Hi everyone!
It’s great to see Brunel come back to life as we settle into the new academic year. From welcoming new students during Freshers to seeing societies, sports clubs and student communities getting into full swing, there’s a real energy on campus at this time of year.
As I return for my second year as your Education President, I’ve been thinking about how we build on the progress made last year while continuing to make sure student’s voices shape their university experience. A big part of my role is listening to what students are experiencing, raising those concerns in the right places, and working with the University and Union teams to make things better. Here are some of the key things I’ve been focusing on recently.
Making Your Academic Experience Better
Now that teaching is underway, the everyday aspects of university life really matter. Timetabling, clear communication, access to learning resources and knowing where to turn when something goes wrong can make a real difference to your experience.
I have continued working on these academic priorities, including timetabling challenges, and raising student concerns with University colleagues. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, through meetings, discussions and follow-ups, but the aim is always the same: to make sure students experiences inform decisions and lead to meaningful improvements.
I’m also keen to keep strengthening our academic representation system. Course Representatives and Senior Representatives play a vital role in connecting students with their departments, and I want to make sure they feel supported, confident and able to raise issues effectively. I also started meetings with Deans and Vice Deans for curse rep reflection which is also a positive change for our Reps.
Education Council: Your Voice at the Centre
Education Council is an important part of how we bring student representatives together to discuss the academic experience at Brunel. It provides an opportunity to share experiences, identify common concerns and consider how we can work collectively to improve things for students across different courses and colleges.
For me, effective representation is about more than collecting feedback. It’s about making sure the right issues are raised, that students understand what happens next, and that we keep pushing for progress where improvements are needed. Strengthening communication between representatives, the Union and the University is central to that.
Curious about what this is and what’s discussed? You can visit the website for details and for the Education Council minutes online through the Union of Brunel Students to find out more about the issues being raised on your behalf.
Working with Brunel 66
I have also been keeping Brunel 66 informed about the work taking place across education and student representation. Sharing these updates is an opportunity to highlight the progress being made, explain the priorities we’re continuing to work on, and identify where further support can help us move things forward.
From academic experience and timetabling to longer-term ideas for improving student's university experience, it’s important that the conversations taking place across the University remain connected to what students are telling us. Engaging with Brunel 66 helps me communicate that work beyond individual meetings and demonstrate both the challenges we’re addressing and the opportunities ahead.
Ultimately, I want these conversations to help build support for changes that make a practical difference to students, while keeping student experience at the heart of the decisions being discussed.
Education Beyond Your Degree
One of the things I’m particularly passionate about is making sure your university experience prepares you for life beyond graduation, not just your next assignment or exam.
I have also been working with Richard Iyede on ideas connected to Brunel Humanitas and the University’s wider Graduate Formation Framework. We’re exploring how the University and Union could recognise existing programmes or modules that develop skills such as critical thinking, professional ethics, personal development, employability and social responsibility.
Your voice matters in shaping this work! We want to hear what you think students should gain from their university experience beyond their degree. Please take a moment to complete our survey and share your views. Your feedback will help inform the conversations as this work develops.
It’s still being developed, but I’m excited about its potential to bring together the academic, professional and personal sides of a Brunel education.
Bringing the Brunel Community Together
One of my favourite things about Brunel has always been its people. We have students from so many different backgrounds, cultures and walks of life, and our campus is at its best when everyone has opportunities to share their experiences and feel part of the community.
It’s been lovely to see the energy around student societies and cultural events as the year gets underway. Events such as Meet and Greet, Ganpati, Garba are a great example of how traditions, music and dance can bring people together, including those who are discovering something new for the first time. Supporting opportunities like these is an important part of creating a campus where students can build friendships and feel a sense of belonging beyond their studies.
Freshers is always a reminder of how much there is to discover at Brunel, whether that’s joining a society, trying a new sport, attending an event or simply meeting people outside your usual circle. I’d encourage everyone to make the most of what’s happening on campus this year.
Looking Ahead
There’s plenty more I want to take forward this term. I’ll continue working on academic representation, timetabling and communication challenges, employability and placements, and developing ideas that help students get more out of their education.
I’m also looking forward to meeting with Danny Beales MP next month as part of building stronger connections between Brunel, local representatives and the wider community. Alongside this, I’m keen to continue outreach and engagement, ensuring we listen to different perspectives and strengthen the links between our students and the communities around us.
Education Council, conversations through Brunel 66 and my ongoing work with University colleagues all contribute to this wider effort. They help connect individual student experiences with the discussions and decisions that can make a difference across Brunel.
Most importantly, I want to hear from you. Whether something is working well, something needs improving, or you have an idea that could make Brunel better, please get in touch. Your experiences help me understand what matters most, and your feedback is an important part of shaping the work I do.
Here’s to a great term ahead, and to making this year count!
Abhishek Ghawate
Education President, Union of Brunel Students