Press Releases

Reading Uni student is crowned Berkshire and Oxfordshire's Most Enterprising Student

Release Date : 12 September 2007

Michaela Ellison, a 20-year-old University of Reading undergraduate from Fareham, has been crowned Berkshire and Oxfordshire's Most Enterprising Student 2007.

Michaela, who is studying English, took part in the Shell Step and spent the summer developing and raising awareness of Surface View®, a new division within VGL Ltd, a digital printing specialist in Reading.

Every summer, the University of Reading's Knowledge Transfer Centre organises Shell Step placements for students at small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). It matches undergraduates to SMEs with specific development projects, in order to develop the students' workplace skills.

While at the host company, students can put the theory they've learnt at university into practice. The programme culminates with the competition to find the UK's 'Most Enterprising Student'.

Michaela was chosen as the overall winner by a panel of judges. "I'm thrilled to have come this far in a nationally-recognised competition," she said. "I have learned so much this summer, which I am confident will stand me in good stead when I apply for jobs in the future."

Michaela will now go through to the South Of England Final in London on Thursday 13th September where she will face winners from across the South of England. She added: "It's a very exciting opportunity; it will be a great experience to compete at the next level."

Her work during the summer helped VGL identify potential markets, and has secured both initial orders and interest from large corporate customers.

Michael Ayerst, Managing Director of VGL said: "It's a wonderful achievement for Michaela, she's worked very hard this summer and the project has produced some excellent results, we're absolutely delighted."

Susan Matos, the University's Shell Step Manager for Berkshire and Oxfordshire said: "Every year tens of thousands of students in the UK experience the challenge of moving from the world of study to the world of work and Shell Step is a direct response to that. Each year the programme gives students relevant and meaningful experience of the world of work and we wish Michaela all the best in her future career."

Shell Step is a 21st Century placement scheme. Students who take part in the programme are more attractive to future employers and the participating companies report a significant impact on the bottom line.

Ends

For further information about the programme please contact Dr Susan Matos, tel 0118 378 6143 or email s.t.matos@reading.ac.uk

Further information about Shell STEP and the Shell STEP Awards is available at www.step.org.uk

Notes to editors:

Also included in Shell's social investment programme in the UK are:

• Shell Springboard is a programme that provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon business ideas from across the UK. In 2007 Shell Springboard has provided eight awards of up to £40,000. Through Springboard Shell supports those people who through innovative ideas and businesses are trying to seize the commercial opportunities presented by climate change.

• Shell Livewire is a highly valued and well-used source of encouragement and advice for young entrepreneurs. Last year alone some 25,000 entrepreneurs got support and advice from the programme. 220,000 people visited the website.

At the heart of Shell Livewire is a support network which delivers insight and advice. It offers both tailored and general support and helps young entrepreneurs foster useful relationships with others like them - who understand the challenges faced by new businesses and young entrepreneurs.

• Shell Education Service provides a series of unique, interactive physical science workshops to 50,000 young children a year. Workshops are designed to support directly the UK curricula and are run by expert leaders, who travel to hundreds of individual primary schools. There, the teachers watch as the workshops are delivered and take ideas to boost their own science lessons.

The Shell Education Service also organises science days with local communities and supports trainee primary teachers, building their confidence and skills in teaching science. Shell has supported this programme for nearly 40 years, listening to teachers and moving from providing books and posters to today's hands-on expertise.

For University of Reading media enquiries, please contact James Barr, Press Assistant, on 0118 3787115 or email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk