Introduction

My name is Akua Serwaa Agyeman and I am the current Vice President for Education at the Students’ Union seeking re-election to serve in the same role. I would like to thank you all for believing in me and giving me the mandate this past year to represent your education needs.

What are your three priorities for the year?

I am here this time round to solicit for your support and votes to secure a second term and finish up a few things left. I will strive to achieve the following;

• Equitable Experience for all students: Among other things, students who come in to begin their studies in January require support to be able to do so. I hope to get them what they deserve.
• Student Laptop Scheme The aim is to create a scheme for students who may be in need of laptops at any point of their studies to conveniently borrow laptops just as they borrow books.
• Reduction of Academic Offences: The policy is to carefully investigate the whys and hows to liaise with the University on cutting down the increasing numbers of academic cases.

What unique skill/knowledge can you bring to the role to stand out from the other candidates? 

Let me quickly give you a recap of what I have worked on in my first term;

• Feedback form: Students are now able to send in their thoughts and concerns about their courses, its delivery, and any other information for immediate actions to be taken for the necessary changes to be made whiles the studies are ongoing.
• Class rep system: I have continued to improve the channels of communication between the students’ body and the University through our class rep system. I have empowered them to be a vocal and useful tool for engagement and change alongside the School Conveners through regular catch ups.
• Games Night: I have been hosting monthly games night for students. And this social event was implemented for students to have some fun and be able to speak to me about whatever educational issues they had. Through this, I was able to signpost students to the appropriate quarters when it came to issues outside my remit.
• Inclusion: I have been able to actively engage our mates from Qatar in Student Union discussions and have started making arrangements for future online events.
• Academic Issues: I have been assisting students when they faced academic disciplinary committee for individual cases and continue to work towards reducing the volume of academic offences drastically.
• External Recognitions: I have external duties as well that came along the line by virtue of how I carry out what I do internally. I serve as National Union of Students (NUS) Representative on both the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee (SHEEC) and the Quality Arrangements for Scottish Higher Education where I represent you outside the University.

What do you think is the biggest issue that students are facing at the moment and how do you plan to tackle it? 

The impact of UCU/Lecturers Strikes. I hope to fight for students’ education to be protected amidst these difficult times.

Upon articulating my plans for the next year to you, I hope I can count on your support and votes to continue bettering your academic lives.