re: question time debate

Folks,

I am back here after a long absence. I’ll try my best to keep you updated with the events taking place in union.
Anyway, let’s get back to the point. On Friday the 12nd of February, Question time debate took place in quayside. We invited all the parliamentary candidates from three mainstream parties: Labour, conservatives and Lib-Dems. On our panel, we also had Andrew cooper who is a councillor from Newsom ward and represents the Green party. And of course, we had Wes Streeting President of the National Union of Students’.
The aim of the debate was to find out about their policies –especially on Education- if they get elected. Despite the low turnout from the students, the debate it self went really well. In fact, on few occasions, it reminded me of the ‘Question time’ in parliament. At times, it got a bit heated between the panel members. Our very own, Barry Sheerman MP, was as usual very vocal and challenging. He just kept going on about on his old mantra of HE should be a scapegoat for the secondary education. It will be worth mentioning his comment he made about students for their campaign on HE last year and called them ‘Lazy’. which, of course, upset students all over the UK.
The range of the questions which were put by audience were, by and large, relating to the HE. Some of the students from the audience asked some other non-educational questions to panel and their party policy lines on that and I must admit that Barry Handled the question quite cleverly. Although I don’t agree with what he says sometimes; but I must admit that he comes across a very rusty politician.
And by listening to the views of all the parliamentary candidates, it sounds to be a tough Election for all the parties and these candidates. Students vote is going to be a very decisive one at the upcoming general elections.
I am not sure that many of you would be aware of Wes Streeting. He is president of NUS and has been in the student movement for past 5 years. He is one the most eloquent speaker I have come across in the student politics. His views comes across very valid and rational. Many serious political critics and pundits have already started wondering: whether they have discovered the future Prime Minister of UK.
The overall impression of the debate was very good and it has been shared by many other attendees. It will be highly unfair for not to mention the contribution which has been made by media and journalism students from Oldham. Professor Mark Handscumb has been very kind to as ever and brought his students to this debate so that it could get filmed. And big thanks to all the executive officers, especially to Haneef Rashid because it was his initiative and he is a very good finisher as we all know.

I hear these comments every now and again: ‘our students’ union is not active’,’ what students’ union has done for us’ and etc.
I tell you why we are not active union?

Students have lost the interest in student activism and they have lost touch with student movement. Students’ want quick fixes without making any effort. Students don’t want to get involve so therefore, the bunch of people gets elected as - sabbatical officer- doesn’t have the passion to stand for students.

The student movement which was, once upon a time, famous for its demonstrations, activism and passion has become more of tick box exercise. And who is responsible for this is no one other than ‘students’.
If you ask somebody of our father’s generation, who would have studied in 60’s and 70’s in Universities. They will tell you the stories of the ‘golden era of student activism’. At several occasions, I heard the stories of our academics involvement into the student unions of their universities. They have told me the stories of demonstrations that they have been a part of. They get very excited when they are telling you about their involvement. They are very proud of their connection with the student movement at that time.

But when I look at the students of our age, I wonder whether we don’t get involve because we don’t need any unionism. Perhaps we don’t get involve because we have got very little problems than our older generation. May be, we are living in an age of computers and technology so facebook can do the ‘activism’ bit for us. I just wonder for a moment.
But then after making a comparison, I realise that this is not right. Students are sinking very deeply in the quagmire of problems.
Students are in more trouble than ever before. The expected Government decision on tuition fees can jeopardise future of hundreds and thousands of HE students. At a time, when far right organisation - fascist organisation- is rocking every major city by holding demos’ and humiliating the ethnic minorities. Where student finance England is mocking empty pocket students by calling the students fiasco – a reasonable situation. Whereby students have got fewer job after getting a degree. We definitely need to be more pro-active than ever before. We certainly need to united and shun apathy by participating in Union. We need to bring back that Old school Unionism, where it was students use to feel proud to be part of the students’ union.

Therefore, I am calling the University of Huddersfield students to come forward and get involve.

