In a first, United Kingdom’s premier educational institution, Cambridge University, has named an entire residential building after an Indian national.The building is named after, Dr Yusuf Hamied, prominent scientist and head of the Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla.
According to a report in the Eastern Eye, "Yusuf Hamied Court," is located at Christ's College, Cambridge University, where Hamied pursued his undergraduate and PhD in chemistry from 1954 to 1960.
Lord Simon McDonald, the Master of Christ's College, led the grand opening of Yusuf Hamied Court. The event was attended by notable scientists including Nobel laureate professor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and chemist Mary Archer. Vikram Doraiswami, the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom was also present.
Yusuf Hamied, a Mumbai native and former Cambridge University student, revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry during his tenure at Cipla. From spearheading self-sufficiency in drug manufacturing to ensuring affordable medications for diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer, his transformative contributions have made Cipla a global leader in healthcare.
The establishment of the Yusuf Hamied Court at Christ's College not only pays tribute to Dr Hamied's academic journey but also strengthens the bond between Cambridge University and India. It stands as a symbol of recognition for the immense contributions made by individuals from diverse backgrounds to the field of education and scientific research.
Christ’s College, known for its illustrious alumni such as poet John Milton and scientist Charles Darwin, also boasts a connection to Jagadish Chandra Bose, an Indian botanist and physicist who pioneered the invention of radio waves before Guglielmo Marconi, opting not to patent his groundbreaking discovery.
