Co-Presidents' Update - July & August
Sara
It is hard to believe that six weeks have already passed since I started in my role!. The time has flown by, and while there has been a lot to learn, it has been an exciting and rewarding start.
The biggest highlight has been attending the National Union of Students (NUS) officer training event: Lead and Change. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet other Students' Union Officers from across the country to share experiences and develop new skills. It was inspiring to hear about the different ways that students are represented at other Universities and to bring back ideas that could benefit our own.
I've spent a lot of time in meetings! Getting to know the university colleagues, student representatives, and incredible SU staff team I’ll be working with has helped me build relationships and gain a better understanding of the issues that matter most to you. Everyone has been welcoming, supportive, and passionate about making a difference to students' lives. Learning about their work has given me a real appreciation for everything that happens to support our student community. Another memorable experience was meeting with the SU’s Governing Board, who provide oversight and advice for all our activities. I learned more about different communication styles and reflected on my own approach to ensure I represent students as effectively as possible.
I have also been involved in approving new courses. It has been fascinating to see the work that goes into developing academic programmes and ensuring they provide meaningful opportunities for learning and development. I've also started attending the Appeals Committee, which is an important and super-interesting aspect of the role.
With welcome season fast approaching, I've also been helping pack parcels full of SU merchandise, freebies, and resources for fairs, events, and meet-ups across our campuses. It's been great to play a small part in preparing for the arrival of new and returning students, and I'm looking forward to meeting many of you over the coming weeks.
Looking back, I've already learned so much. From meeting fellow student leaders and developing my leadership skills, to understanding how the University and the SU operate, every experience has helped me grow into the role. I'm very excited for what the year ahead will bring and look forward to continuing to represent your academic interests and make sure your voices are heard. If you see me at an event or hanging around campus please come and say hello - I'd love to meet you and hear about your experience, or anything you would like to share!
Junaid
My first few weeks have been both busy and rewarding, providing valuable opportunities to learn, build relationships and begin working towards meaningful change for our student community.
I have particularly valued the one-to-ones with members of different departments, meeting colleagues such as Employability Director John Watkins, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Success, Diversity and Inclusion Patrick Johnson, PSL at Moorgate Campus Christopher Munro, and colleagues working across Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
Alongside training and team building with my SU colleagues, these discussions have helped me develop a broader understanding of the university and SU structures, as well as the different ways in which we can work together to improve the student experience.
Our three-day team away event at the Birmingham campus was my first opportunity to meet many members of the team in person to hear about their experiences and understand their priorities. A key activity was our annual planning, discussing the events, activities, and priorities that will shape the year ahead. It allowed us to think collectively about how we can strengthen student engagement and ensure that the SU continues to respond effectively to students’ needs.
Alongside Sara, I also travelled to Leeds to take part in NUS Lead and Change. The programme provided a combination of training, development sessions, and group activities. One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to connect with officers from different institutions, sharing experiences, and learning from the challenges and successes they have encountered in their respective roles. We worked closely within groups to create a supportive environment where we could exchange ideas and develop our leadership skills. The programme was an excellent introduction to the wider network of student representatives and reinforced the importance of collaboration beyond our own institution.
Representing students and ensuring that their concerns are heard has been one of my key priorities since taking office. International students have been facing challenges with tuition fees and payments. Meeting directly with senior staff in the finance department, we discussed the concerns you have raised including monthly instalment plans, and the difficulties faced by many when managing their financial commitments. We are now exploring ways in which the university and SU can better understand and respond to these challenges.
I have also been contributing to Academic Development through participation in the Programme Approval Panel for new courses being developed in collaboration with LCCA. Being part of this process gave me valuable insight into how new academic programmes are considered and approved, whilst providing an opportunity to voice a student experience perspective into discussions.
On 13 August, I visited the Moorgate campus to engage with students ahead of the India and Pakistan Independence Day celebrations. I distributed flag badges to students as a small gesture of recognition, support and solidarity. This was a personal and important opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our student community and recognise the different cultures, backgrounds and identities that make our university community so vibrant. Creating spaces where students feel represented, respected and included is an important part of my role.
The following day I returned to Birmingham for the SU Governing Board Away Day where we discussed the future direction and progress of the Students’ Union. We reflected on where we are as an organisation and, importantly, where we want to go next. Strategic conversations such as these are essential to ensuring that the SU remains focused on students and continues to develop in response to their changing needs.
My first weeks have been filled with learning, relationship-building and opportunities to represent students. I have gained a much clearer understanding of the responsibilities and opportunities that come with this role, and I know there is still a great deal of work ahead.
I am grateful to everyone who has welcomed me, shared their experiences and taken the time to meet with me during these first few weeks. I look forward to building on these relationships and working together throughout the year to ensure that students’ voices remain at the heart of our work.
