News

Imperial storms to record fifth University Challenge title

Imperial storms to record fifth University Challenge title

Imperial won a record fifth University Challenge title this year with a rampant final-round display against University College London (UCL).

In a manner that has become familiar over the past few months, the team of Haddad, Debnath, Lee and Jones eased passed their London rivals, winning 285-120.

Both teams came into the final unbeaten and appeared evenly matched with the scores at 40-40 early in the game. But Imperial quickly accelerated away from their opponents, demonstrating their knowledge of literature, music, science and art.

UCL’s team members put in a spirited performance but were unable to get off the mark and had their heads in their hands by the halfway point.

The victory is Imperial’s third since 2020 and fifth in total, making it the most successful team in the competition’s 62-year history.

“I’m thrilled to have captained Imperial College London to its fifth historic win, making us the institution with the most wins in the history of the programme,” said team captain Suraiya Haddad. “We have all worked incredibly hard and done Imperial proud.

“The level of support we have received from the Imperial community and beyond has been amazing, thank you to everyone who has been cheering us on!”

Read Felix's interview with the team here.

UC win
Imperial team captain Suraiya Haddad collects the University Challenge trophy from host Amol Rajan

From Issue 1847

10th May 2024

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

Read more

The Imperial College Union building in Beit Quad.

What ICU's Leadership Elections tell us about the student union

Every year around this time, student social media is flooded with election chatter. Imperial students are swamped with follow requests from campaign accounts and Instagram stories endorsing one candidate or another.  Beneath the spectacle though, an important process is at work. Imperial College Union’s (ICU) Leadership Elections determine which

By Jamie John

Environment

College Fossil Fuel partners explore options in Venezuela

Since the removal of Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolas Maduro, by an American task force in January, President Donald Trump has vociferously called for oil companies to rekindle their commercial ties with the embattled petrostate. Although many have been reluctant to “take the oil”, baulking at high upfront investments to

By Guillaume Felix
Lobbying by Stove Industry undermines Council Public Health Campaigns and Housing Plans

Environment

Lobbying by Stove Industry undermines Council Public Health Campaigns and Housing Plans

An investigation published by The BMJ in March reveals councils in England face legal pressure from the Stove Industry Association (SIA) as public health campaigns urge homeowners to limit the use of wood-burners. Findings from freedom of information requests, sent to local authority areas identified as having the highest density

By Ushika Kidd