Release Date 30 October 2012

Some of the region's ‘number ones' and leading organisations have joined the University of Reading (UoR) in celebrating what makes the region a hit with residents, industry and students.

BBC Radio Berkshire, Reading Football Club, Reading CIC, and the new Heart of Berkshire Hospitality Association joined the University of Reading to help launch its new ‘1%' campaign. The campaign celebrates the University's recent ranking among the top 1% of the world's universities by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2012.

University of Reading Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell said: "Being the Vice-Chancellor of an institution in the top 1% of universities worldwide, is a matter of great pride to me personally. It is also a huge advantage for the town and the wider Thames Valley region.

"I was delighted to celebrate our top global ranking with some of Reading's leading organisations that help make this such a great place to live, work and study. It was an opportunity to exchange ideas about how best we can all contribute to the region's growing success and reputation."

Sir John Madejski, University of Reading Chancellor and chair of Premiership football club Reading FC said: "I feel very honoured to be the Chancellor of the University of Reading, one of the most outstanding universities in the world. The more we can tell everyone in the area about the University and what it does, then the more the feel good factor can spread which is good for everyone - good for commerce and good for the people that that live here."

Other top leaders celebrating the news included David Cook, Interim Executive Director of Reading CIC, who represented Reading being voted top micro city in Europe in a Financial Times report. Cook said: "The University is really important in its contribution to the area, because people come to the university to study but they are also part of the town. It's part of my job in Reading CIC to bring the University, students and the town closer together."

Duncan Mclarty, Deputy Editor of BBC Radio Berkshire, named Radio Station of the year at the Frank Gillard Awards said: "The University of Reading brings so much to the area, such as employment, and culturally it's really significant - the University's museums, the art department, the film school - it's a real centre of Reading's cultural life. Student population is so important to Reading. It brings real life and vibrancy to the town. The University's Departments are at the cutting-edge of what they do and that needs to be celebrated more."

Jacqui McMillan, Chair of the first Heart of Berkshire Hospitality Association, said: "The University brings to the region a wealth of experience with its students, and by being one of the top 1% of Universities in the world it raises the profile of Reading as a town. It's a great accolade and the town should be shouting about it."

The University of Reading has celebrated its top 1% ranking by creating a new marketing campaign. Banners bearing the 1% message greeted around 7,000 prospective students and their parents at last Saturday's open day, and advertising will also feature around the town, on buses, at Reading Station and at Heathrow Airport.

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell said "Today marks the beginning of a new campaign to help us attract the very best students. Our top 1% ranking makes us a very attractive choice, helping us to attract both UK and overseas students who want to come to a world-leading institution. It will build on our international reputation to attract even more business, funding and leading experts from around the world."

ENDS

For all media enquiries please contact Donna Sibley, University of Reading Media and PR Officer on 0118 378 7388 or by email on d.l.sibley@reading.ac.uk

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Notes to editors:

The new campaign highlights a series of firsts about university, including:

• First international student arrived 1904

• Voted first for university campus (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey named itthe best on-campus environment in the UK. Voted one of the best open spaces in the UK and awarded the prestigious Green Flag in 2011)

• Voted first for studying agriculture (UK's Guardian University Guide 2012 awarded it 100%)

• Voted first for MBA student quality and potential to network (The Economist Which MBA? World rankings 2012)

• Ranked in the top 1% Student Unions in the UK