Members of the Vaga Probus Club welcomed their partners to the most recent club meeting which took place at Ross Golf Club, and which was followed by a splendid buffet lunch. Founder member, Peter Thacker was presented with a certificate in recognition of his being made an Honorary Life Member and the guest speaker was Professor Janusz Kozinski, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer for the new University of Herefordshire.

Professor Kozinski shared a few stories from his life, which included a ‘Zero G’ space flight. This involved flying to a height of 34,000 feet, then with engines switched off, falling and experiencing weightlessness before climbing back up and repeating this parabolic arc flight another 28 times.

Professor Kozinski was the Founding Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto, Canada. The Lassonde building was architecturally unique, with all its many windows being a different non-uniform shape and size. However he explained that it was the concept of ‘Renaissance Engineering’ that defined this university.

He said that this will be the driving vision for the new university in Hereford. All students will study in an holistic environment embracing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics with four week ‘sprints’ in small groups, each group having been tasked with solving a problem.

Studies will involve working with professionals from all walks of life and students will be required to produce something tangible at the end of each sprint.

Projects will focus on four key themes namely, feeding the world, shaping the future, living sustainably and living safely. Students will work 46 weeks a year and complete a Master’s degree in three years. The university want a partnership with community, industry and government, with employability at the core of the project.

Professor Kozinski’s talk was inspirational, his enthusiasm infectious and all present will undoubtedly watch with interest as this project develops. A vote of thanks was proposed by club member Rod Barker, who has also been a member of the new university steering group.

Vaga Probus Club is a men only group that meets twice a month in Ross. Visitors are very welcome, please contact the Secretary on 07956 456 290 for details.