Monday 05-09-2016 - 00:00

Im Chris, the elected Vice President for the School of Engineering and Built Environment. What does that mean? Students studying any computing, engineering or construction related courses, I’m here to represent your views and ensure you have the best experience possible at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). 

Prior to becoming elected, I studied Cyber Security and Networks, at GCU, and last September I began my masters in Network Security. Through my experience, one thing I've learned at university is that it’s very important to balance your time well. 

 

So why did I run for election?

In the later part of my undergraduate course I began to get involved within the Students' Association. I got the opportunity to volunteer through photography, which is one of my hobbies. I took photos for many of the Students’ Association events throughout the year.  I then went on to leading a society and in March I stood for election.  If I was to sum up what election week was like it could be compared to a week-long physical endurance test with the high possibility of losing despite surviving the week.  Both mentally and physically it was one of most challenging periods of my time at university, but what kept me going was the positive reaction I received from the student body when discussing my manifesto promises.

Transitioning from being a full-time student to a Full Time Officer is a big step and it can be surreal initially when you first learn the responsibility you have. The first couple of months have been challenging with the combination of traveling around the UK on training, sitting in countless university meetings and having tough negotiations and debates. Establishing a work life balance and learning to switch off at the end of the day can be very difficult.  However, I’m kept going by a good executive team and knowing what I am doing is impacting students in a positive way. 

Over the summer, GCU Students' Association have been working hard to ensure that everything is in place for the start of the new term. In September, we are starting as we mean to go on. Freshers this year is going to be incredible with our ‘Active Days and Club Nights’, the Postgraduate Welcome Week, and INTO School Social.  In the Engineering School we are going back to basics by re-writing the rule book on how staff communicates with students. That is not the only thing; we are taking a student led approach to the enhancement of the quality of learning and teaching within the school. 

The amazing part is, this is just the start…

 

Chris Daisley

Vice President SEBE

You can contact me at VP.SEBE@GCUstudents.co.uk or find out more about my role at www.GCUstudents.co.uk/vice-president-sebe