A new academic year sees a new team at HISA Perth!
HISA (Highlands and Islands Students’ Association) is YOUR students association and represents you at a regional level as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands as well as a local level here at Perth College UHI.
Here is some more about this year's team, their plans for the year and how you can get involved.
Alex Wilson – Perth President
Started BA(Hons) Business and Management with Human Resources, Year 4.
“I got involved with HISA by becoming a class rep last year - prior to this I did not have any knowledge of what HISA was or what it did. I decided to become a class rep because there had been recurring issues that were reported to previous class reps that were not being solved and I wanted to change that to make sure any issues raised by the students in my class were escalated. My role is to ensure all students within Perth College UHI have an enjoyable student experience with my main aim being to ensure the college is inclusive and safe for all students, regardless of their background.”
Michaela Asisten – VP Activities and Welfare
Started BA(Hons) Business and Management, Year 4
“I was the Vice President of Education and Engagement 2019/20 but decided to run for VP Activities and Welfare as I want to help as many students as I can, but also be able to improve the student experience by sharing various opportunities and working on what events we need for our students.
“My role is to support all clubs and societies, whether they are currently set up or helping students who want to set up a new one. I am also responsible for the welfare of students. My aim is to ensure activities and events are varied and accessible for all.”
Cameron Murray – VP Education and Engagement
Started BA(Hons) Audio Engineering, Year 4
“I chose to get involved with HISA due to the large amount of complaining myself and my fellow classmates have made in our three years as students! I thought I might as well put all that to practice and actually try to make a difference to the student experience.
“My role is to ensure there is a high level of engagement between students and HISA Perth, encouraging the importance of the class rep role and supporting class reps so that they are able to ask and receive feedback from students and get a lot out of the experience. My aim is to increase opportunities for students to get involved with HISA Perth.”
The HISA Perth team have already made plans on what they want to achieve individually and as a team during academic year 2020/2021.
Alex, as your HISA Perth President, wants to:
Ensure that students recognise the importance of mental health and are supported by their students’ association;
All students, regardless of where they are from or how they identify, can participate fully in college whether it be through their learning or extra-curricular activity;
Every student at Perth College UHI feels their voice matters and that they are heard by their students’ association and that every student at Perth College UHI knows what is happening across the college.
Michaela, as your VP Activities and Welfare, wants to:
Create opportunities for students to engage with each other that is accessible, available and inclusive to all, has variety, and creates a friendly culture on campus and an environment of student collaboration;
Introduce international students to Scottish culture and integrate them into college life;
Ensure students have opportunities and resources available to help improve their welfare and wellbeing
Perth College UHI has a range of sports clubs and societies that are fully supported by HISA Perth.
Cameron, as your VP Education and Engagement, wants to:
Ensure that students are able to use VLEs and are able to find everything they need in order to learn;
More students are encouraged to volunteer with HISA Perth through new and improved opportunities;
Perth College UHI students feel comfortable working from home and with blending learning;
Students can contribute ideas to improve their college experience and utilise ideas for student from students.
As a team, HISA Perth are focusing on the following goals:
Perth Partnership Project – creation of an action plan in partnership with Perth College UHI committees and students, utilising all feedback given in consultation and keeping students regularly updated on the progress of the project.
Class Reps – Support in the recruitment of reps, developing and delivering training with the Perth College UHI Quality Team and reviewing SRC meetings so they are in a format that suits students and take place regularly.
Black Lives Matter – work in partnership with Perth College UHI and students to develop ways in which we can work on this across the college.
HISA Perth have already made some plans to host events during the following days:
Freshers (September)
Refreshers (January/February)
Our annual Outstanding Best Inspiring (OBI) Awards (March-May).
Black History Month
GYST (Get Yourself Together)
Burns Day
LGBTQ History Month
Women’s History Month
Mental Health Awareness Week.
These are just some of the events that will be included in our calendar for the year with more to be announced.
Students can get involved with HISA Perth through a variety of ways, including:
Volunteering at HISA Perth activities and events, or even helping us organise one
Being a class rep (speak to your PAT or tutor for more information)
Join a club or society or create your own!
Filling in surveys that we send out
By giving us suggestions or comments on anything in and around the college
You can even run for elections in March to be part of the next #TeamHISAPerth
We can be contacted through our social media accounts: Facebook (@HisaPerth), Instagram (@Hisa_Perth) and Twitter (@HisaPerth). Our email is hisa.perth@uhi.ac.uk, in normal circumstances, we are based in the Webster Building (building between Goodlyburn and Brahan). We are currently working from home but will hopefully be back on campus soon.
