
In June at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, Britain's first BAME female cabinet minister Valerie Amos said there was "deep structural and systemic discrimination" in higher education.
Cambridge postgraduate student Nia-Cerise Conteh has tweeted about her experiences of physical and verbal assaults.
On a BBC documentary aired this month called "Being Black at Cambridge", she described being racially abused by a university staff member on a train.
Depressed at a lacklustre response from the university, she had thought of dropping out, but said through tears: "I'm fighting for every other black person who I know, who needs to occupy these spaces.
"Black people need to know that they need to get here so that we can pave the way for others. And we need to break that glass ceiling," Conteh said.
Cambridge said it took all such incidents seriously, and urged any affected students to come forward.
The university's intake has traditionally favoured pupils from wealthy private schools over inner-city state establishments.
But it has tried to encourage those from less well-off backgrounds to apply with information campaigns, scholarships and outreach on social media.
Grime music star Stormzy launched a scholarship in 2018 to support black students at Cambridge who cannot afford the annual tuition fees of about £9,000 (nearly $12,000 or 10,000 euros) and the living costs.
Initially Stormzy proposed the scheme to Oxford, which he says turned him down. This year, he is offering two Cambridge scholarships worth £18,000 ($23,000 or 19,000 euros).
"Clearly that's been really important for those students. But also, it's really raised the profile" of the university among potential applicants, Virgo said.
- 'Decolonise' libraries -
Wanipa Ndhlovu is in her third year studying law at Trinity College, Prince Charles' alma mater and the grandest of all the university's constituent colleges.
She said the growth in numbers of black students at Cambridge had been visible.
"The change from my first and my second year was really, really substantial," the 20-year-old told AFP. Looking at younger year groups, she felt "it's much easier for them to integrate".
Ndhlovu was born in Zambia and said she had experienced the same kind of "micro aggressions and ignorance" at Cambridge as growing up in York, northern England.
She admitted to being overwhelmed by Cambridge's imposing buildings, and worried that she would not meet anyone who was like her.
The killing by police of George Floyd in the United States, which sparked the wave of Black Lives Matter protests across the world, "brought to my attention again that there's so many people who, no matter what I do, no matter what I achieve, just won't see me as equal".
Virgo said he has met many students who want university authorities to take action in light of the protests.
That meant ensuring "their voice is heard in the classroom, what we study and we really are looking at our curriculum to make sure that black voices and black experience is reflected".
The university's response also includes a programme to "decolonise" its vast central library, to try to diversify and widen its collections.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Sat Oct 31 2020
Cambridge law student Wanipa Ndhlovu walks across the Great Court at Trinity College, part of the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, east England. AFPRelaxpic
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.