Next Monday on 26th of October at 12 pm, we have got the ‘Annual General Meeting’ or AGM precisely. It will be held in quayside which is next to café 3rd. The AGM provides you with an opportunity to ask questions about the money that we have and how are we going to spend it next year. It is an area of great interest for members of sports clubs and societies. Also we are going to have debate on various issues: such as ‘tuition fees’, ‘anonymous marking’ and ‘current situation with student finance’.
Ask questions to the sabbatical officers about their performance so far and their plans for the near future.
Get your voice heard by turning up and asking questions.

Please come forward and get involve so that students can prove that they are active not passive.

Moreover, By-elections are starting from 2nd of November and it will last till 5th of November. Again, look out for the active candidates. Candidates who put their personal interests, personal affiliations and factional politics behind, and put students first. Candidates who have got courage and capability to stand up for students and rather than talking the talk, they should have an ability to walk with their talk.

Visit our website www.huddersfieldstudent.com for more information or drop me an email on su-president@hud.ac.uk .

In peace and unity

Helping students by screwing them over

I did not have any intention -whatsoever- to write anything on Tuition fees today. But I cannot control my fingers from running on key board and come up with something loud and clear. What really led me to write this was the outrageous news I have just read on the BBC where the director of CBI (confederation of British Industry) is suggesting helping graduates by raising the tuition fees.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8263672.stm.
My first response to that was: What a hypocrite! Secondly that shows that how vulnerable students are. The government is chasing students with big drilling machines to drill deep into students' pockets. Less graduate jobs- due to melting economy, delay in student loans, rising costs of living, few part time jobs and what else?? And on top of this when these half baked, pseudo philosophers emerge on scene to come up with such catastrophic ideas; they are effectively suggesting students to go from one abyss to another.
No matter how many models, case studies and quick fixes people come up with, students will not accept any rise in the current tuition fees. Coming to University is not a privilege should be provided to all those individuals who are capable of going to University.
If Government is sincere with students, then they should bail out education sector rather than Banks.
University of Huddersfield students' union is launching a big campaign on 'Tuition fees' starting on 5th of October and finishes on 9th. On 9th of October, in the afternoon, we will be holding a debate on the future of tuition fees'. Please come to participate.
For more information check www.huddersfieldstudent.com

Fresher's 09/10

A very good Morning to all

Well today is 21st of September and as you know; Fresher's week kick-starts today. After a very cumbersome and tedious summer, we have finally got to Fresher's. You might be excited because its start of a new academic year or perhaps beginning of a new life. But I am excited because I have got so many exhilarating things ahead. And this is the starting point to meet and greet new and returning students. As I just came to work today, the Marquees has been put outside and for the first time; the freshers' will be held on campus-Which to be honest is a very good idea so that students won't to walk all to the way to sports hall.
There will be a whole range for activities happening over the week so just keep you updated through our website.
.
http://www.huddersfieldstudent.com/freshers09

My sabbatical team and I are busy all week at the freshers and the induction talks. So don't be surprised, if we turn up to your class to give you a long talk about the 1 million benefits of the students' Union.
One last thing - please make sure that you spend most of your time in understanding the University and things that matters you most. If you are living away from home that you need to understand your contract and terms of conditions terms conditions. You will be provided a handbook of regulations by University which contains one of the most boring stuff ever written in the human history and its nothing like those 145 freebies you have collected so far. But that book believe or not carries the most critical and crucial information about the University. Do read it and if you don't understand and you won't understand at the moment and time. But ask questions to myself or your tutors or your personal tutors. But down through in the bin. On the same note, get yourself familiarise with the terminologies such as Personal tutor, course rep, academic skills tutor, plagiarism and its consequences, your course outline and Timetable, names of the rooms and other important nitty-gritty bits. Because earlier you learn and understand it, the better you are.
Enjoy yourself and stay out of trouble
In peace and Unity!!

