The Presidents team at The Students’ Union have had a productive term yet again! Each member has made significant accomplishments and dedicated themselves to improving the student experience on campus. Continue reading to learn more about their recent activities and initiatives.

President: Kolawole Samuel Olure

• Sam has been working hard on improving the student payment plan at UWE, making it more flexible. Instead of two payments in December and February, the plan now offers greater flexibility, easing financial burdens for many students.
• He has also worked with VP Societies and Communication to arrange a multicultural celebration for Diversity Day at UWE Bristol, highlighting the campus's diverse cultures through a variety of activities and multicultural foods.
• Our President's employability event, "Transitioning to Workforce" was highly successful. With speakers from various departments within The Students’ Union and UWE, students received valuable professional advice on job hunting during and after university. The event also featured interactive Q&A sessions, allowing students to engage directly with the speakers and gain insights into their career journeys.

• Sam conducted a captivating Instagram Live session with Sue from our Advice Team, which discussed on accommodation-related topics. They talked about navigating living arrangements and understanding students' rights regarding accommodation.

VP Community and Welfare: Fayaz Abdul Kareem

• Fayaz has been busy hosting insightful UWE Buzz podcasts with notable guests, including our Students’ Union President Sam. Watch the podcast here.

• Fayaz successfully completed the WonkHE study tour, visiting student unions and universities in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. He established connections, gathered insights, and fostered collaborations on joint projects, benefiting student-led activities and sporting initiatives.

• Fayaz and Vice President Education Sabiha distributed 200 de-stress bags at Frenchay and Glenside Campuses, with additional materials at Bower Ashton Campus's Community Corner. The initiative aimed to reduce exam-related stress and improve student well-being, benefiting nearly 600 students.

• During Sexual Violence Awareness Week, Fayaz took the lead in producing a collaborative social media video with the Men's Football Team. The video aimed to address toxic masculinity and challenge the stigma surrounding the notion of 'Boys will be Boys.' Watch the Reel here.
• On 30 January, Fayaz visited Parliament as part of the NUS Manifesto for Our Future launch, advocating for student issues in General Election manifestos and campaigns alongside presidents from other students’ unions.
• Fayaz was nominated by The Students' Union to represent the international student community at UKCISA Fest. After a rigorous selection process, he's delighted to advocate for over 605,000 international students in the UK on a national platform.

VP Education: Sabiha Khan

• Sabiha joined a Higher Education Summit, connecting with sabbatical officers and staff from various student unions and universities across the UK. The event was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives on student life and education, broadening their understanding and sparking inspiration for future collaborations.
• Sabiha distributed 200 de-stress bags at Frenchay and Glenside Campuses, with additional materials at Bower Ashton Campus's Community Corner, benefiting nearly 600 students and reducing exam-related stress.
• She collaborated with UWE to promote the Course Survey Program, incentivising participation with a pizza party for the course with the highest responses.
• Sabiha is actively involved in organising the 2024 Student Experience Awards alongside key staff members, guaranteeing an exceptional evening.
• Sabiha actively participated in Women's History Month events, including afternoon tea sessions, where she engaged with numerous students across all UWE campuses.

VP Sports and Health

• Krishna joined the Sports Conference, engaging with members from diverse societies to discuss improving sports activities at The Students’ Union. Each participant shared ideas, aiming to address challenges faced by sports societies.

• Krishna's manifesto prioritises supporting sports students to boost their motivation and university sports ranking. He has distributed 150 bags on busy BUCS Wednesdays, filled with essentials like bananas and protein bars. The giveaways are a hit with sports club students, bringing joy to both them and Krishna.

• VP Sports and Health, Krishna has been actively promoting the free MOVE membership to students, encouraging wider participation in health and fitness activities.
• He had successfully achieved one of his goals, which was to install basketball hoops for students at the university. With support from the Head of CFS and the relocation of hockey to the new Lockleaze facility, there are promising prospects for having a basketball court at the astro pitch by the start of the second semester.

VP Societies and Communication: Bethel Ekaette

• Bethel was excited to announce that TEDxUWE - Ripples of Change showcased exceptional speakers such as Philip Holmes, Alexander Atlas, and Syed Ayaan Reza. Their profound insights were poised to inspire positive transformations within our university and beyond.
• Bethel successfully organised a Diversity Day campaign aimed at celebrating all cultures and identities within our student body. The event featured workshops on microaggressions, autism awareness, and deaf awareness to better inform students. Additionally, he collaborated with societies to showcase food from around the world, which received positive feedback from attendees. The event also had a henna section, which generated a lot of interest, including from our Vice Chancellor who participated in the festivities.
• Bethel was thrilled to unveil the Call Out for UWE Bristol’s Got Talent, providing an exciting opportunity for students to flaunt their incredible talents and take centre stage! After a series of auditions, the finalists are now ready for the Grand Final this April.  

• Bethel launched the Amplify campaign, aimed at empowering our talented students with a platform to showcase their passion for music or production. In collaboration with the Centre for Music. This unique initiative offered participants the chance to win either a professional recording of their songs or a professionally produced video shoot. It was an exceptional opportunity for students to elevate their musical journey, and staff members were also encouraged to participate.