Aliyah Hossanee is one of five candidates running for the heavily contested VP education position.
The role of VP Education is to advocate for students on an academic front and make sure they get a good learning experience. They also manage all the union work that goes into this.
Her experience
Aliyah is a 2nd-year English Studies and Religion student at Stirling, and a MENA (Middle Eastern and North African Society) committee member.
“I’m already Faculty Officer for Literature and Languages on campus, so I think being in the department helps my understanding of what issues we are facing, or have been for a while,” she says.
“I thought this was a perfect opportunity for me to try and fix them.”
Her manifesto
Aliyah wants to focus on giving a platform to students who have been underrepresented academically, particularly ‘women, international students, POC minorities, LGBTQ+, and those with accessible needs.’
“I want to represent my own community, and better my own experience. But that’s not all I want to do.
“If I show up for a set of people, I also show up for the rest,” she says.
What do you want to do?
Aliyah also wants to run referencing and citation workshops to encourage students to be authentic. She also plans to “enhance the student-faculty relationships”, like supporting and encouraging module representatives and faculty officers.
She plans to enhance employability workshops, focusing on ‘underrepresented groups’ such as Scottish POCs, international and mature students seeking jobs. Aliyah also wants to work directly with university faculty to make lectures more accessible.
“If I can get people inspired to do something, to approach their lecturers, faculty officers, or approach me to bring forth an idea, I can open that door.
“I would encourage people to make your education worthwhile, make it something meaningful to you.
“As long as it benefits everyone at the end of the day, let’s go for it.”
Featured Image Credit: Aliyah Hossanee
