Hi everyone!
Each month, I will share updates on the projects I am working on, the key meetings I have attended, progress on student priorities, and initiatives coming up. This space is designed to keep you informed and show exactly how your voice is being represented across Brunel University.
In July, I officially began my role as Education President. Since then, I have gone through inductions, comprehensive training, and high-level meetings with University and Union staff. The focus has been on building strong foundations for the year ahead and starting work on key priorities like placement support, academic communication, and ensuring student voices are heard in decision making.
'Your feedback shapes everything I do, and this blog is a way to keep you in the loop.'
Starting the Role and Wearing Multiple 'Hats'
In my role, I wear multiple 'hats', each with unique responsibilities:
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Student representative – working directly with departments and academic staff to address concerns and improve learning experiences.
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Full-time employee in the Union – contributing to initiatives and working alongside part-time officers to deliver projects.
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Trustee of the Union – guiding Union operations so they reflect student priorities.
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Member of University Council – representing student voices in the University’s highest decision-making forums.
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Bridge with external networks – connecting with Members of Parliament, Student Union officers across the United Kingdom through National Union of Students Lead and Change training, and other national student networks to bring best practice to Brunel.
'These responsibilities allow me to engage with students, staff, and external partners, ensuring your feedback is represented at every level.'
Training and Learning
The first weeks in my role included a series of training and induction sessions to make sure I can represent students effectively and act within university procedures:
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Compliance training – ensuring I work within University and Union processes, so outcomes are delivered correctly and promptly.
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Union staff training – building relationships, developing practical skills, and preparing the team to deliver this year’s priorities.
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University Council training – understanding the Council’s structure, decision-making authority, and how to best raise student issues at senior levels.
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University-led departmental sessions – learning the internal structures and knowing whom to contact for specific student issues so concerns can be resolved quickly.
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National Union of Students Lead and Change training – meeting other Student Union Presidents and Vice Presidents across the United Kingdom to share challenges and practical solutions.
These sessions have already helped me navigate processes more efficiently and build the relationships needed to get things done for students.
Achievements So Far
Although the academic year is just beginning, several pieces of work are already underway and showing progress:
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Placements and employability – There are still a few courses that do not offer a placement year, and I have been working to change that. I have met with the Deans of the University’s colleges to discuss expanding placement opportunities for all courses, and they are supportive of exploring options to make this possible. For employability, I have been working closely with the Professional Development Centre (PDC) to plan how we can better promote the department and ensure students know where to go for guidance and support in preparing for their careers.
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Academic policies and student support – I have been meeting with college deans to promote ECs and Appeals processes. A key part of these discussions is encouraging departments and lecturers to include clear, accessible information about ECs and Appeals within lecture materials and slide decks, similar to how plagiarism guidance is already embedded. This ensures students are aware of the support available and know exactly where to go if they need it, right at the point of learning.
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Student communication – I have been working with the University to improve how students receive important updates. With the recent restructuring, many students were unaware of which departments to contact for their concerns. The TPO has now been merged with the Brunel Student Hub (formerly the Student Centre), and I have collaborated with the University and the Student Hub to ensure messages are clear, timely, and informative, helping students navigate the new structure.
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Events and engagement – I had the privilege of representing the Student Union on stage at Graduation Ceremony, I took part in Student Clearing Day to welcome and advise incoming students, and I joined the Indian Independence Day event hosted by the Indian Society to celebrate our diverse community.
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Meeting Local MP – I had the chance to meet with our local Member of Parliament to discuss issues facing students, as well as wider community concerns. Some of the key topics we covered included work restrictions for international students, immigration routes and post-study visas (particularly the concern about the shortening of the post-study work visa), rising tuition fees for home students, and the ongoing housing challenges both for students and the wider community. I also presented a white paper highlighting how current visa policy changes could affect students, which received positive feedback and constructive support.
Building Relationships Across the University
A major part of my work has been to close the gap between the Union and University teams, so student concerns are heard and acted on faster. I am continuing to:
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Work with academic representatives and college deans to ensure consistent messaging and accessible support around academic procedures.
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Develop clearer channels so lecturers and departments know how to signpost students to the appropriate support (for example, including ECs, Appeals and plagiarism guidance in lecture slides).
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Collaborate with the Placement Development Centre and Job Shop to make sure placement opportunities are promoted effectively across departments.
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Bring ideas from national Student Unions via the National Union of Students network to improve systems at Brunel.
Looking Ahead
My priorities for the coming months are clear:
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Advance placement support across all possible courses so more students can access meaningful work experience.
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Work with academic representatives and departments to streamline academic policies and embed clearer feedback mechanisms.
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Continue to strengthen working relationships between the Union and University staff to ensure initiatives are implemented and student concerns are resolved.
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Maintain engagement with external partners and national Student Unions to bring best practice and new opportunities to Brunel.
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Monitor the impact of visa and immigration changes and provide targeted support for affected students.
Your feedback shapes everything I do. If you have a concern, idea or suggestion, please get in touch:
- In person: Student Union office
- Email: abhishek.ghawate@brunel.ac.uk
“Thank you for trusting me to represent your interests. I look forward to updating you again at the end of September with more progress and initiatives.”