Global reputation for student employability

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 09:50:00 GMT

Middle East academics look to Huddersfield for innovative approaches to student employment

Middle East delegates with Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, Professor Dave Taylor - University of Huddersfield welcomes Middle East academics' careers fact-finding visit

Middle East delegates with the University's Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, Professor Dave Taylor (centre left)

British Council logo - University of Huddersfield welcomes Middle East academics' careers fact-finding visit THE University of Huddersfield’s reputation for ensuring the employability of students has gone global.  A party of distinguished visitors from universities in the Middle East paid a fact-finding visit to learn about the strategies employed to help graduates find jobs.

There were nine leading academics from universities in Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, and the visit was arranged by the British Council.

Stephen Boyd (pictured below), who is Head of the University of Huddersfield’s multi-award-winning Careers and Employability Service, said that the link with the Council had come about because of the University’s growing reputation for innovative approaches to employability.

Stephen Boyd, University of Huddersfield Head of Careers and Employability - University of Huddersfield welcomes Middle East academics' careers fact-finding visit This led to a research project conducted in tandem with the British Council – plus the University of Huddersfield’s School of Education and Professional Development and GPNU University in Guangzhou, China – which explored the skills and competencies expected of new graduates by employers in both China and the UK.  The project earned an award from the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Greeted at the University of Huddersfield by a party of Egyptian students, who provided Middle Eastern snacks, the visitors spent a day touring the campus and discussing the Careers and Employability Service’s innovative approaches.

“They heard about how we engage with students, employers and recruiters and how all courses contain opportunities to experience employment,” said Mr Boyd.

“We very much hope that, through the British Council, our overseas links will continue,” he added.

The party of visitors – including British Council representatives – also met members of staff at the University of Huddersfield’s International Office, plus Professor David Taylor, who is the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, International.

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