Emmanuel Haruna - My experience as President and Education Officer at the HSU
Emmanuel Haruna
Nigerian international student Emmanuel Haruna came to the University of Huddersfield to study a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Engineering with Management.
During this time, he became involved with the Students’ Union, running for a sabbatical position as the Education Officer and then as the Students’ Union President.
“My first contact with the Students’ Union was when I was acting as an academic representative for my course. A year after my arrival as a student in the UK, I saw the opportunity to give back to the system that had positively contributed to my development, so I took part in the Students’ Union elections and was elected as Education Officer.
As Education Officer, I worked on many projects including a peer mentoring project to increase the availability of peer-to-peer support across campus, and I also contributed to raising over £1,500 for local charities. I worked on a policy review and amendment to improve students’ academic experience, which I was particularly happy to see implemented across the University.
I had the opportunity to work with academics across campus on various projects. Working with students, and seeing the help and support they gained from my work, contributed to my decision to continue with the Students’ Union, and I was elected as the Students’ Union President.
When I was elected as SU President, it was very exciting. I felt I still had a lot to offer and the fact that students trusted me to represent them for a second term, in a higher capacity as President, fuelled my determination to give my very best and truly make a difference in the lives of students.
The role of SU President at the Huddersfield Students’ Union is hard to summarise, as it can be very complex. You are an elected representative, a company director, a charity trustee and deputy chair of the Union board, however you’re also a paid employee working closely with the chief executive and senior managers to deliver the Union’s strategy. The role also necessitates election on to University Council as an independent Governor and also to act as the student representative on the Council.
My days were usually filled with meetings at all levels of the institution, from the University Council, Senate and School boards to Union board and internal committees. I also ran various student focused campaigns and co-delivered talks at Open Days with the Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Some of the experiences I had in the role included campaigning and fighting for students’ rights, both locally and nationally with tangible results, delivering valedictory speeches to graduating students and leading the delegation from Huddersfield University to NUS National Conference. I also lead on a national campaign against essay mills, aiming to secure the introduction of legislation to stop them exploiting vulnerable students in the UK. An essay mills prohibition bill has now been introduced in parliament as a result of the contributions of that work.
I was privileged to meet and work with icons and top public figures like Patrick Stewart, the Duchess of York, the Mayor of Kirklees. I can say I have truly had remarkable experiences of a lifetime.
I have had several standout moments during my time as Education Officer and SU President but seeing the smiles on students’ faces as a result of the contributions of my work remains at the top for me.
Some of my top moments from my experience with the Students’ Union must include the two Election Result Nights when I was elected as Education Officer and then President the following year. I am also proud of the work I did when planning and delivering a Kirklees wide carol concert in partnership with the Mayor of Kirklees, where we raised over £1,000 for Kirkwood Hospice and the local RSPCA. I also feel proud to have inspired people during Graduation through the speeches I delivered, and when I presented a deputation at Kirklees Council on behalf of Kirklees youth.
I hope to use my experience as the SU President to give back to the community in the future. I hope to do this by using my leadership and management experience and qualities that I have developed, as well as the rich and valuable network of friends and colleagues. I am already currently volunteering as a school governor with Impact Education Multi Academy Trust, and with two groups with the Quality Assurance Agency – the Student Strategic Advisory Committee and the Academic Integrity Advisory Group.
I have enjoyed representing all students, in regards to quality, fair and accessible education and a good student experience.”
Emmanuel Haruna
Education Officer July 2018 - July 2019 - Huddersfield Students’ Union
Students’ Union President July 2019 – July 2020 - Huddersfield Students’ Union
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