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UEL’s Knowledge Dock stays a Step ahead to win Shell Award second year running

Wednesday 27 September 2006

Knowledge Dock, the University of East London’s enterprise development and support service, was named ‘Shell Step Agency of the Year for London & South East’ for the second year running at the Shell Step regional finals held at Shell’s UK headquarters on 20th September.

This summer, 30 undergraduates from across the UK spent eight weeks researching, developing and delivering business and technical projects for enterprises across East London.

Shell Step is the UK’s leading creator of tailored work placement programmes that match bright, intelligent young undergraduates to specific business projects for small to medium sized businesses and community organisations.

Gareth Lewis, Enterprise Services Manager at Knowledge Dock, said: “I’m thrilled to win the award. The fact that this is the second year running that UEL has won this award makes it even more special.

“Shell Step is a fantastic programme for both SMEs and undergraduates alike. For companies the programme provides an excellent vehicle to obtain specialist knowledge on a short-term basis, and those projects that they don’t necessarily have the time or expertise to address.

“Undergraduates they get the opportunity to work in a company where they can apply the knowledge and skills they have learnt from their studies into a real work environment. More importantly, they gain valuable work experience which will help bolster their CVs and career prospects.”

The event also brought together all the winners and runners-up from the local finals held in early September. Patrick Hazard, winner of the East London local final, came second in the regional final.

Knowledge Dock, UEL’s enterprise development and support service which runs the programme, also won the prestigious award of ‘Best New Shell Step Agency in 2003’.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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