Hello! We are reaching the end of the first term and so I thought it would be useful to explain everything that I have been working on and especially everything that I have achieved ever since I started in July.

Refugee Campaign

Two years ago, the Students’ Union helped re settle 50 Syrian Refugees in Barnet. They were offered a free English test if they showed interest in continuing their studies.  The outcome was that 3 refugees were able to pass the test, Asmaa and Bahaa still needed a pre sessional English course, but Alaa could apply for a foundation course. We spoke with them and they were extremely excited, however they couldn’t apply for a student loan, since their status was still as an asylum seeker. Knowing how much they wanted this opportunity, me and Joe met with the University Executive and persuaded the university to award them fee waivers! Now Alaa is already enrolled and Asmaa and Bahaa are going to start in January. 

Student Well being

One of my main areas of interest is Student Well-being – one of my main objectives was to work closely with all services from the university who provide support to students. This allowed me to get a student back to study at Middlesex after being wrongly advised and leaving a number of years ago; to be part of the new listening platform project, in collaboration with Seven Cups Society and the support services, which should be on next term; and finally to prioritise in every meeting the idea that the best way to understand what students need is to ask them! I am also collaborating with all services to bring you the Stressed Out Students campaign, beginning in January.

Green Impact Awards

This year, I am the officer in charge of the Green Impact Awards, which means that I will also be reminding everyone to be mindful of their actions and think green. Our first step was to get funding for the allotment; we are still working on this and hopefully it will be confirmed soon! Our next step will be to grow some organic vegetables with the help of some students, so if you are interested please send me an email: r.marques@mdx.ac.uk. The next action will be to mobilise students and staff and reach the necessary steps to achieve a level of “very good” at the Green Impact Awards.

Feedback

There is now a food van at Allianz Park, where you can have a hot meal and you can pay with card. I was able to push forward this idea due to all the feedback from the previous Board of Studies and all student feedback.

Also, as you may have noticed Pizza@MDX increased the prices, well we noticed too! After a meeting with Chartwells, we persuaded them to lower the prices to the previous ones. Also, they agreed to increase the size of the regular pizzas and the quantity of toppings!