Academic Representation Officer

Who is an Academic Representation Officer?

Hi, I’m your go-to advocate for a better academic journey at Portsmouth! Whatever academic issue you might be experiencing, feel free to reach out to me 😊

Who is Marija?

E-mail copied

• Uncapped Resits: After a lot of hard work, we successfully passed uncapped resits at both the University Executive Student Experience Committee (UESEC) and the Academic Council. This has given students a second chance without the fear of having their marks capped, helping to reduce stress and allow everyone to perform to their full potential. :)

• Course Rep System Restructuring: I led the effort to restructure the course rep system, making it easier for student feedback to be heard and acted on. Starting upcomig academic year, student reps will be better supported, and the whole process more streamlined, ensuring your concerns and suggestions are truly listened to.

• Enhanced Transparency: To keep everyone in the loop, I coded a new Officer’s update page, making it easier to follow what’s happening in the Union. I also created a new Board of Trustees webpage, so now you can see exactly who’s leading the Union and how decisions are made—total transparency!

• Student Voice Training at London Campus: I delivered training for new lecturers at our London Campus, helping them understand the importance of listening to students and incorporating feedback into their teaching. This has ensured that student voice is just as strong in London as it is in Portsmouth.

• Addressing the Awarding Gap: I focused a lot on tackling the awarding gap, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to succeed. We’ve introduced better support for students who were considering withdrawing, keeping more people engaged and motivated to complete their studies.

• Uncovering Hidden Learning Costs: I also worked on identifying hidden learning costs in each academic course, making sure students know exactly what expenses to expect, so they can budget more effectively and aren’t hit with surprise costs.

• Monthly Q&A Drop-ins: I’ve started and held monthly Q&A sessions where students could drop in, ask questions, and share feedback. These sessions helped me stay in touch with what’s important to you, and it’s been great to have those direct conversations.

• Meeting Stephen Morgan MP: Together with other Elected Officers, I met with Stephen Morgan, and we took a tour of Westminster, discussing key student issues like the Maintenance Grant. It was a fantastic opportunity to advocate for better financial support for students, and I’m hopeful this will bring about real change.

• Cost of Living Support: I developed a Cost of Living Support Booklet, which will hopefully be helpful for students struggling with financial pressures. It’s full of practical tips, resources, and ways to make ends meet during tough times. I also developed a Student Cookbook, with lots of budget friendly recipes! P.S. I also graphically desined both ;)

• Some Other Projects: I've also been working on curriculum diversification which turned into an Incusivity Standards project; having a permanent Calm Space in either the Library or the Union bilding; Mini Modules, which is also a student-partnership project; and unpicking problems that withdrawing students experience in the focus group with Student Engagement Officers (SEOs).