Wednesday 19-02-2020 - 15:34

Student Officers are the voice of students at the University of the Highlands and Islands – but what does that actually mean and what does it involve day-to-day?

Well, you could be working on anything from political campaigns about student issues, to sitting on project boards and liaising with key university contacts to make changes with the University. The job is so empowering and rewarding, but we're not going to lie, it’s not always easy.

With Elections Nominations Period coming to an end, HISA President, Alan Simpson, tells us about his role!

 

What made you decide to apply for the role of President?

 

After a year as a part time officer I had made some big changes at Moray UHI. The student led campaign meant that the environmentally damaging packaging at the canteen was gone. We had more class reps than ever before and I worked hard to develop a class rep system that HISA owned and had control of!
 

I was new to the area and came to HISA to join clubs and make new friends, I really wanted to add to HISA and encourage more clubs and societies for other student like me that moved to the area.

 

I wanted students to feel as much ownership over HISA as possible, which led to increased engagement from all sorts of students, which is why I wanted to be President!

What are the challenges of the role?
 

It wasn't easy to study full time and work part time for HISA and achieve everything I wanted. I made the decision to pause my studies and go for HISA full time as the President so I could try and use my ambitions and experience to support all the officers across HISA and improve the student experience for everyone and I have loved it!   

 

What is the most rewarding aspect of being President?

 

My favourite part of the job is being able to take part in the high-level discussions at UHI. I help shape policy and decisions that will make student life better. Nothing moves quickly at UHI so this is equally a frustrating part of the job and with so many principals and senior staff it can tiring, but its worth all the hard work it brings!
 

What is the most FUN part of being President?

One of the best parts of being president is traveling around all the parts of UHI and seeing how different each area works- its truly inspiring! I also love working with the HISA staff, who make the place a fun, yet supportive environment to work in!

 

#HISAelects