The student occupation got a flavour of international star power today, when world-renowned academic Noam Chomsky lent his name to a statement of support.

Noam Chomsky is the Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is known globally for his work on linguistic theory, as well as for his political writings.

When it emerged earlier today that Professor Chomsky had signed a public petition in support of the occupation, there was scepticism in some quarters, with one student suggesting that someone had falsely signed Professor Chomsky's name.

"It is hard to believe that Noam Chomsky would even know about this," said the student. "Not everyone around the world is plugged into UK student politics."

However, Varsity has confirmed from Professor Chomsky's office that he did indeed convey his support for the student occupation.

Speaking to Varsity, a student taking part in the occupation said, "This is amazing. It really lends a great deal of legitimacy to the occupation, and could possibly be useful in convincing more academics to come out in support of students."

Over 200 academics at the University of Cambridge have expressed support for the occupation so far, in a letter sent to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Leszek Borysiewicz. See the full list of signatories.