Faisal Kadiri
International Student’s Officer Report
Annual Business meeting of the Council, 10th May, 2016.
Progress on plan of work: (Completed)
Culture Shock (23/04/2016)An University wide cross cultural eventwill be conducted to highlight cultural diversity and promote internationalism at Queen’s, with lieu to engage current international students (cultural societies) with Union activities. Several societies were approached and a draft plan of the event was constructed. The event was planned to take place on 23rd of April. Due to shortfall of time and funding and engagement from societies this event was fabricated and a smaller version of this event known as the Culture Fest was organized and hosted on the same day.
Queen’s Univarsity event (Postponed)A 3-day sports event in under planning stage to encourage international students to participate within the university and beyond. To unlock potentials and give a platform for international students to demonstrate their extra-curricular talents. This event has been postponed until next academic year. This event will be hosted in late January or early February following the exams.
International Student SupportRegular meetings have been organized with International Student Support to keep up-to-date with existing issues relating to international students in order to improve current support and facilities for international students. It is observed that lack of awareness and opportunities are the main reasons why international students are not heavily engaged with the Union activities. This is taken forward by the university and will be corrected during the central welcome and orientation week, where in importance of early engagement of students will be conveyed.
International Parcel relocationStudent Overseas Removal have been appointed as a student friendly parcel relocation service partner at Queen’s. International Students will be encouraged to use this company for relocating their belonging and artifacts after completion of their degree.
Guarantors for International StudentsMany Internationals students wishing to stay in private rented accommodation find it difficult to secure a guarantor to support their tenancy agreement. It will be proposed to the Union and council to find alternatives to the issue. This will be brought up at the next council meeting.
Personal TutorsIt was brought to my attention that there is a slight misconception in regards to the definition of Personal Tutor with the International Students body. To tackle the issue new intake will be made aware of the roles and responsibility of Personal Tutors during the welcome week. Returning students will be conveyed essential details on the same at the first conference hosted next academic year.
An all inclusive catering at the University There are many events hosted by the university to engage international student with the university. Some events have free food involved.
There are instances where such events do not have halal or vegetarian optionsand thus, excluding some of the international students and discouraging participation in future events. This issue was brought up with the Director of Student Plus, who have taken the issue positively and assured to make provisions for halal, vegan and other such variations in future events.
International Student ConferenceThree conferences were organized to share the workings of the council with the international student body and equally to give a chance to be heard and share their opinions which, the International Student Officer shall bring forth to the council. The conference had low attendees however, some positive feedback and issues were noted. These issues are highlighted in the appendices of this document.
Ongoing Projects:
Vision 2020 – International studentsSeveral issues and loopholes have been recognized since the start of this position, through surveys, interrogation and personal experience. It is a serious concern from international student experience point of view and in the best interest of the university that these issues are looked at and potential corrective measures are in placed. A meeting was organized to discuss the above case. The meeting was attended by Union Officers, Caroline Young, Isabelle Jennings, Dean of Internationalization, Prof. David jones, the registrar David O’Kane, and the Vice Chancellor. Further to this several meetings have been planned to timely resolve issues concerning international students.
Collaboration with other ISO fromA meeting with various ISSO from other Unions
other student Unionsacross the UK and Ireland to seek guidance on existing issues, as well as, to encourage a collective approach towards sorting these issues. Inter-University events will be organized to further improve student experience and promote Queen’s University. On 10th and 11th of March at NUS International Student Conference, I got the opportunity to raise and discuss this topic with other ISO from several UK Universities. The idea was supported and received a positive response form the group. Final procedure is under draft stage. I intend to implement this early next academic year (16/17).
Meetings attended
- Needs for International Students, Focus Group. (28th April 2016)
- Student Journey with Sinead Magenis, Elms Village. (7th March 2016)
- Engineering and International Students, Prof Mark Price, Faculty of EPS (02nd March, 2016).
- Executive Management Meeting (taken place every week on Wednesday).
