A note from your Students' Union President Zuleikha:

 

Hello there!

This year the Elected Officers have been working closely with the University on one of our key Union Priorities - Improve the International Student Experience. 

This week I attended a policy workshop at the National Union of Students conference in Liverpool looking at how Universities can work with Students' Unions and other stakeholders to help improve the International Student Experience- from pre-arrival to onward career. There were lots of shared issues in the room discussed by international students and Elected Officers who were all passionate about creating change in their institutions.

 

I have had many open conversations with different people/departments at the University including the Elected Officers, Students' Union Advice Centre, Vice-Chancellor's Group, University Board members, International Admissions, Student Immigration and Compliance, Academic Registry, Student Services and Finance. I am pleased to update students on progress being made by the Students' Union and University.

Over the past year, we have created a culture where staff and students are becoming more confident to speak about the issues facing international students. This is good progress, however this is just the beginning and we cannot stop here. In order for change to come about, we have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

 

UCLAN STUDENTS' UNION PROGRESS

 

1. Launch of the International Students' Forum

We have set up the International Students' Forum which gives students an opportunity to raise any issues they are facing in a safe space with Students' Union Officers and staff. We also look at building students' leadership capacity through workshops. We have held 3 of these forums so far and have some useful feedback to relay in the relevant University workstreams Elected Officers attend.

Join us at our next forum!

Date: Tuesday 6th May

Time: 4-6pm

Location: Flintoff Meeting Room, UCLan SU. Do you want to join virtually? Click here to join via Microsoft Teams.

 

2. Presenting our Research - Getting Staff Thinking, Talking and Acting

We collated the findings and recommendations from our International Student Experience survey, International Students' Get Together focus groups and Pearson and Wonkhe Belonging research. Usman (Vice-President Education) and I presented on the topic of the International Student Experience at UCLan to the Students, Teaching and Quality Committee (STQC). Exec Deans were keen for us to present to their faculties following STQC and we have since presented to staff in the the Faculty of Science and Technology. It was interesting to hear staff share their thoughts and we have further invitations to present to the School of Management and the Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences in April. This is brilliant for the Students' Union as we have been able to get staff talking about international students and looking at how we can work together to improve aspects of retention and achievement. We will continue to reach out to faculties to see how they are progressing with their plans to support students.

 

3. Your new International Students Representative 2022/23 - Sagar Kumar Koti!

Congratulations to Sagar on winning the election to become the next International Students Representative. This is a great time to come in as International Students Rep and continue building dialogue with University staff to make life better for students.

 

UNIVERSITY PROGRESS

 

1. International Student Support Taskforce

The Director of International Recruitment and Director of Student Services have come together to create 4 key workstreams which seek to improve the international student experience. Elected Officers will be involved in one workstream each with Students' Union staff support. These workstreams will look at:

• Finance - President
• Academic Misconduct - VP Education
• Accommodation - VP Activities
• English Language - VP Welfare

We are pleased to see the University leading this work and trying a new collaborative approach between two University departments. I am keen to see strong governance structures in place and to see this work addressed with clear plans, actions and implementation.

 

2. Extended Induction Working Group 

This group looks at a timeline and structure that will integrate and extend exisiting events throughout pre-entry activities into the first 6 months at the University. It will establish coordinated support, orientation and integration activities across three key dimensions of the student experience - social, academic and professional services. There will be a specific focus on international students and how they are inducted into the University. I look forward to contributing to this group with our CEO. 

 

3. Sub-Saharan Africa Welcome Lunch - Student Opportunities

We have been contacted by the Sub-Saharan Africa recruitment team to host a table at an upcoming welcome lunch on Wednesday 6th April. Some students from the region are not engaging with our activities and we are aware there is more work for us to do following the Race Equality Charter Mark survey results. Staff from the Activities Team will attend the welcome lunch to talk about the support we offer as well as our student opportunities - clubs, societies and volunteering.

 

Concluding thoughts...

• We need to continue having open and honest conversations about international students.

• This work will not happen overnight and thought needs to be given to allocate appropriate resource, time and attention to improve the support international students receive pre-arrival, once they arrive and onward career. If we get this right, the University will see improvement in their retention and achievement figures.

• We have to look beyond the numbers and surveys and listen to the experiences international students are facing on the ground.

• The University need to look at seeking feedback from students who have engaged with agents, and have policies and processes in place to act on this feedback where appropriate.

• The University need to make it clear to students that agents offer a recruitment service for which they are paid for by the University.

 

If students would like any more information on any of the work we are doing around International students or have any suggestions on areas we should be working on, please email Zuleikha at supresident@uclan.ac.uk.