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Bakhtawar Javed

International Students Officer

What have I done so far?
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About me

Hello, I am Bakhtawar Javed, your International Students’ Officer. My key task as ISO is to ensure that the interests of international students are represented within the University’s academic and professional services. As ISO, I look forward to implementing student-centric policies such as easy access to information and university services for better student experience, more networking opportunities to give a sense of community and represent international students’ voice at University and Sector level.

Prior to being elected as International Students’ Officer, I was actively involved in volunteering for old age homes in Bristol and at Multi-Faith Chaplaincy. I was also a fundraiser for different scholarship programs that the University of Bristol offers to its students.

Outside of my work, I enjoy reading, writing, long walks and hiking. I also love watching animes (you can come to me for recommendations ). I have immense love for my morning Tea (Chai) and dogs. A fun fact about me is that I like eating cold food and warm ice-cream – when it melts in my bowl.

My Priorities

Accessibility to Services
  • Access to information related to performing Administrative Tasks upon arrival
  • Access to information related to existing support services
  • Access to the services provided by the Student Union

Community and Belonging
  • Celebrating the international students and diversity – International Students Week (November 13-17).
  • Monthly Breakfast Mingles and Drop in Sessions at SU Living Room or Global Lounge to discuss and solve issues faced by students
  • Tours to Museums, Street Art, and different cities in the UK
  • Academic and Guest Speaker events at least 3

Representation of International Students at Local and Sector Level:
  • Inclusion of International Student Voices at University level
  • Setting up a Network for International Students Officers at Sector Level to raise concerns regarding international student specific issues such as visas and working conditions.

What I've Been Working On

Dear Students, I understand that the recent negative portrayal of international students in media coupled with the government's plans to renew visa policies have deeply affected you all. Just wanted to reassure you that I am aware of it and raised the issue with the Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellors about it. The University Senior management has come in support of international students alongside me. I can assure you, I will continue to keep raising the issues and lobby for your interests. You can read the full statement by the University and I here: A message to our international students.

1
I attended the SAY International Task and Finish Group meeting to discuss the arrivals and onboarding of the international students this year in September. This is being done to ensure that transition period for international students is smooth and supportive. 
2

I also attended the International Student Experience Committee Meeting to discuss the academic and language support for international students.

3
The report of the focus group on academic experience of international students, which was conducted by the Bristol SU Research and Insight Team and I last month, has been compiled. The report presents interesting findings which I will share with the senior University Stakeholders to improve academic experience of international students

