Plymouth Gazette are working with UPSU during this student election cycle to bring the candidates to you in their own words, unedited and unabridged to represent their true personalities and passion. These are Fawziyyah Ahmed’s answers to our questions. Fawziyyah is running for VP Wellbeing and Diversity.
Why are you running for your role?
I have the pleasure of representing students for 8 months now as the current VP Wellbeing and Diversity, I have found myself in a position where I can use my experiences in University as well as empower students to call for a better student experience and I worked on a range of issues and campaign relating to student’s wellbeing and empowerment of underrepresented groups and rent rebates. I passionately believe that a student’s time in University of Plymouth can be better by an active and engaging students union. I believe that more work needs to done.
I believe there really is an opportunity to drive the changes students want, and with a year of experience where I know how the SU and University is run, I am in good position to facilitate that change
What makes you different to the other candidates running?
Being a current officer, I have gained relevant experience needed to drive change within the University and the SU such as teamwork, being able to work with the sabbatical team to represent students and maintain a good working relationship. Not just with the Sabbatical team, I have also built relationships with key staff that will enable to represent students better.
I like to see myself as the face of diversity. I am a black, Muslim woman, I have had lived experiences of being part of an underrepresented group, which puts me in a unique position to be hold the University accountable on the support and experience they provide students. I believe I am proactive and will champion and utilize student voices by calling for their feedback and engagement on a number of topics that students are passionate about.
In what way will you improve the influence of the student voice on the way that the university and SU operates?
By being open and transparent with the students about changes that affect them. When students are given opportunities to discuss and provide feedback on how they want to be supported, it empowers students and allows them to utilize their voices.
By holding forums where students can provide feedback on how they want to be supported by the University, as well as roundtable events where students can have open discussions directly with the University on how they want to be supported. The University has a duty of care to ALL students, so the operation of the SU and the University should be in the best interest of students, so by getting students actively involved on discussions that affect them, the University and the SU will be better informed on how student experience can be improved.
If you could only pass through one of your policies this year, what would it be and why?
I believe all my key policies are very important as these policies are key policies that are aimed at improving the experience of University of Plymouth Students. If I was to choose one, it would be the call for better wellbeing provisions in the University. This year more than ever before, the importance of driving student wellbeing and mental health has never been more evident. Student Wellbeing needs to be a top priority, students need to be provided adequate all round wellbeing support as the University has a duty of care to support ALL students, therefore better wellbeing provisions that is tailored to reflect our diverse student body is needed, so students can feel secure and supported, leading to a better University experience.
What approach are you going to take this year regarding working virtually and in person during your time in office?
I will collaboratively work with the sabbatical team to communicate best practice on how we can support each other in terms of achieving our manifesto goals and how we can support each other as a team as well as ways we can represent students better. I will work to connect students and staff using various mediums such as zoom and use social media to drive social engagement, and use this medium to collate feedback on possible in-person social events if permitted.
Asides communication with my team, communication with students is key. By having open conversations and having an open door policy even though it’s virtual, students will feel better represented by meeting a friendly face.
Do you think there should be more emphasis placed onto students to either get their work and research published in academic journals or to compete representing the university in their sports clubs/societies? Why?
Yes I think that more emphasis COULD be placed on students to work towards getting work published and representing the University in sport clubs/societies, that is if students are wanting to do this. However, I believe that more work emphasis should to be put on creating awareness of what students can get by putting themselves forward for such amazing opportunities. It would be good for students to be aware that by taking part in those opportunities, they could open other great opportunities for themselves such as greater recognition for the students and for the University, greater employability as well as an amazing item to add on a CV.
How will you improve the university services digitally and in person?
I intend to improve the University services both digitally and in person by ensuring that the services are inclusive for all students. This does not just stop at support services but it also includes and is not limited to dietary requirements on campus, events for students and academic support. .We have a very diverse student body thus the services the University offers needs to be inclusive to students regardless of their identity and background
The University has a wide range of services that they have an offer for students. These include the range of support available in the student hub such as the listening post, togetherall, Calm zoom and much more. These services can be of great benefit to students but more awareness needs to be made of these services. As well as creating awareness, the services need to be made more accessible for students, I will lobby the University to make services more accessible, and this could be done by reducing the number of clicks to find a service or changing the way services are branded on the website to a more student-friendly approach
Students can vote from the 26/02 – 05/03 on the UPSU website