Endorsements and Feedback
Endorsements of the UK‑Japan Young Scientists Workshop Programme
From Sir Martin Rees, OM, FRS, Lord Rees of Ludlow, Astronomer Royal and formerly President of the Royal Society and Master of Trinity College Cambridge, August 2019. Martin Rees has spoken at most Cambridge Workshops since 2010.
What has really impressed me about the UK-Japan Young Scientists Workshops are how quickly the talented young scientists from two very different countries develop friendly contacts and are able jointly to tackle challenging projects. The programme offers a memorable and formative experience of science as the one truly global culture that transcends national boundaries which the students can share. The 'format' plainly works. Much dedicated effort goes into the planning and running of these events, but above all it's Eric Albone's vision and commitment over the last 25 years that's been crucial. Let's hope these Workshops will continue for another 25 years - and it's a 'template that could surely be expanded and replicated if the funds were there.
From Rt Hon Baroness Garden of Frognal, former Government Whip and Spokesperson for the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education, written following the 2019 Cambridge UK-Japan Young Scientists Workshop
What a fantastic day! Truly inspirational to hear those young people with their projects and enthusiasm, and the great way they worked together, whatever the language and cultural differences. Thank you so much for introducing me to your brilliant initiative.
From Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, when Secretary of State for Education
The programme sounds really fantastic, so thank you for taking time to introduce it to me. I was particularly pleased to read that girls comprise at least half of workshop membership, and that schools with a high proportion of disadvantaged pupils have committed to participating in the near future… My diary is disappointingly too busy for me to commit to this {meeting} but my officials will be absolutely delighted to meet you on my behalf.
From Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education, June 2013
I would like to express my warmest congratulations on your award in the Birthday Honours List. I am delighted that your services to the Clifton Scientific Trust have been marked in such a fitting way. You can be justifiably be proud of your achievements.
From Japanese Ambassador, Koji Tsuruoka on the bestowal of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays on Eric Albone, June 2017
During his opening remarks, Ambassador Tsuruoka praised Dr Albone’s many years of achievements, including his invaluable efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake and ensuring tsunami, when he welcomed students and teachers from the affected areas to the UK-Japan Young Scientists Workshop in the UK. Ambassador also read out a letter from Mr Masao Uchibori, Governor of Fukushima, thanking Dr Albone for the ‘dreams and hope’ that he gave to those affected.
From Mr Mouhssin Ismail, Principal, Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre, East Ham, when he became a Patron of Clifton Scientific Trust
It never ceases to amaze me at how you manage to do so much with so little resources at your disposal. Both you and CST are testament to what can be achieved when you have an unrelenting and uncompromising commitment to help young people from less affluent backgrounds flourish and achieve in the field of science and life more generally.
Report back from a colleague of an encounter with a Japanese student who had taken part in an earlier Workshop, 2018. Such feedback is not uncommon.
He is now a 1st year at the University of Tokyo, studying Physics and hoping to specialise in Theoretical Physics. Speaking to him directly, he evidently possessed a great deal of ambition, drive and natural curiosity for his subject that was well beyond that of a typical Japanese student. I asked him what made him like this, and his reply was that the Young Scientists Workshop was the single most important pivot point in his life so far. I think the thing that impacted him the most was the positive scientific environment that the workshop promotes, where everyone should ask lots of questions and to not be afraid to ask questions. He is now considering doing part of his study abroad, to put himself back in the fantastic scientific environment he experienced during the workshop. Personally, it is both reassuring and encouraging to know how positively the workshop impacts these young people.
From Tim Hitchens, then British Ambassador to Japan, June 2012
The UK-Japan Young Scientists Workshop is an extremely worthwhile initiative to strengthen the cooperation and cultural understanding between our countries and spark young minds interest in science and engineering.
From 2019 Report on the student team working in the Whittle Laboratory on Compressor Blade Design in Jet Engines from Ryo Mizuta, Engineering Dept, University of Cambridge
The second point also fed into the student’s ability to work incredibly well as a team. I was very impressed by the dynamic by which students prepared their final presentation and the impeccable inter-personal skills they displayed in doing so. Students were put into Japan-UK student pairs and assigned a section of the presentation to prepare. Here, they were extremely efficient in identifying the key points that needed to be presented through independent discussion with their peers. The discussions reflected the open, non-judgemental environment that this project seeks to promote, with each student listening attentively to each other’s opinions and treating them with respect.
Some Student feedback
From UK students written on the flight returning from the 2018 Tohoku Workshop
My time here has changed my perspective on life and what it holds for me. This trip has in all honesty opened my eyes to new paradigms that I didn’t know existed and has invigorated me with new hope for the future.
For the past seven days I have not only learnt to interact with people who have the same passion and interest as me through the universal language of science, but I have learnt that human interaction is the leading element to great ideas and practice. This unique experience will never be forgotten because it really has triggered a spark in not only me, but the rest of the group too.
The UK-Japan Young Scientists Workshop has been one of the most surreal experiences I have ever been a part of. Not only did it broaden my understanding in areas of science from geology to social science, but I was able to explore a new culture… I got to meet wonderful and friendly people. Although at first there was a language barrier, as days passed through laughter and many cultural exchanges, we were able to create and flourish friendships. If there is anything this trip has taught me it’s that by stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing new things, I will always come out more insightful and broad minded. This is a lesson that cannot be learnt in the classroom.
From a female student who took part in the Jet Engine Compressor Blade Design Project in 2018 Cambridge Workshop
My experience with maths has only ever been classroom based. I learn the information so I can pass the exam and don't tend to ever think about the real world uses of it. The workshop was able to link the learning of knowledge with an actual application of it in a balanced way.
It has changed my views about engineering. Before the workshop I always thought progress in engineering was pioneered by a single person making discoveries on their own, as all of the discoveries I've been taught about highlight the efforts of a single person. Taking part in this has made me realise that it's actually a global effort, where teams of researchers all over the world chip away at different problems which gradually furthers the knowledge of the whole field. The atmosphere seems to be very collaborative.
From an email a UK student sent following her participation in the 2018 Cambridge Workshop.
My peers and I have scheduled several assemblies inspired by your programme, such as the topic of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. We have also arranged an open club to share Japanese culture and work on the 1000 paper crane project in commemoration for lives lost due to radiation. We are very excited to share our experiences with our school and look forward to taking part in your programme for the coming years.