Junaid Ejaz :)

Change Academy 2009 East wood Hall Nottingham

I have been away from 8th till 11th September for Change Academy at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham. I was accompanied by Prof.Time Thornton, Kathy sherlock head of registry, Prof. Mike russ from school of Music and Humanities, Dr Cath elise, Dr. Rupert Ward and Penny mccabeth from school of arts and desgin. Change Academy is organised through a partnership between the Higher Education Academy and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education. It is a year-long programme of support for teams from higher education institutions that enables them to develop the knowledge, capacity and enthusiasm for achieving complex institutional change. It provides unique opportunities for team-based learning and professional development that focus on the strategic interests and needs of the participating institution (FROM www.heacademy.ac.uk).
The University of Huddersfield theme was 'Assessment and Feedback'. As it is evident from the NSS survey, Feedback and assessment is an area of great concern for Universities across the board. According to NSS survey, the university of Huddersfield Students' response of Assessment and feedback was above the national average. Which I think shows the amount of effort our University SMT has put into it. But having said this, There needs to be a significant improvement into it. Our very own passionate and energetic VP education ran a campaign on 'Assessment and feedback', The University has listened to our view point and now tutors will have to return the course work with feedback within three weeks. Moreover, since Prof. Tim Thornton has taken over as the Pro- Vice Chancellor Teaching and Learning, he is very keen on improving the quality of teaching and Learning.
As part of that process, University has taken some really good initiatives and one of the things which is worthwhile mentions here is: University Values student opinion a lot when its comes down to the academic issues.
Over the course of 4 days at change academy, we have come up with a draft strategy which will be launched for consultation with the academics and staff.
The key points of this strategy are to make 'Feedback and assessment' relevant, timely and perosnal and I think this would be a great interest for students.
If you have anything to say about the way you get your feedback on your work; please get in touch with me at su-president@hud.ac.uk.

I hope you enjoy this year.
Good luck!

re: An update from the President

Folks, Friends, colleagues and peers

I am writing my second blog, just to give you an update about the students' union.
Well, before I could say anything, the Students' Union refurbishment is going at very fast pace. And I am talking that from my own experience, because I have been chucked out my own office, and I am working on some one else's desk. Well I don't mind really as long as I stay in touch with outside big wide world.
Right. We have been on different training courses and Its worthwhile mentioning the course we have been this week. It was about 'speaking with Public Impact'. It was very effective and inspiring. Our training gave us some 'tips' to allure and entice you.(joke)
I had meeting Pro Vice Chancellor teaching and Learning Professor Tim Thornton and Its part of our regular monthly meetings. We discussed our plans for the coming year and I think it is very crucial to work closely with the University. Its worth mentioning here that University senior managemnet team has been listening our feedback very actively and I hope that we'll have a great working relation ship with the University.
We have finalised our plans for the 1st term and All we need is- just deliver it. We have planned four campaigns for the year initially : Keep the cap, Anonymous marking, Housing and Students in the community. Of course, that's not everything. If you want us to raise any issue which needs to be addressed- and needs to addressed by campaigns or any other method: please let us know as we are very keen on listening to our fellow students.
Our main aim for this year to make Students' Union your voice and at the same time providing you with a good socialising space on campus.

I think thats it for now.

Stay in Unity and Peace

Muhammad Junaid Ejaz

August 13th,2009

Folks and peers
This is my very first blog as President of University of Huddersfield students' union. I am very excited about writing a blog as I want to use more interacting tools to stay in touch with you guys. We have a lots of campaigns and events in coming year and hopefully, you would have a very exciting year. We are currently closed due to the refurbishment and we'll open in a month time. But don't worry, the sabbatical team are having their busiest time of the year as we are planning and training for the year ahead.
Should you have any issues or concerns, all you have to do is drop an email or line.
I wish you all the best for next year and enjoy rest of the summer.

Muhammad Junaid Ejaz
President of the University of Huddersfield Students' Union 09/10
su-president@hud.ac.uk
01484 475318