This year, there are fourteen candidates for the position of Vice President Postgraduate at the Nottingham Trent Students’ Union executive elections.
The position of VP Postgraduate will be responsible for providing opportunities for the postgraduate students at the university, as well as working on employability initiatives and ensuring students’ needs are met.
All candidates eligible for this role are postgraduate students that are currently studying at NTU.
Victoria Whyte
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
As a postgraduate student, I faced a lot of challenges settling in. Being an International student and my first time in the UK it was really difficult for me coupled with the lockdown and adapting to the new norm of learning online. I got to know about a lot of opportunities that a post-graduate student can take advantage of from my course mates. These opportunities are not stated out for everyone to be aware of.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
If given the opportunity to serve as a VP Postgraduate, I will ensure that every information, opportunity, and resource available to the post-graduate student will be made available to every new student and how they can access it. I also believe the employability opportunities are poor, I would love to improve on this. Also, I will like the voice of Postgraduate students to be heard. Our complaints want and comfort should be given due consideration. Further research will be carried out on other needs that might arise.
Benedict Wills
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
The reason I have decided to run for VP postgrad is because of the challenges I have faced this year as a Postgrad. I don’t believe the university experience has been up to standard, this has been due to many reasons, partly because of Covid, and partly because there has been less of a focus on Postgrad students with the absence of a VP Postgrad this year. The other reason I have decided to run for VP is because I think I am a great fit for the role, I am organised and approachable and I believe my manifesto is not only achievable but desirable for the next wave of postgrads NTU will receive in September.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
There are a few things I would like to change about the postgrad community. I believe that there needs to be more support on offer, an increase in hardship and to look at the communications platforms we use to avoid students feeling isolated. Lastly, I want to focus on the ‘after University’ aspect of the Union. Students need to prepare for the working world, and the SU can offer leadership courses, employability conferences and so much more.
Adam Huckerby
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
I decided to run for VP postgraduate after putting forward a number of SU policy suggestions, with one in particular being ‘SU provided drugs testing kits’ and the policy being rejected on the basis that the current SU did not have the time to fulfil this policy. To me, as a current student it is not good enough for the student’s union to reject a policy that could potentially save many lives due to time restraints. The SU should be the union to benefit and support NTU students in all aspects of student life, no matter the circumstances.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
There are a number of things I would like to improve about the NTU postgrad community, a review of the timetables needs to take place to ensure that current postgrad students are able to take part in BUCs events on Wednesday afternoons. As well as this timetable overview, I would like to ensure that there are postgrad sports teams in all the internal leagues, this will not only help to improve overall fitness, but will bring a better sense of community and a way of meeting new people you may have not normally met.
Talal Alsharief
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
Having studied in different universities, I have an extensive understanding of students’ needs and an awareness of different cultures and education environments. In 2010, during my postgraduate study at Valparaiso University, I supervised a team of five students in managing the development, designing, testing, and launching of the international student page on the Valparaiso university website. I had experiences of involvement in many schools’ functions and events, enhancing my confidence in applying for this position.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
Ensure a better educational environment for our students, including IT services, library, accommodation, events, sports etc. Understand and represent the views of students and ensure their feedback are heard. Offer students more opportunities to be involved in many activities and events. Listen to all students and genuinely prepared to help and meet their requirements. Ensure that graduates’ employability should be the focus of the relevant department at NTU by creating programs to qualify the graduates to find jobs and internship.
Mutiat Abisola Afolabi
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
As an International Student, a postgraduate and a mature student with family, I know that the position requires ensuring inclusion and a great University experience for all these category of students. I have experiences in these three aspects, which is why I believe that I can offer good leadership and adequate representation in tackling the challenges of postgraduates.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
I will like to improve the mental health support by introducing a mental health partner program which will peer PG students to serve as motivation for each other; establish a personalised academic training group for international students who find it hard adapting to the academic writing style and research in the UK; and I will like to improve students’ research experience through a PG Hub which will be an avenue to share their research development, network and discuss issues and challenges. This will add immense value to their experience, encourage positive interaction and provide new insights and diversity to their research.
Ahmed Kassem
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
I wanted to add to the university & give back, also I find it a great opportunity to learn. I find it an interesting challenge, and I enjoy public service.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
I wouldn’t say change/improve, but rather add a sense of connection between the International student’s community & the local student community. Also between the postgraduate and undergrad. My previous university “AUC” is in my and every graduates DNA we affiliate with it, it’s our community no matter which generation, we all bond over it, and I hope we can have the same at NTU.
Pauline Mayowa Adetola
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
As post grads, we encounter a lot of challenges ranging from misinformation about the daily running of events at NTU, lack of information about the diverse opportunities available to us at NTU, especially as international students. Secondly, there are no known avenues for interaction amongst the PG community. These are some of the reasons why I decided to take up the challenge of running for this post.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
I would like to change the face of the Post Graduate Community where there can be adequate information, opportunities for us to impact NTU both academically and otherwise.
Isha Rastogi
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
As an undergraduate student I’ve had the first-hand experience in witnessing the needs of students being communicated to the College decision making, working as a Career Student Ambassador. I am a passionate and a determined individual to make improvements that we need and require for a better personal and professional journey. Being an international student myself, I am aware of the requirements of the student body and would want to make the processes accessible to the postgraduates. I wanted to run for VP postgraduate thereby being the student’s voice.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
Giving mental health a priority, I want to ensure a safe, and inclusive space for everyone to come and open and feel heard. Other professional opportunities for all the postgraduates in the midst and post their course of study shall be worked upon. In the end it’s all about supporting the postgraduates to getting out most of their ‘student experience’.
Chinedu Ndobu
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
As an international student, I feel it is important that everyone voice is heard and considered regarding issue face by home and international student especially during this difficult time of Covid. Making the university a better place of study for home and international student is my paramount concern . After graduation I want everyone to be proud alumni community of the university. I also want to help eliminate racism, racial differences, establish equality and the need for co-existence & respect within NTU community.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
I want to ensure that I represent the views of students (PGR & PGT) at relevant boards and committees, prioritize general needs of the students locally and nationally. I want to ensure that everyone can make their voice heard and express their opinion on the running of the school, regardless of faculty or origin. I will be honoured if am given this opportunity to represent you.
Gaurav Krishnrao Kadam
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
To represent student at Nottingham, to gain experience of leading a charity as a member of our Trustee Board. I would love to be part of university.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
I would like to improve the job placement hub which every student wants, and other thing is some of our postgraduate courses I would like improve them by adding different subject.
Oziegbe Sunday Akhenisi
Why did you decide to run for VP Postgraduate?
As a new student in a new environment, new school, it presented a whole new challenge to me. As a postgraduate student with just a year to finish my course, there was little time to acclimatise before going down to the nitty gritty of studying. I decided I didn’t want any more postgraduate students to undergo what I went through. I firmly believe that the mechanisms available to new and existing postgraduate students can be made easier, simpler and more readily accessible.
What would you change/improve about NTU’s postgraduate community?
First, I do intend to introduce the concept of a social media platform for just postgraduate students. Questions can be asked and answered. Secondly, I do plan to personally reach out to all postgraduate students personally throughout the year and I will ensure am always available to help. Thirdly I do hope to launch an employability platform, and then I would also liaise with the NTU authorities to make scholarships and hardship funds more readily available.
Williams Okpe Jacob, Dan Linh Le, Shreya Anil Singh and Gaurav Kumar are also candidates for this role and were approached but did not respond in time for publication.
You can cast your vote from 7pm Friday March 12, until Friday March 19.
By Faith Pring