Wednesday 08-04-2020 - 13:53

Wirtten by Anas Badar, MDXSU President 

 

First of all I would like to say I hope everyone’s doing well and keeping themselves safe. This blog is to update you with the work I’ve been doing this year so far as the President of Middlesex Students’ Union. 

 

I began the role in July, mainly going to conferences in different cities around UK to get knowledge of the role as a President of a Students’ Union and understand the different methods of helping our students with their issues and concerns to then find a solution. This conferences are also great to network with people from different SU’s all around the UK and share thoughts and ideas. 

 

A top priority for myself and the SU over the summer, was implementing our first ever partnership agreement between Middlesex University and Middlesex Students’ Union, where both organisations are committed to support all students to achieve their full potential.  

 

The partnership agreement focused on three main topics which were: 

• Mental Health 
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Access to Education 

 

As a student I had to commute to university nearly every weekday, which takes me around 2 hours each way.  I relate to commuter students' struggles which is one of the reasons the commuter student campaign was one of my priorities. I’ve worked alongside the university to make sure: 

• Banning the 10 minute rule was accepted as one of our policies. This meant students will no longer be turned away from their lesson because of a failure on the Northern line, something they were not able to control, for example.
• Cutting down unnecessary paper submissions. Students no longer need to physically be on campus to submit an assessment which could have been done digitally. Practical assessments are exempt from this. 
• Lecturers are more aware of the number of commuter students in Middlesex, introduced or increased the options of digitally office hours, where students and lecturers could use systems such as Skype to have 1-1 sessions. 

 

I can relate to many International student, because I was one too. I’ve struggled to understand my lecturers in class which made difficult trying to take notes in class, I’ve struggled not knowing where to go or who to talk to about International problems, such as Brexit. That is why I’ve made sure to make International students a priority. 

 

I’ve worked closely with the university looking and improving at the services and opportunities we offer. Due to the Brexit situation many EU students were worried about their future at Middlesex, by increasing the awareness to all students and staff members of the services offered online and on the ground, we were able to make sure every student has somewhere to turn to, which includes services such as: 

• The legal Advice Centre: Free advice for all members of the MDX community. 
• The Student Support and Wellbeing services which can offer counselling. 
• The SU Advice team who can provide advice and support. 
• Online information and guidance on the dedicated Brexit page on UniHub. 

 

Allianz Park has been neglected for many years, with students feeling left out and not having the full Middlesex experience. I’ve worked this year to make sure every student has the same opportunities no matter whether you are based at Allianz park or Hendon campus.

• We began prioritising the shuttle bus from the MDX campus to Allianz Park, make sure students no longer need to walk 20 minutes from one campus to another through a non-accessible route. The shuttle bus started running on the 12th of November 2019. 
• Other issues concerning the Wi-Fi not being able to reach all floors of Allianz Park was also raised and solved, making it more accessible to every student. 
• I have also been involved in the development of the West Stand in Allianz Park making sure the views of students are being brought forward; all the way through the planning and development of the new building at Allianz. We have also come to an agreement of creating a prayer room space for students to practice their faith once the building is finalised. 

 

During this year I have also worked with Chartwells, the catering company in charge of the food in campus, to ensure the student voice is heard and implemented from the beginning of the new contract. 

• Making sure students have a more variety of food such as vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal to a price which our students are able to afford. 
• Ensuring the student voice is represented during the renovation of MDX House, offering a better environment for students to relax and unwind. 

 

I have also worked to close the BAME Attainment gap in our university. 

•  One step to do so was introducing Anonymous marking and accepting it as a policy, which will be implemented across all courses where possible from 2020/2021. 
• Also increasing communication between lecturers and students making sure they are aware of their assessment going through a second marker and ensuring fairness on their grades. 

 

This year the university had to recruit a new Vice-Chancellor. I’ve been through every step of the recruitment process and ensuring the voice of our student body is at the heart of the recruitment. It has been a pleasure working James Kennedy while in the role of Interim Vice-Chancellor, and very pleased to have welcomed Professor Nic Beech to our University and talk about the great work we will be doing together in light of providing our students with an overall greater student experience.

 

One of the roles that also comes with being a President is also being a Student Governor, which is the highest board within the University that carries the ultimate responsibility for the University’s overall strategic direction, management of finances, property and affairs generally, Including your Student Experience here.  

 

Myself and the team presented the Partnership Agreement between the University and the Students’ Union, tackling issues such as Mental Health, Diversity and Inclusion and Access to education at the Board of Governors. On the very same day of the meeting the Governers have agreed to add another student member to the board, making it two student governors, ensuring the voice of our student body being always heard. 

 

On Academic Board, the second highest board in University, we have also been able to gain a second student representative to go alongside the President. Making sure the issues and concerns brought to us by our students are addressed. 

 

Currently I’m working on ensuring our students are able to access to every possible resource online, in order to give every student a chance to achieve their full potential. Also making sure lecturers are aware of the difficult circumstances many of our students are going through right now and make this a priority once grading their work. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read through this, if you have any questions or would like to talk to me about anything, please contact me in any of my social media accounts or send me an email.