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.
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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!