One of the largest audiences ever seen for a lecture on site took place on 27 April 2023, as we welcomed the Norfolk Cambridge Society (NCS) back to Norwich School for their latest lecture.
This event formed part of our series of public lectures on cultural matters held on the school site in conjunction with partner institutions. NCS has a very active organising committee and attracts a large and loyal following by dint of securing top quality speakers for their lectures.
The speaker at this latest talk was no exception: Professor Ravindra Gupta, Professor of Clinical Microbiology at the Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Professor Gupta’s impressive CV lists degrees from the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard and he obtained his doctorate from University College, London.
He is one of the world’s leading virologists and delivered a thought-provoking and high-powered lecture on his specialism entitled: Defeating Pandemic Viruses.
In 2020 he was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. This was after a patient he had been treating, had become only the second person ever be cured of HIV. As he explained to our audience of NCS guests, scientists, parents, alumni and a large contingent of senior pupils, the main focus of his work then shifted to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Further recognition soon followed when this year he was awarded the highly prestigious Translational Microbiology Prize for his and his team’s cutting-edge research on the evolution of that virus in response to antibody-based therapies.
It was clear from the outset, that we were in the presence of a truly formidable intellect who was generous after his talk in answering an array of questions from the audience and in engaging with pupils and guests over refreshments in the Blake Studio afterwards.
The next Norfolk Cambridge Society lecture is entitled The Military Instrument – Theory and Practice on 6 June in Blake Studio - 18:30-20:00 – given by Lieutenant General Douglas McKenzie Chalmers, CB, DSO, OBE. General Chalmers is a former British Army officer who served as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy & Operations) from 2018 to 2021 and is currently Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. See: Lecture: The Military Instrument – Theory and Practice – Norfolk Cambridge Society. This promises be a rare opportunity to learn about modern warfare and defence strategy from a top military commander. Parents and sixth form pupils are welcome (tickets to be bought online in advance).
For a complete overview of activities being held at Norwich School this term, please see: At Close Quarters - Norwich School (norwich-school.org.uk)
