The Cambridge University Chemical Engineering Society, CUCES, is a student-run society that organises functions for the benefit of undergraduates and postgraduates in the department. We organise regular social events, as well as skills-based evenings that are run with the support of companies from industry and the department itself.

The skills-based, 'technical', evenings are intended to be an informal setting where students can pick up valuable new skills which will prove useful later on in their careers- for example, project-planning, or applying for internships or graduate jobs. These events also present an easy opportunity to talk to people from industry about their companies to enable students to discover more about potential employers. Visits to Chemical Engineering industries have additionally been scheduled by CUCES; recent visits have been to P&G and Unilever sites.

CUCES also provides a social focus for students in the department - we organise regular dinners at Cambridge colleges ('formal halls') and pub-crawls. Our two main social events are the annual CUCES Dinner in Lent term and the somewhat less formal Barbecue held at the end of the year after exams. Both these company-sponsored events enjoy a high level of department participation.

The Plumbers - our department's very own social (AKA drinking) society participates in these events; whilst also running smaller, more laid back evenings.

Every year the Department takes part in the Frank Morton Games - a Chemical Engineers' 'sports' day attended by 30 university and company teams. This event is hosted by a different university each year and provides a grand day out for those who go. The games vary from the typical - football, hockey - to the more obscure - dodge ball and 'throw the Perry's'. There is a prize for the best team (and best team shirt), but the emphasis is purely on having fun - after all, it's a day when lectures are off!

CUCES provides a necessary focus within a busy department and brings together students, postgraduates and teaching staff.

Annie Spencer
cuces President 2009-10

External link: www.srcf.ucam.org/cuces/ - home page of cuces.