Since starting my role in July, I’ve been getting to know the SU, taking part in training and starting to plan what I want to work on this year. I’ve also completed Community Organising training, which was a great opportunity to learn more about listening to students and bringing people together to create change.

As an international student, I know how difficult moving to a new country and starting university can be. I want to make sure international students feel welcomed, supported and able to speak up about the issues affecting them.

One of the main things I want to work on this year is timetabling. I’ve heard from students about long gaps between teaching and how difficult it can be to balance university with commuting and part-time work. I want to speak to more students about their experiences and work with the SU to see what we can improve.

I also want to look at the cost of living, particularly for international students. Things like course fees, finding part-time work and the cost of food can put a lot of pressure on students. I’m interested in practical ways we can help, including affordable food, promoting part-time job opportunities and potentially setting up a book swap.

Another area I want to look at is access to lecture recordings, slides and other teaching materials. I want to find out what students are experiencing and whether access is consistent across different courses.

Finally, I’d like to look at Halal food on campus and find out what students would like to see available. There’s lots I want to work on, and I’m looking forward to meeting more students, hearing about your experiences and working together to make positive changes.