Shubham: Postgraduate Education Officer

Hello, I'm Shubham Singh, your current Postgraduate Education Officer. My role involves representing both taught and research Postgraduate students at all levels within the University, and improving their student experience, particularly in regard to well-being and academic affairs.

I came to Bristol In September 2016, to do an MSc Gender and International Relations. Alongside my studies, I got involved with SU by becoming a course rep, and then standing on the Democratic Standards Committee and Best of Bristol Lectures Committee. When I was able to stand for a full-time officer role, I thought this would be a great opportunity to build upon my experiences gained in previous roles, and make even bigger and better changes at the university.

If there is anything that is affecting your educational experience which you would like to discuss further, please feel free to get in touch with me on facebook or email.

Here's what I'm working on this year:

1. Improve educational experience of Postgraduates

• Lobby the University to bring appropriate changes to the structure of academic year to address mismatch of dissertation deadline and PG halls tenancy end date.
• Review English language requirements score to ensure that students have English skills sufficient enough to do well in their respective courses.
• Ensure students' interest is at the heart of review of Masters degree classification thresholds.

2. Increased support for international students

• Ensure a full-time International Students' Officer role to provide representation for international students at all possible level within the University and the SU. Also shape Students' Unions' internationalization strategy and other initiatives to improve international students' experience.  
• Work with Career services to shape the international students' employability week and other international students-related initiatives.

 3. Making University more affordable

• Pushing the University to continue and increase scholarships such as Big Think Postgraduate Scholarships and Sanctuary scholarships. 
• Working with Undergraduate Education Officer to lobby University to cut hidden costs such as graduation ceremony costs, printing costs, etc. 

 4. Social experience and Well-being

• Ensure the development of Postgraduate-dedicated social and study spaces in University's ongoing projects such as Campus Heart Program, Temple Quarter, etc.
• Support International Students Network and Postgraduate network to organise good range of social and community building events and activities
• Shape the work around PGR pastoral support to ensure better well-being provision for postgraduate researchers
• Better training of personal tutors and supervisors to support well-being of students

 5. Increased support for Postgraduates who teach

• Work with BDC to improve development opportunities available for PGRs who teach
• Lobby Academic staff development to increase more capacity for PGRs on training opportunities delivered through CREATE
• Support strikes to show solidarity with PGRs who go on strike.