A Cranfield University student, Siobhán McGrath, has taken on two roles in European Higher Education, giving her a unique opportunity to voice the opinions of higher education students in the UK and young engineers in Europe.
Siobhán, a PhD student, has been elected Secretary General of EYE, (European Young Engineers). The network of young engineering professionals and students sharing knowledge encourages mobility and development of personal and professional skills in its members. Siobhán aims to encourage young engineers to become members of, and volunteer for, professional engineering institutions.
She commented: “Becoming a member of a professional engineering institution is an essential part of being an engineer. Membership gives you the opportunity to be part of a community committed to excellence in the engineering profession. Volunteering allows you to develop both professionally and personally, gaining skills and experience to be a better engineer.”
In addition, she has been named as one of a panel of 20 students on the Higher Education Academy’s (HEA) new Student Advisory Forum.
The HEA’s Student Advisory Forum gives the student panel a voice in the HEA’s activities with and for students. Feeding into the HEA’s Senior Management Team, Forum members influence how the organisation works with students, advising on teaching, the curriculum, assessment and feedback. With the HEA they explore aspects which directly affect the student learning experience.
Siobhán said: “Through my role on the HEA’s Student Advisory Forum, I hope to contribute to improving the quality of learning, and employability skills development, for both taught and research students at UK universities.”
Professor Philippa Levy, the HEA’s Deputy Chief Executive (Academic), said: “We were delighted at the response we had from students, and the depth of understanding that many already have about higher education policy. What’s so exciting for us is the level of commitment and enthusiasm our Forum members show for enhancing the learning experience of all students, not just those on their course, or even at their institution, but students right across the UK.
“The HEA is committed to working in partnership with students to enhance learning and teaching in higher education. Our Student Advisory Forum is an excellent opportunity for us to work even more closely with students on many areas of our work that have direct implications for HE students across the UK.”