Event concept and production by Holland Alexander

Issued by University of Leicester Press Office

Issue date: 6 July 2012

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER LEADS THE WAY AT GRADUATE RECRUITMENT CONFERENCE

Director of Careers Bob Athwal spearheads “University Juice” event this weekend

The University of Leicester has led a consortium of universities in creating the opening event at the Association for Graduate Recruitment National Conference taking place at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport taking place from 8th to 10th July 2012.

For the first time in its history, the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) will open its National Conference with “University Juice”, an interactive sector based quiz inspired by TV’s “Celebrity Juice”.

Led by Bob Athwal, Director of Careers Service at the University of Leicester “University Juice” is bought to the conference thanks to careers service departments from nine of the country’s leading universities.

The University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, Cardiff University, University of Exeter, Leeds University, LSE, Newcastle University and the University of Nottingham have all contributed towards creating a truly energising and entertaining start to the conference that promises its 300 delegates a few surprises!

As well as good fun, graduate recruiters from across the country will also be competing for the chance to award £750 to a SIFE organisation of their choice – providing a great opportunity to contribute to an enterprising organisation in the UK.

AGR Chief Executive, Carl Gilleard said of the pioneering move: “We are delighted that the nine universities have chosen to endorse the AGR conference by hosting a novel opening to the event on the Sunday evening.

“It shows the close alliance between our employer and university members. It is sure to be a successful night and I hope it might become a regular feature at the largest and most important event in the graduate recruitment calendar.”

Bob Athwal said: “Although we’ve taken a light-hearted approach, our work with the AGR builds on the recommendations that came out of the Wilson Review and a commitment to collaborating with employers. University Juice is something different, but we think it’s important to do this to keep employers engaged.

“The institutions involved also get the chance to showcase the contribution that universities make more broadly; one of our questions for example mentions that work we’ve done at Leicester turning eggshells into useable materials.

“A university presence at the conference also helps us understand the challenges employers face and, more importantly, what we can do to help students prepare for life after their studies. As many in the sector know, employers don’t just want good graduates, they want graduates that have an extra dimension. Working with the AGR is just one way of making sure that’s what we deliver.”

Ends

Notes to editors: The Co-Sponsors of the University Juice event AGR Conference 2012 were the University of Leicester, the University of Birmingham, the University of Bristol, Cardiff University, the University of Exeter, the University of Leeds, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Newcastle University and the University of Nottingham.

The University of Leicester Careers Service offers a wide range of engagement activities to enhance the employability skills and prospects of students. These include careers fairs, skills workshops, The Leicester Award and a diverse range of activities based with the academic Colleges.

Founded in 1968, AGR, the Association of Graduate Recruiters, is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting employers in all aspects of graduate recruitment.

For further information and images please contact:

Rajesh Patel

Employer Liaison Manager

Careers Service

University of Leicester

Tel: 0116 252 5117

Email: rp295@le.ac.uk

Louise Holland

Managing Director

Holland Alexander – the event producers

Tel: 0795 141 6845

Email: louise@hollandalexander.com

Press Office Contact:

Ather Mirza

Press Office

Division of Corporate Affairs and Planning

University of Leicester

tel: 0116 252 3335

email: pressoffice@le.ac.uk

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