I would like to begin by introducing myself. My name is Atif Ali and I study Masters in Law (General). I studied LLB Law at undergraduate level at the University of Wolverhampton and graduated in 2015. This form part of the reason why I am applying to become FT Postgraduate (PG) Student’s Officer. Having come from another university I understand what it is like for many of the students who have come from various institutions and countries.
I am passionate about students being involved with the guild. I believe that PG students find it difficult engaging with university as the masters and research programmes are ‘full on’. I wish to change this, and I will seek to get PG students actively involved in university life. As PG officer I will aim to get socials and events aimed for PG student on a regular bases. I will ensure that PG students concerns both academically and with university life are raised.
I believe I am best placed for the PG student officer role as I have experience in a similar role. I am a current student representative for the LLM. In this role I have been able to engage with fellow students and on issues and concerns that they are experiencing with the course. These have then been relayed at various meetings. In addition to this, along with fellow reps, we are currently trying to arrange an overseas trip to visits the international courts in relation to our course.
I am also Clerk to the School Governing Body at Wychall Primary School in Birmingham. In this role I work alongside governors and staff at the school. This includes providing advice to the governing body on governance, constitutional and procedural matters. As well as providing effective administrative support to the governing body and its committees. This is beneficial to the role of PG student officer as it demonstrate that I am able to work in a team as well as demonstrating my attention to detail.
PG Students can spend up to 6 years at UoB. This is through either Full Time (FT) or Part Time (PT) Masters study or FT/PT Research study. My focus will be on making the year more productive both academically as well as socially. I will ensure that there is an increase understanding in what PG students both taught and research go through with regards to welfare issues. I will work alongside my colleague to ensure periods of isolation for PG research students are both understood and tackled.
Finally I will campaign for extra funding for PG students as well as trying to ensure that PG students can remain in halls until their dissertations are complete.