UOW to host national graduate careers conference
30 Nov 2007 | Renee Criddle
Over 150 delegates from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will visit the University of Wollongong next week (2 – 5 December) to attend the annual conference of the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (NAGCAS).
Delegates from university careers services across the country as well as academics and representatives from business, service industry and government will participate in the event, which will focus on the themes of employability, work integrated learning, international students’ employment aspirations, global skills issues and professional practices.
“The conference will be a great opportunity for participants to gain insights into good practice connected to a variety of themes which resonate with a contemporary university in a global environment,” said Conference Convener and Manager of UOW’s Careers Service, Martin Smith. “Australian higher education institutions compete on the national and international stage. Responding to the career aspirations of the students and the expectations of business, industry and government necessitates that the modern university provides innovative, effective and high quality career development learning.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, will present the official welcome at the conference on Monday 3 December which will be followed by a key note address from Chief Executive Officer of Universities Australia, Dr Glenn Withers, who will share with delegates the first discussion paper released by Universities Australia – a ‘national internship scheme’ which outlines recommendations for co-ordinated approaches to give students options to put their knowledge to work in real workplace contexts.
CEO of Graduate Careers Australia, Cindy Tilbrook, will also attend the conference to present the findings of the ‘University and Beyond’ student survey based upon over 32,000 responses from current university students, making it the largest national study of its kind ever conducted in Australia. The conference will also discuss current challenges for the careers service sector.
“Our graduates will enter labour markets where global options and skills shortages in key industry sectors are prevalent, and where individual graduate recruiting organisations have high expectations that graduates will have the right mix of knowledge and theory, practical workplace experiences and personal transferable skills. In essence – to be work ready,” said Mr Smith.
When: Monday 3 December – Wednesday 5 December Where: McKinnon Building 67, Theatre 104
Media please note: Photo/filming opportunities will be available at 11.30am on Monday following the keynote address
For further information: Contact Martin Smith on (02) 4221 3324 or 0409 319 462 (mob) or visit: www.uow.edu.au/conferences/NAGCAS2007/index.html
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