The International Student Platform
The International Student Platform (ISP) is an advisory committee to the Student Council of the VUB. They represent the interests of international students and take on any issues students may face as while studying abroad. Ultimately, they are here to improve student life and to enhance the experience of being a student. Each year the ISP elects a new board.
Students interested in becoming members need to write a short motivation, stating their level and field of study, and country of origin. As their role will be to represent other international students, they should state how their contributions will enhance the lives of VUB students. All applications must be submitted by 14 October 2016 via the MY.VUB online form. A selection will be made by the International Relations and Mobility Office (IRMO) and two student council members who serve as a liaison to the ISP. All decisions have to be approved by the Student Council.
The Study Programme Committee
The Study Programme Committee is in charge of the development of the study programme and curriculum. Giving students a voice is crucial: timetables, exam schedules, study load, course relevance, quality of learning, programme evaluation, should all reflect the evolving needs and circumstances of students. Joining the Study Programme Committee is an opportunity to get a glimpse backstage, and to help develop a vision inside the student’s own faculty. Members will learn to debate, negotiate and find compromises at an academic and social context. Not to mention having the chance to meet a lot of interesting people along the way. Applications must be submitted before 10 October at 09:00.
Joke Kuijk (Faculty of Medicine), Rigoberta Mejia Sian (Education) and Jonas Verhellen (Physics & Astronomy) act as student representatives for their Education Council. They are motivated to share their stories with you.
Tell me, why would you ask your fellow students to join?
Joke: "The Education Council is the place where you can achieve the fastest changes when it comes to your education preferences. Student representatives will have the opportunity to affect all the main protagonists. Their input is generally always sincerely appreciated. "
Rigoberta: "We are all change experts and we all have an opinion about the education system at the VUB. We advise you to not stay on the sidelines and talk to us! Share your insights and work together with others to make your faculty programme even better for you. The benefits will not only be yours, but will also help the next generation of students."
What issues did you work on?
Joke: "Curriculum changes, examination schedules, training plans, and medical education in general."
Rigoberta: "I got the chance to have input into the process of evaluation of the programme. This has led to adjustments to better adapt the programme to the needs of the students.”
What are some of your best achievements as student representatives?
Joke: "Optimal exam schedules, less (unnecessary) classes, better information from the faculty and training, change of subjects and curriculum content, and more.”
Jonas: "The best change I achieved as a student representative was reform of the curriculum for the first years of our training. This is something our Master students will always remember. "
Are you applying as candidates again?
Jonas: "Absolutely! At the end of this year it will be time to pass the torch, so I'm really looking forward to helping the new generation of student representatives contribute to their first meetings and decisions as members. They are ultimately the future of our education! "
Joke: "Certainly, our work is never done (laughs)!"
Applications can be submitted via MY.VUB by student login. More information on applications is available on the MY.VUB pages.