Hi everyone, and welcome to the third edition of th KSU President blog 2025/26!
September has been one of the busiest months so far, from high-level university meetings to an action-packed Freshers’ Week that welcomed thousands of you to Kingston. In this blog, I’ll share the progress we’ve made this month, key meetings I’ve attended, and, of course, the highlights of Freshers’ Week. I’ll also give you a quick look ahead at what’s coming up in October
This blog remains part of my commitment to making your Union more transparent and accountable, so you know exactly what your Students' Union is doing to represent your interests.
Meeting with the University Secretary
I met with Adrian Parry, the University Secretary, who manages the Board of Governors and its relationship with the university’s executive team. This was an important discussion about my responsibilities as a student governor and the expectations we both hold. I also requested his support in encouraging the Vice Chancellor to attend our Freshers’ Fair, and I’m pleased to say he was able to make that happen. More on that later in the blog.
Governors’ Training with Advance HE
On 3rd September, I attended the Advance HE Governors’ Training alongside other student presidents and university governors from across the UK. Being a Student Governor for the university is a really important role, making sure students' interests are represented at the highest level of governance across the university. The training was a real eye-opener, highlighting the authority governors hold within universities: setting annual budgets, overseeing Students’ Unions, and holding Vice Chancellors accountable. It reminded me of the importance of my role at the governing body table and the responsibility I carry to represent your voices effectively.
KSU’s Role at Graduation Ceremonies
One of the things I noticed when I became a KSU Student Officer is that student representation is missing at graduation ceremonies. This didn’t sit right with me as graduates deserve to hear directly from their SU, thanking them for making KU such a vibrant community. I met with Alex Neal, Student Lifecycle Manager, to explore how we can change this. Alex was very supportive of my proposal that the President or Vice Presidents should have a speaking role at graduations. While this is still being finalised, I’m confident that future ceremonies will include your Students' Union representing you on stage.
Manifesto Objectives Update:
As you may all know. I am actively working on three key manifesto objectives, each with three specific subgoals, totalling nine subgoals altogether. These are:
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International student finances - reduce the prevalence of financial pressures experienced by international students.
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Health - have an Active Bystander & Student Support Initiative set-up in partnership between KSU and KU, aimed at student empowerment, reducing sexual harassment, and eradicating period poverty.
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Student Voice - at least 80% of students to feel confident that their academic interests have been represented by KSU and that 80% feel equipped and confident for their future.
I'm proud to announce that I've successfully fulfilled one of my commitments: providing free menstrual products to all female students. These products are now available in the toilets and can be collected at the student union reception. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to deliver on our promises!
Public Speaking Training with Wonkhe
In September, we also had a public speaking training day with Jim Dickinson from Wonkhe. The session was intense but fun as we practiced introductions, delivered short speeches, and (thanks to Jim) re-did them again and again until we got it right! It was a valuable experience, and I feel far more confident now about addressing larger audiences, such as the induction sessions I attended and gave talks to our wonderful new students.
Societies and Sports Clubs Training
On 18th September, we ran a full-day training event for our societies and sports clubs leaders. Over 80+ student leaders joined us for nine sessions covering leadership, event planning, finance, and student representation. Myself, CK, and Ckyra opened the day, but the real credit goes to Henry (Societies Coordinator) and Tereza (Sports Coordinator) for designing and leading most of the training. I’m already looking forward to attending as many of your society and sports events as possible throughout the year.
Freshers’ Week 2025
From 22nd to 29th September, Kingston came alive with our biggest Freshers’ Week yet. During the week, we organised 15+ events, many of which sold out, with queues stretching down alleyways. We welcomed over 5,000+ students, making this one of the most successful and engaging Freshers’ Weeks we’ve ever had. I want to thank every single student who came along. Your energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the year ahead.
Freshers’ Fair and the Vice Chancellor’s Tour
Of course, no Freshers’ Week would be complete without the Freshers’ Fair. On 24th September, over 2,300 students packed into Penrhyn Road to meet societies, sports clubs, and local partners. The energy was incredible, and it was a privilege to see so many of you engaging with your Students’ Union. One highlight was giving a tour of the fair to Vice Chancellor Steven Spier, who was very impressed by the scale of the event and the passion of our student leaders. He spoke with several society and sports club committees and left with a very positive view of the work we are doing.
SU Talks at Induction Sessions
During Freshers’ Week, my team and I also attended around 13 induction sessions, reaching more than 2,000 new students. These talks were an opportunity to introduce the Union, explain the services we offer, and answer students’ questions. What stood out this year was how engaged and curious students were, asking thoughtful questions about how to get involved. We’ll be continuing induction talks into early October, and I’m excited to keep meeting more of you.
What’s Happening in October
October is shaping up to be another busy month. Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming up:
I’ll report back on all of this in next month’s blog.
That’s all for September! Thank you again for engaging with your Union whether at Freshers’ events, induction sessions, or by sharing your feedback. Together, we’re building a stronger, more transparent, and more connected student community.