- Kara Bailie, Head of Student Welfare (12th Feb, 16th April, 16th May).
- Rebecca Rutherford, Head of International Support, (10th May, 2016).
Appendices: Report from highlighting the International Conference.
17th Feb 2016, Wednesday.
16th Mar 2016, Wednesday.
In attendance:
International Students Officer – Faisal Kadiri
50 International Students from discrete back grounds.
Brief:
The event started with general introduction followed by introducing the University, the Union, the support services (ppt available on request). Subsequently, their structure, plan of operations, Works of SU officers, general activities and expectations, and various support services available to students were explained. Other discussion involved future establishment of support service planned for students and work/placement opportunity. This opened up a form of discussion and students raised issues and shared their experiences (summarized below). The students who attended have committed to help the international students officer in delivering future events. All students declared that they only knew 25% - 50% of the contents of the presentation and that this was useful. Over all it was a very successful event.
Issues Raised:
- Elms village Events – lack of promotion of events
It was brought forward by the students that Elms Village organizes several events during the semester. All students (especially international students) are welcomed to attend these events. However, many students living outside of elms village (private accommodation) do not receive any information/notification about the events; unless, their friends mention to them in person. Students particularly new to the University feel lonely during the weekends when most local students go back to their homes.
- Buddy Scheme:
A student suggested that in their previous institution, they had a student mentoring scheme, where mentors were also current (senior) active students. Although, it sounds much like our buddy scheme, it was available to students throughout the year and on demand. A student has been trying to seek a buddy and has contacted the team, but has not got any response from their buddy.
- Socializing with local students:
It was highlighted that socializing with local students is difficult as some local students do not tend to interact or respond. On the other hand, where the locals actively engage with international students their language (vocabulary), accent, and pace of communication sets a barrier, which discourages the international students to participate in future conversation.
- Clubs & Societies:
Lack of knowledge and clarity was conveyed by a majority of students regarding the available clubs and societies. General queries such as: ‘What do some of these clubs represents?’ ‘What is in it for international students?’ ‘what are the time commitments?’ were raised and answered. It was also noted that the Clubs & Societies page on SU website needs to be updated as some of the clubs & societies do not exists anymore (dormant) and others do not respond to emails (For instance: SWOT, Dermatology, Equestrian).
- The worst case scenario:
Late arriving international students, study abroad or exchange program students or students in general who miss their induction program or welcome and orientation week feel left out. They wander the university as ‘lost souls’, as mentioned by a student, looking for the right information or in some cases the right place to look for the right information. It was observed that support staff (in general) are well informed and very good at handling existing/known problems. Students with first-time issues have bad experience and receive inadequate support from staff. This forms a general opinion amongst students as to ‘will the support service be able to resolve my issue?’. Consequently, international students are discouraged to bring forth their problems.
- Issues relating to Jobs/ work Placements:
Many students were not pleased with the existing part-time work or placement opportunities. Students find it difficult to secure a part-time job off-campus. Also, there are not many available opportunities on-campus jobs. In addition, on-campus job requires a 7-band in IELTS or equivalent. Students who have been at the University for over two years do not hold a valid IELTS certificate (i.e. IELTS certificate expires after two years). Nonetheless, students claim that their level of communication has improved since they first joined the university. This requirement sets them in an unfair position to apply in potential jobs.
In relation to placement opportunities Students pointed out that there are more jobs available for some disciplines (Engineering) but not for others (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences).
- Issues in general:
Many students had a dilemma whether the available support services at the University are charged or free to use. Student showed a general lack of understanding of what the support services are and how they can avail of those services.
- Funding for new society:
The newly formed Indonesian Society at Queen’s, had raised the issue that there was not enough funding provided by the University/Union to support their initiatives. They asserted that since this was there ‘time of infancy’ (i.e. a newly formed society) they are more likely to be needing the financial resources to attract members. That the union must look into this matter.