Hard working students making a difference through their extra-curricular activities have gained official recognition through the University of Essex’s Big E Awards.

The awards are part of the University’s efforts to ensure students have the right skills to pursue the careers they aspire to.

The award winners were:

• Peer Support - Daniel Crampton
• Student Employee - Anna Hlavsova
• Frontrunners Placement - Ruxandra Clinciu
• Enterprise - Pranav Sawhney
• Student Activity and Development Award - Genine Sumner
• Work Related Learning - Gifty Quainoo
• Volunteering - Amy Walker

The University is committed to developing the employability of students by providing a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities

To guide this work an Employability Framework has been developed to outline the skills and attributes that help make a person more likely to choose and secure a career they will be satisfied and successful in.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Andy Downton presented the awards at a special reception.

He said: "The Big E Awards are designed to give university recognition to students who have achieved exceptional standards in a particular extra-curricular activity related to our Employability Framework.

"The overall aim is to give students who “go the extra mile” some tangible evidence to display to potential employers."

The Big E Awards ceremony was organised through a partnership between the Research and Enterprise Office, the Careers Centre, Learning and Teaching, Student Support and the Students’ Union.

Prizes were donated by the Academic Section and Santander Universities provided financial support for the event.

The University provides a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities including studying abroad, placements, work experience and volunteering. The development of professional skills is also being built into the curriculum where appropriate.

The Employability Action Group is working to develop further employability initiatives and is looking to establish a system of recognition for student achievement which aligns with national proposals for a Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR).

If you need any further information please contact the University of Essex Communications Office on 01206 873529.