To Whom it may concern
Mr./ Me Chairman, Current Union Executives, Colleague Aspirants, Fellow Students of Derby University
My name is Pieter van Ellewee, and I am a second year Masters in Education student. I have finished my IPGCE through Derby .I am from South Africa and currently residing in Beijing, China. I stand for the Union Education Council Chair for a next term, and I'd like to explain why I think I would be a good Union Education Council Chair for our Union at Derby. Before I immigrated to China, I was a learning and development manager for ten years. One of the significant roles I was responsible for was the development of School leavers and helping them establish a career path in specific industries. In addition, I ran two training academies for my employers and saw how these students developed and shaped their future; assisting them is a passion for me. This was also the reason for starting my International Education path, where I could help build my career with continuous development but the paths of others. I have various qualifications and certificates which enable me to assist anyone in achieving that goal. I am currently one of the student Reps for the PGCIE Program , where my fellow student reps work together to help enhance our program and assist my fellow peers in making their university experience a smooth and pleasant journey.I was also elected as the Union Education Council Chair where i started with projects during my term and would like to continue making a differance for my peers and the students i am representing in all aspects.The Union council has been mandated by the Derby University Student body to represent all spheres of student governance. This means all interaction between the Union and the administration should have the student's best interest at its core. As an Education Council Chair, there needs to be a channel for the students and the University. My vision is to improve the efficiency and transparency of the Education Union, as I am a Postgraduate Student and want to be part of that voice. What do I mean? Like being the person who lays down the plan towards an objective, which makes the key and critical decisions that change the system on the ground; also make sure that we as postgraduate students get involved with projects and make sure that there is a collaboration between all the students
Mr Chairman, I'm passionate about record keeping and the society we live in, the University. I've loved getting involved in everything in and around the University. I want to contribute all I can to carry on giving the excellent service we've had. As a postgraduate student, I want to represent my peers and be a spokesman for them and assist them with challenges and opportunities they may face
I'm a good team player who can contribute to the group or team. And I also work very well under little or no supervision. So, I'd be keen to build a good repoll with other executives of the Union and continue to make the Union the best it can be.
In my role as an Education Union at Derby, one of my primary goals is to ensure that all students feel included and well-informed about the processes of their studies, particularly during this Pandemic period; the policies in place at the University that provide adequate support, and activities that can provide them with the best research experience possible while at Derby. I also aim for a natural development progression for every student as I am busy achieving going into my second year at Derby. My aims include representing the values we adopt at the University, not only in an educational context but as an organization in general. I believe that by adhering to these principles, we can deliver the highest educational content standards, create positive experiences for all our stakeholders and realize the potential of anyone who encounters Derby University. These values are at the heart of what I stand for. I aim for every student who leaves the University programs with new-found expertise and enthusiasm to plan the following stages of their education with confidence. I'm not your typical student, nights out aren't for me, but these sorts of roles and positions are much more in line with my interests. Therefore, I promise to do my best and ensure the student body is represented as best as possible if you vote for me!
My aims:
- Hear the voices of students through the educational councils, academic boards as well as the Union for education team and represent these voices professionally
- Lead the team of PTOs for Education effectively and ensure they each can have a voice & time to discuss issues with me & others
- In addition, serving as a central point of contact for students with concerns about their academic and social activities is also a responsibility.
- Promote an environment of continuous development for all the students in the University.
- Ensure student perspectives are heard on challenges or issues that are important to them.
- Ascertain that students are aware of all the resources available to them through the University to have a fruitful student experience, including workspaces, virtual hubs, teams, contacts, research seminars, teaching, careers, webinars, everchanging and growing job opportunities, mentors, and tutors, among other things
- A working and effective communication management system between the Educational Chair office, departments, and students in terms of enrolment, training needs and project deadlines, requirements for upgrading, concur with the module audit findings and feedback and adequate information for international students should be established and maintained.
If elected to office, I will promote the Union to make it more inclusive and enhance everyone's experience as a student at Derby University. My administration will be approachable and open to all suggestions and comments. Furthermore, I will ensure that all the changes will be fair.
In my term of office, I would seek to find solutions to problems voiced by you – in every sphere. Of course, we might not be able to change the system rapidly, but I will at least strive to have a clear goal.
Make me your choice for Union Education Chair because I understand your opinion matters. Because behind that opinion is a student that demands representation, and behind that representation should be one unified Union at Derby.
Thank you for giving me a chance
Regards
Pieter van Ellewee