Cambridge marks 20 years of programme to encourage ethnic minority applications

2009 sees the University of Cambridge mark its 800th year. A slightly less venerable, but no less important anniversary is also being marked by the University’s GEEMA (Group to Encourage Ethnic Minority Applications) programme, which was set up in 1989 as a joint venture by students and the Colleges of Cambridge to encourage ethnic minority applications and ensure bright students from whatever background know that Cambridge could, and should, be a place for them.GEEMA was one of the first programmes of its kind in UK Universities and its model of a range of outreach initiatives from Open Days and Summer Schools exclusively for students from minority ethnic backgrounds, to school visits and partnerships with external organisations has been the forerunner of many widening participation and widening access initiatives.

The real impact of GEEMA over the last 20 years is visible in figures released by the University of Cambridge this week. They show that in 2008, a record number of ethnic minority students were admitted to Cambridge.
 

In 1990, a year after GEEMA was founded, 158 (or 5.5 per cent) of the 2,865 home students admitted to Cambridge whose ethnicity was known were from ethnic minorities. In 2007 the equivalent numbers were 428 (14.7 per cent) out of 2,911. For 2008 the figures are 448 (15.5 per cent) out of 2,890. Therefore the number of home students of ethnic minority origin admitted to Cambridge has increased by 5% this year.
 

Jon Beard, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment for the University, said: “The University of Cambridge remains committed to attracting the brightest and best students regardless of background, and as GEEMA enters its 20th year these figures emphasise the vital role it plays in ensuring that happens. The University is rightly proud of the work GEEMA does and this anniversary year is the perfect opportunity to showcase its successes and push even harder to ensure that all students of high academic ability know that Cambridge could be for them.”
 

Matthew Ryder (pictured) who studied law at Cambridge from 1986 to 1989 was one of a group of students who helped to found GEEMA. He is now a barrister at Matrix chambers, specialising in crime and human rights. He has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, including representing the parents of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, and he is highly regarded in the fields of police law and terrorism. Last year he was selected by the government as one of the 20 REACH National Role Models, tasked with providing alternative role models and life paths for African-Caribbean boys and young men.
 

“GEEMA arose out of Cambridge Black Students’ Caucus in the mid-1980s. It was a unique project because it was the first time black British students were a visible entity at Cambridge. Our goal was to make the University more accessible and less intimidating to those coming behind us. The improvement in numbers shows why GEEMA is effective, but there’s still work to do. Cambridge and other universities are always trying to attract the very best young minds, no matter what background they come from and GEEMA has an important part to play in doing that.”
 

The most powerful testament to the effectiveness of the GEEMA programme are those who’ve experienced it for themselves and know the transformative value it can and does have. An anniversary dinner planned for the summer of 2009 will bring together many of those people – some now prominent figures in their chosen fields. Anyone wishing to obtain further details on this event is invited to contact geema@cao.cam.ac.uk.