WHO AM I?
Hi folks! I’m Deivydas and I’m currently in the master’s year of my Chemistry degree. Throughout my time at QUB, I’ve been involved in many activities at the Students’ Union.
I’ve been a Course Representative for three years, advocating for the needs and concerns of my fellow students and ensuring that your voices are heard and respected in university affairs. Additionally, I’ve represented your views through participating in the Student Council i.e. passing policies, campaigning for change, and assisting with events/campaigns.
I’ve developed an understanding of the challenges faced by international students as a Go Global Ambassador and a prior participant of the Erasmus and International Buddy schemes.
Beyond academics, I’ve been on the executive committee of the iLive Leadership society, performed with the Chinese Lion Dance society and participated in a real-life consultancy Innovation Bootcamp.
Through my diverse set of experiences, I’ve developed a broad perspective on the issues affecting our community. With this insight, I am dedicated to advocating for an inclusive environment where every student's voice is heard andensuring that you can thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
WHY AM I RUNNING?
I’m running because I have personally felt the stress and pressure that impending deadlines can inflict on a person, and I recognise the toll that these can take on mental health and academic performance.
I’ve realised that I'm sadly not alone in this experience; I've seen my peers grapple with burnout, and I'm determined to prevent others from facing similar difficulties and hardships.
My focus is to prioritise you, the students, so that you can achieve long-term success without having to sacrifice your well-being. I’m motivated to make a real difference by pressing for policies that promote a healthier balance between academic rigor and personal wellness.
WHAT DO I AIM TO ACHIEVE?
As your undergraduate student officer, I pledge to champion initiatives that prioritize your well-being and academic success.
Eliminating Overwhelming Deadlines:
I will work to advocate for the revision of assignment deadlines, aiming to distribute them evenly across the academic year to create a more manageable workload.
Implementing Spaced Exams:
I will push for the introduction of standardised spacing between exams to alleviate the pressure experienced during these periods. Implementation of a standardised exam schedule will help reduce exam anxiety, aid preparation, and ultimately improve academic performance.
Streamlining the Placement Process:
I will collaborate with university outreach programs to streamline the process of finding placements for students. By facilitating easier access to placements, you will be more easily able to gain valuable hands-on experience that will directly enhance your employability and career prospects.
Promotion of Healthy Work-Life Balance:
I will advocate for policies that promote a healthy work-life balance. This includes ensuring that you have sufficient time for academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and personal well-being through initiatives such as flexible scheduling of tutorials and workshops.
Consent and Disclosure Training for University Staff:
I will work to ensure that university staff receive the appropriate training on consent and disclosure. These programs will specifically focus on educating staff members on handling sensitive issues, so that they are well-equipped with the necessary skills to provide you with professional support during office hours.
Amplification of Student Voice:
I will fight for your voice to be heard and ensure that your concerns are acknowledged and acted upon by university authorities. I will actively seek out your feedback and endeavour to strengthen student representation.