Success for Cambridge Students

Cambridge University Students Union's Little Black Book has been awarded one of the top prizes in the 7th Annual British Diversity Awards 2001.

The handbook, which has already been hailed as a 'milestone' by the Stephen Lawrence Trust and is being used by the Department for Education and Employment as part of its national race relations initiative and its strategy to promote multiculturalism in the curriculum, won the gold standard first prize in the Raising Diversity Awareness section.

The Little Black Book was the only student-led initiative to be nominated. Editor and CUSU President, Pav Akhtar, and CUSU Access Officer, Rachel Tripp, were at the ceremony to collect the award.

"We are delighted with this award, both in recognition of our achievements here at Cambridge but for black students across the UK," he said.

"The handbook is an effective starting point for building confidence to deal with race and racial issues in a pro-active manner," said Pav. "By distributing the handbook to students, academics, administrators and prospective students, we are working to raise awareness, sensitivity and understanding, and promoting mutual learning.

"Through inter-cultural education we can confront the stereotypical image of a Cambridge student and promote Cambridge as a place where students from all backgrounds can thrive both academically and socially."

As well as the Government, other universities and the National Union of Students are planning to produce their own handbooks. The Little Black Book offers Black students specialist advice on welfare, religion and problems they might face, as well as details of national and University groups, and campaigns. It also includes first-hand accounts of students' experiences at Cambridge and there is a section on specialist services available in the city.

The 7th Annual The British Diversity Awards 2001 recognise excellence in equality management and practice. Their main aim is to publicly recognise and reward organisations, or individuals, which demonstrate a greater degree of commitment to realising the ideal of genuine equality of opportunity for everyone, as well as appreciating the benefits of diversity within their community.

The awards are presented by AnSer House of Marlow UK, in association with the New IMPACT Journal. The awards are decided by readers and advisers of the New IMPACT Journal. Guests at event also included Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP (leader of the Liberal Democrats), Lord Ouseley of Peckam Rye (MD of different realities), Vice Admiral Peter Spencer (Royal Navy), Lady Diana Brittan (Chair of Judges).