Xiaohongshu
Hi everyone! My name is Ayesha Yaqoob, I study MSc Cardiovascular Science, and I serve as the PGT Faculty Rep for the Faculty of Population Health Sciences as well as the Lead Departmental Rep for the Institute of Cardiovascular Science. I am also a Chevening Scholar from Pakistan, one of the UK's most prestigious international scholarships, and it is precisely the values of leadership, community, and impact that Chevening instils that drew me towards becoming an Academic Rep from the very beginning.
I was motivated to take on these roles because I wanted to play an active part in improving the student experience, particularly in an environment as diverse and academically demanding as UCL. As a postgraduate and international student myself, I recognised that many students can sometimes feel unheard or unsure about how to raise concerns, and I wanted to help bridge that gap between students and staff.
Since stepping into these roles, I have worked closely with Lead Department Representatives and students to gather and represent feedback across programmes. One of the most meaningful experiences has been supporting students through exam-related concerns, working with module leads to communicate issues and help facilitate timely resolutions. Seeing those concerns acknowledged and addressed really reinforced for me just how important effective student representation is, and how much of a difference a strong student voice can make.
Beyond advocacy, I have also been involved in organising and supporting student engagement activities within the department, helping to foster a more inclusive and connected environment. This feels especially important for postgraduate and international students, who can sometimes experience isolation, and it has been incredibly rewarding to contribute towards building a genuine sense of community.
Attending Academic Board meetings as part of the UCL Students' Union has been another real highlight. Being in that space, where student voices directly inform academic decision-making at an institutional level, has been both eye-opening and empowering. It has provided a platform to represent student perspectives at the highest level, while also connecting with Reps across faculties, exchanging ideas, and learning from an incredibly diverse range of experiences.
Overall, being a Rep has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my time at UCL. It has helped me grow as a communicator and leader, while allowing me to make a meaningful impact within my faculty. I am deeply honored to have been named Academic Rep of the Year for the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, a recognition that means the world to me and truly reflects the incredible students I have had the privilege of representing. If you are considering running for Rep, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to go for it; it is a brilliant opportunity to grow, connect, and truly make a difference in the student experience.
If you have a story about your time as a rep this year that you would like to share it, we'd love to hear from you! Please just send us an email ([email protected]) with a little introduction and your story so we can feature it here as well as in the Newsletter!