Raiyan Rahman | Education Officer

He/Him

Who is an Education Officer?

Hello hello! I’m Raiyan, and it’s an absolute pleasure to be your Education Officer.
If you’re not getting the academic support you need or have spotted something your faculty or even the whole uni could do better, come and have a chat with me.
Day to day, I get to work on my manifesto points to improve your university experience, including an academic help desk in the Library (update: it’s already on the way!). I also work with students, UPSU and the University to make sure your voices are heard where academic decisions are made.
Alongside our brilliant Union Advice team, I can also support students with complex academic cases when needed. So, if things get complicated, come to us and we’ll “lawyer up” for you. Academically speaking, of course.

Who is Raiyan?

• I graduated from Portsmouth with a Distinction in MSc Data Analytics, so I’m fairly nerdy, very analytical and perhaps a little too excited by problems that need solving!
• While studying here, I worked in five different roles across the uni including IT and Reslife. Before that, I taught Computer Science for more than six years. Those experiences continue to shape what I want to get done in this role.
• Outside the serious stuff, I love evening walks along the seafront with some chilled music, Portsmouth weather permitting.
• I’m a big fan of planning trips, exploring new places and trying food from around the world.
• At heart, I’m happiest when I can make the people around me smile. :)

Manifesto Pledges

Pledge 1: Academic helpdesk at the Library

Academic help often matters most when you’re already in the Library and a deadline is looming! Update: this was the quickest pledge to get moving and is already underway. I’m working with the University now to shape the details.

Pledge 2: Flexible Timetables

A flexible timetable makes it easier to balance studying, work and life outside uni. I’m working with the University to expand block and condensed timetabling where it benefits students.

Pledge 3: Peer Study Network

No student should fall behind because they haven’t found their people at uni. I’m developing a network that helps coursemates connect, support one another and learn together.

Pledge 4: Weekly Drop-in hours

Getting help shouldn’t mean chasing endless emails. I’m pushing for clearer, more consistent weekly opportunities for students to speak directly with their lecturers.

Pledge 5: Share your academic issues with UPSU

I’ve already helped resolve several complex academic cases alongside our brilliant Advice team. I’m building on this through bookable drop-ins where we can discuss your issue and work out the next step together.

For most student cases, including ECFs, academic appeals, complaints, policies or general support, our brilliant Union Advice team is the right place to start. They can advise you directly or connect you with the right service.

Book a meeting with me if you’ve already sought support but a complex issue has hit a brick wall, or if your experience points to a wider change needed across your faculty or the University.

Click to view Raiyan's Work Updates

•The Academic Help Desk is already taking shape. I’ve pushed this pledge forward and am now designing the details with University colleagues who are also working towards this vision, aiming to launch it in the Library for the next teaching block.

•Supporting an Iranian student through financial hardship: When conflict left a student unable to access money for tuition fees, I helped bring the relevant teams together. A more manageable payment plan and additional hardship support were agreed.

•Correcting an unfair assignment outcome: A submission to the wrong dropbox was mistakenly marked as a fail while the student was facing a devastating family bereavement. After sustained follow-up, the University agreed to assess the correct submission.

•Helping secure a well-earned Distinction: Serious illness affected a student’s early results, leaving them less than one percentage point short. With support from our Advice team, their appeal was upheld and they received the Distinction.