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UEL graduates survey exciting future at Innovation and Success alumni event

Monday 7 April 2008

Over a hundred University of East London (UEL) students and graduates attended a special Innovation and Success alumni event at the UEL Docklands campus on Thursday 3 April.

The event featured informal presentations, information and networking aimed at increasing awareness of career opportunities in east London and beyond. James Kavanagh, a UEL Surveying graduate who now works as Director of the Land Group at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, delivered the evening’s keynote speech.

James has worked on some of the largest engineering projects in Europe, including Canary Wharf and Broadgate, and spent several years mapping refugee camps in the Middle East whilst working for the United Nations.

He said: “Wherever I’ve worked across the globe, I’ve always bumped into former University of East London students who are now succeeding in a wide variety of fields.

“I found UEL a very warm and welcoming environment, where the staff always encouraged me to develop a positive attitude and make the most of my talents. It's no surprise to see so many graduates doing well in the world of work.”

Other speakers included Ian Bathgate and Professor Sonny Nwankwo of UEL’s Business School and Elisabeth Rodgers, of Elisabeth Rodgers Resourcing Ltd, who offered advice on interview skills.

Elisabeth said: “Interviews are a great opportunity to talk about yourself, your achievements and your aspirations. Enjoy them, don’t endure them. With the right attitude and the right approach, you can be whatever you want to be.”

Fariba Salehi-Kellaway, Head of Development and Alumni at UEL, said: “This event was an inspiring occasion full of useful insights into how to succeed in life after university. As always, it was a great opportunity for our graduates to find out more about the benefits they can still receive from their old university, as well as to network with fellow alumni, make new friends and socialise with old class colleagues.”

The UEL Alumni Network is a service for all students and staff, both past and present. The Network now includes more than 20,000 members worldwide, offering opportunities for communication, friendship and involvement.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

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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