VP Education - Update

It seems that every time I sit down to write one of these blogs, I had just written the previous one yesterday! From international week, to speak week, to the November intake and inductions, this month (per usual) has been jammed packed!  

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November Inductions:  

November began with an exciting start as Imran, Adam, and I had the pleasure of welcoming a fantastic new cohort of students primarily enrolled in business courses and MBA programmes. This event was enriched by the presence of our university colleagues from Southlands, the Wellbeing Team, Chaplaincy, and many others. 

Throughout the year, our dedicated sabbatical officer team has been actively participating in all induction sessions across the university. Our goal is to ensure that every student at Roehampton is introduced to the remarkable opportunities available through the Roehampton Students' Union (RSU). From engaging societies to providing unbiased, free, and confidential advice, as well as organizing fantastic events, we believe that every student—regardless of when they join—should have equal access to discover everything that the RSU has to offer. 

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RSU Speak Week:  

The second week of the month was devoted to Speak Week, an annual campaign designed to empower students to voice their feedback about their academic programmes. This week provides a valuable opportunity for students to share their thoughts on university life, suggest improvements, and highlight both the strengths and challenges of their overall experience at Roehampton.  

During Speak Week, we proudly launched our new Digital Rep tool—an online platform that allows you to share your feedback on the aspects of your academic journey that matter most to you. Your comments are directed straight to your Subject Area Representatives and School Reps, who will use this information to advocate on your behalf within the schools. 

Throughout the week, we hosted pop-up events across all four colleges to encourage students to engage with the Digital Rep system and encourage conversations about their university experiences. By the end of the week, we received an impressive 363 responses through the Digital Rep Platform and connected with hundreds of students in person. Our dedicated team is now hard at work analysing this feedback to implement the changes you want to see on campus. 

 

 

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International Week:  

The third week of the month was marked by our annual International Week, organized by the Study Abroad team. During this vibrant week, Adam, Imran, and I participated in Study Abroad pop-up events across all four colleges, encouraging students to consider studying abroad for one of their terms. These pop-ups featured engaging games, essential information about studying abroad, and on-site advisors ready to answer any questions students might have. 

I also had the pleasure of hosting an International Fun and Games Event alongside our fantastic College Community Leaders (CCLs) in Southlands. It was a delightful day where students from diverse nationalities came together to celebrate their unique backgrounds while enjoying games from around the world. This event truly highlighted the spirit of unity and cultural exchange that defines our university community. 

 

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White Ribbon Day:  

The final week of November was marked by White Ribbon Day; This day is observed on November 25th each year, marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This global campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about violence against women and girls and promoting efforts to eliminate it. 

The Roehampton Students' Union (RSU) hosted a pop up in the library dedicated to White Ribbon Day, featuring two remarkable individuals: Kira Evans, the Wandsworth Council's Lead for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and Rachael Cumberbatch, the Roehampton University Community Police officer. The pop-ups core mission was to raise awareness about gender-based violence and encourage male students to take a meaningful stand. Our male students were invited to make a powerful pledge—committing to never remain silent, excuse, or perpetrate violence against women. 

 

This impactful event took place the day before the annual White Ribbon Torch Walk at Roehampton, a moving commemoration that honored the lives of women lost to male violence in England and Wales since the start of 2024. The event was further elevated by a compelling speech from the Mayor of Wandsworth, creating a profound and emotional atmosphere that underscored the critical importance of combating violence against women. 

By bringing together community leaders, university representatives, and students, the RSU demonstrated its commitment to encouraging a culture of respect, equality, and safety for all. 

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Education Forum:  

In the final week of the month, I had the privilege of hosting our first Education Forum. This gathering provided a valuable opportunity for our dedicated School Representatives and Subject Area Representatives to come together and discuss key issues affecting students across various schools.  

During this forum, we focused on critical topics such as mental health and wellbeing, assessment and feedback, as well as the quality of teaching and learning resources. The insights and feedback we received were incredibly valuable and will play a crucial role in suggesting meaningful changes to the relevant schools. 

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In addition to my regular activities, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in several engaging events: 

Leading Well with Cool Insight: Hosted at Westminster's Students' Union, this event brought together Sabbatical Officers from across London to discuss pressing issues affecting students in the area. We had the privilege of hearing insights from former Sabbatical Officers from both the Birmingham Guild of Students and Westminster's Students' Union, enriching our understanding of the challenges and opportunities in student leadership. 

Wandsworth Citizens & Be-Well Event: I co-chaired an inspiring event in collaboration with Citizens UK, which attracted over 150 residents of Wandsworth. Together, we engaged in meaningful discussions about critical topics such as housing, mental health, employment, and fair wages. This event was not only motivating but also provided an excellent platform for connecting with local organizations dedicated to addressing these important issues. 

 

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Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible efforts of Adam Fewster, our VP Welfare, during Movember, also known as Men's Mental Health Month. His dedication to raising awareness about men's mental health has been truly inspiring. From organizing and participating in a twelve-hour walkathon to successfully raising over £1,000 for the cause, Adam's contributions have made a significant impact. I cannot express enough how outstanding his work has been in promoting this vital issue!