Manifesto – Part-time Students’ Officer
Candidate: Paulina Megase
WHO AM I?
My name is Paulina Megase pursuing Masters in Business Administration at the University of Suffolk. I am running for the position of Part-time Students’ Officer. I have noticed and personally experienced that settling in as a part-time student isn’t always easy. As a part-time student myself, I believe a lot more can be done to improve the support available for part-time students to make them feel inclusive even if they are not actively involved in Campus activities.
Experience
- Head of Business Development in AIESEC; a Global not for profit organization that provides young people with leadership development , cross-cultural experiences and exchanges experiences; supervised and advised 20 fundraising groups across 8 Universities in Ghana.
- Founder of EIM learning and development Consult an organization in Ghana that aims to provide out of classroom educational support to students working under the motto of “Everyone deserves access to equal opportunities.
- Member of Toastmasters Hungary.
My Objectives.
To work in partnership with The University of Suffolk and the Students’ Union in order to raise the profile and awareness of Part-time Students. To ensure that both the University and Students’ Union are doing enough to support part-time students and integrate them into the student experience, whilst studying at The University of Suffolk. To be the main voice for all Part-time Students within the forum. If you have any issues or concerns which need raising, be it Inclusion, Welfare, Finances, Study techniques or other matters, I can ensure the correct support is given to you.
How will I do this?
- Firstly, I will work with the University in creating a standardized system across courses prior to their course start date. This will allow Part-time to get to know each other first, adjust to the new culture, and form a community.
- Secondly, I will also work on creating a communication system where part-time students will receive quarterly updates about the university, graduation, programs and opportunities available to them. Also, this communication system will ensure that their voices are heard and prompt feedback sent. This will be done through fostering a supportive and responsive online community platform.
- Finally, I will work with the University in creating an online Networking event for Part-time Students. I believe that studying in the University creates an avenue for students to effectively network but in the case of Part-time students, this is not same as there is no platform to facilitate this. I will work with the University to create quarterly networking events where students can network and also know opportunities available to them. There will also be a "buddy up" scheme whereby students can be paired with another student in their year group.
My desire to run for the post of Part-time Officer is championed by the innate spirit of servant-leadership and making a difference.
If elected as the next Part-time Student Officer, I will do my utmost to make University of Suffolk a desirable place for Part-time Students.