Black and ethnic students at UEL are promised an improved start in taking the businees career path with the opening this week of a dedicated support centre.

The initiative comes at a time when one in four young Londoners are unemployed and nearly one in two black and Pakistani young people are without work

The Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity in Business was officially opened yesterday, Tuesday, by entrepreneur and successful businessman, Baron Gulam Noon.

He has founded and operated a number of food product companies specialising in Indian cuisine. His main business has been Noon Products, which he established in September 1987, manufacturing chilled and frozen ready meals, predominantly for UK supermarkets.

He was awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of East London in 2009.

UEL say that given the fiercely competitive nature of London’s business sector, major employers are now placing huge demands on graduates to not only sell their academic ability; but also their ability to present and network effectively.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that BME students often find this the most challenging and daunting part of an interview panel.

The centre will be run by UEL’s Royal Docks Business School, atr its Docklands Campus and will aim to help BME students reach their potential in the world of business and increase their employability opportunities. It will also provide a service to businesses and forge strong links with the community through consultancy and executive education and training.