Previous Updates

August 2023
  • I am currently working on welcoming the new international students at the University. I am currently reviewing pre-arrival information being shared with incoming students and ensuring that measures are put in place to facilitate incoming students as much as possible to ensure smooth transitioning of International students from their home countries to Bristol, UK. Besides Welcome Week, I will be available throughout September and beginning of October in the Senate House to Welcome and facilitate international students who arrive post Welcome Week. So if you are arriving late, feel free to reach out to me for support!
  • I am currently working with SU Staff and University to ensure that incoming international students have easy access to certain post-arrival information and the administrative tasks they have to perform such as registering with GP and opening bank accounts can be simplified. Reach out to us if you are an incoming international student and need support! I am also working on arranging networking events for International Students to help them build community and friends. I am also actively lobbying the RGSU to ensure that International Students and their needs are prioritized in 2023/2024.
  • I have recently been to Russell Group Student Unions (RGSU) Residential where I actively advocated for making international students and the problems they face related to visas, employment, fees and funding be made a priority and be made a part of national debate.
September 2023
  • I am currently working on improving the Academic Experience for International Students. I have contributed to the research on international students and their academic experience being conducted by SPAIS and also lobbying with University to facilitate international students with UK Academic Standards.
  • I have been working with the University to simplify administrative tasks for International Students upon arrival and making the services more accessible. I will be in the Senate House till Mid-October to Welcome students who arrive late.
  • I have successfully lobbied the Russell Group Student Union (RGSU) to prioritize International Students this year. International Students and their issues related to Visa Working hours, Guarantor Scheme and Tuition Fees will be considered in writing RGSU General Election Manifesto.
  • During Welcome, I monitored the transitioning of International students to the UK. Currently, I am working with the University to ensure that the International students feel supported throughout their academic year by being correctly signposted to the relevant services.
  • I, along with my colleagues at the SU, delivered a sensitivity training to our Student Groups. This included going beyond stereotypes and be more inclusive and open to students from different cultures, and to market the group in a way that it gives friendly vibes to all.
  • I welcomed the international students by socialising with them at the Welcome Week events. I also delivered several Welcome Talks during Welcome Week and hosted the International Students Karaoke event!
October 2023
  • I have attended the first monthly Officer Drop In Session, and met many international students at the SU Loft in Senate House. I noted down the issues of international students and signposted them to the relevant services to resolve their issues. I also had important meeting with SU Digital Team, to improve access to information on SU website for international students. See you at our next Officer Drop In - Make Change!
  • I have recently led a trip of mostly international students to Oxford. The trip provided an excellent opportunity to international students to explore other cities in the UK and to make new connections and friends. You can check out the other UK day trips available this term on the SU events page.
  • I have presented the Officer Priorities at the University Senate and Student Experience Committee. I have further been having important conversations with the university on facilitating international students in transitioning to UK.
  • I have been working hard to pull together the events for the International Students Week in mid-November. The week is to celebrate the experience, knowledge and diversity, international students bring to the University of Bristol. For the purpose, I reached out to many international students to submit their extra-curricular achievements for the International Students Exhibition. You will soon find out more about the events during International Students Week. Stay tuned.
  • I have been in conversations with the University to improve the international student experience by improving the access and efficient signposting to the right services that would facilitate international students who are experiencing range of complex issues related to visas and accommodation. 
  • I have recently been on the second trip of TB1 to Stratford Upon Avon with a large group of mostly International Students. The trip had an amazing turnout. Together with students I visited Shakespeare's birthplace and many other historic sites. The trip provided an excellent opportunity to bond together and make friends and to explore more about the UK. If you missed this one, don't worry, you can sign up for future trips on our events page.
November 2023
  • I attended the Strategic Management and Implementation Group Meeting, and lobbied them to include the experience of current international students as a key priority for improvements. This would help in streamlining the support system available to international students.
  • I also took a trip to Windsor which was arranged by Bristol SU. This was the third day trip for TB1, and students had a time of their lives. The trip offered an excellent opportunity for international students to explore the traditional city of Windsor, the magnificent Windsor Castle and to witness the Remembrance Day Parade by the Royal Guards. If you were unable to become a part of the trip, you can always sign up for the upcoming Bath day trip.
  • I arranged the International Students’ Week campaign from 13 – 17 November for international students. The idea behind the week is to celebrate the knowledge, experience and cultural diversity international students bring along with them. There has been an International Student Exhibition in the SU Living Rooms at Senate House that displayed the positive contributions of international students in University of Bristol and the Bristol community. The other events included Volunteering with Green Cotham, Pizza and Quiz Night and Global Food Fair in collaboration with Bristol SU and Global Lounge. I will also be championing International Students in UKCISA Fest on 15 November.
  • In the upcoming months, my focus will be on lobbying the University to have a centralized support office for International students. I have initiated the conversations with the University which have been well-received. Currently, I am working on a plan for the services.
  • I am now working with the University on improving the academic experience of the international students. I am in conversation with the relevant University stakeholders and researchers who are working to figure out the major academic issues that International students face.
  • My recent win has been the success of the International Students Week. The week was the first of its kind and was very well attended by all students. Some highlights of the week include the International Students Exhibition which was covered by University Career Services as well, volunteering with Green Cotham and representing  International Students at UKCISA Fest where I had the opportunity to meet All Party Parliamentary Students Representative and asked them about capping tuition fees of International Students. I also hosted the International Students Quiz Night with adam which was highly attended and liked, as well as the Global Food Fair which was attended by approximately 230 students.
December 2023
  • I am currently working on proposing the centralised services and tailored support system for international students at the University. I have progressed on my conversations with the University stakeholders.
  • I will be going to the Russell Group Students Union (RGSU) residential in Manchester to champion international students. International students have already been prioritised in RGSU upcoming General Election Manifesto, but this time around I will be working on prioritising issues around visas and the new policy announced by the government.
  • I will be going to the Russell Group Students Union (RGSU) residential in Manchester to champion international students. International students have already been prioritised in RGSU upcoming General Election Manifesto, but this time around I will be working on prioritising issues around visas and the new policy announced by the government.
  • I have been working on a strategy to lobby the government to take the interests of International students into consideration before going ahead with their Five Point Immigration Plan. I am in conversations with the University stakeholders and have written a letter to our local MP. I am also lobbying other Student Unions to adopt similar approach. 
  • I attended the Russell Group Students' Union Residential to champion the right of International Students. I lobbied other Russell Group Student Unions to support International Students after the announcement of the government's immigration plan. 
  • I have finalized the proposal for the Centralized Support Services for International Students and am currently working to push this forward with the University. 
January 2024
  • I have been working on lobbying other SUs to come in support of International Students amidst the Graduate Route Review by the government. I have written the strategy paper and currently in the process of circulating it with support from Wonkhe.
  • I am presenting the Proposal for Centralized Support System for International Students this week at the International Student Experience Committee in front of senior university stakeholders.
  • I have arranged International Students Quiz Night for Refresher's Week and will be hosting the International Students' Karaoke.
  • The Trips are coming back soon. Stay Tuned :)
February 2024
  • I have drafted a strategy for lobbying the government in support of international students amidst the recent Visa Policy Review. The strategy has been shared with SUs across the country and some support from other SUs has started pouring in. I have also lobbied the University to show solidarity with international students and we will see positive developments on this soon. I want to assure the international students that your Officer is standing by your side :)
  • I hosted the International Students Karaoke Night during Refresher's Fair. I also attended the Annual Member's Meeting Last week and updated the students on the work I have been doing.
  • I have presented the proposal for Centralized Support Office/Services for International Students to the university stakeholders and will be having further discussions and negotiations soon. For now, it has been well-received by the University.
March 2024
  • I have conducted a focus group with International Students to delve deeper into their academic concerns. This is being done to better understand the areas where more support is needed. Once the report comes out, I will work with university on strengthening the academic support for international students.
  • I have recently delivered a talk on the impacts of the cost of living crisis on International Students at the Transforming the Society event held at Career Services Training Suite. This was done to create awareness around the International Students issues. I have also delivered another presentation on the International Student Experience to the University of Bristol Board of Trustees to highlight the issues of International Students such as transitioning and access to support services. This is being done to represent the interests of the international students at highest committee levels within the University.
  • I recently held an English Language Workshop on Quirky English Sayings and Traditions complemented with free Cream Tea in collaboration with the Global Lounge. The event was well attended and liked as it equipped International Students with conversational English which would help them to better adjust to the British Culture.
  • I have recently been involved in the recruitment of the Assistant Director International Students Success. The role would streamline transitioning and onboarding process of the international students which would help them in settling in the UK and the University life.
  • I am working with the Structure of the Academic Year International Task and Finish Group to support International Students upon their arrival in the new academic year. This is also being done to ensure that International Students have sufficient support if they arrive late in September 2024.
  • I recently presented the issues of the International Students to the Faculty of the International Directors who have shown willingness to support and collaborate in improving the international student experience.