The third annual event, which showcases the strengths and achievements of the sector to the world, will be held from 30 April to 7 May 2012 and will see Universities UK, BUCS and Podium working in partnership to deliver an eight day celebration of Higher Education.

The campaign will incorporate the 2012 Games as an over-arching theme and will highlight many of the diverse ways universities across the UK have engaged with and contributed to London 2012.

Seb Coe, Chair of London 2012, said: “I’m delighted that Universities Week 2012 will be celebrating the Higher Education sector’s engagement with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games is a chance for our nation to showcase our talents, skills, culture and sporting abilities. The Higher Education sector has a vital and diverse role to play in this.

“One of the aims of London 2012 is the delivery of lasting partnerships, so it is great to see organisations coming together to showcase the abilities and achievements of the UK’s students and academic community to the world.”

Professor Geoff Petts, Vice-Chancellor of University of Westminster and Chair of Podium, commented: “Since 2007, Podium has been supporting the UK’s Higher Education sector in engaging with the opportunities created by London 2012.

“Our universities are hosting pre Games training camps for competing nations from all over the world, helping to recruit a Games-time workforce of more than 170,000 people, and leading research related to London 2012 and its legacy. Universities are also delivering a diverse range of 2012-inspired programmes to engage people from all walks of life across the fields of art, culture, education, media and sport.

“Universities Week 2012 offers the perfect opportunity for the Higher Education sector to showcase all of this work to the UK and the wider world, and to demonstrate how universities can further contribute huge benefits to society long after the Olympic and Paralympic Flames have left our shores.”

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive, Universities UK, said: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is also a great way of demonstrating the integral role that our universities are playing in ensuring its success.

“Once again with Universities Week we hope to show that it is not just students who benefit from university, but the whole of the UK society.”

And Karen Rothery, Chief Executive Officer of BUCS, added: “British Universities & Colleges Sport’s vision is to enhance the student experience through sport – what better way could there be than competing in the Olympic stadium itself? And Britain’s students will be able to do just that.

“Sport is taking centre stage in the UK and is enjoying its highest profile for many years. This week is an amazing opportunity for BUCS student athletes, their friends and families and the broader communities to show how their lives are improved by taking part in sport.”

More information about the week will follow in due course via the websites of all three organisations but for now, you can read about the successes of Universities Week 2011.

To read more about how the Further and Higher Education sectors have already contributed to London 2012 visit our Showcase section or download the five different issues of Podium’s Spotlight magazine.

And finally, to read about how students will compete first at the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, click here.