sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers for 2024-25 05 Apr 2024
sparqs' 2024-25 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9.00am, Monday 20th May 2024! Calling all student reps! Do you have experience as a course/apprentice or other representative role? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2024-25? ....if so, and you… Read More
Course Rep Training – your plans for 2024-25 05 Apr 2024
This article is a prompt for Course Rep Training Organisers (Representation Co-ordinators and those with similar remits in colleges and universities across Scotland) to consider your plans for delivering Course Rep Training (CRT) during 2024-25, if you haven’t already done… Read More
Planning for the year ahead: a combined meeting of JAG, NEON and SESN 05 Apr 2024
Following previous successful combined events, sparqs’ three stakeholder forums will gather again in May for a joint meeting to explore sparqs' future work. On Wednesday 8th May 2024 sparqs’ Joint Advisory Group (JAG), National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) and Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) and members of our… Read More
Updated resources for Induction and Outduction of education officers 05 Apr 2024
As the turn of the academic year approaches, it’s a good time for students' associations to start thinking about plans for inducting their 2024-25 education officer(s), as well as the ‘outduction’ of those 2023-24 officer(s) about to finish their term.… Read More
Save the dates for our 2024 That’s Quality! event 05 Apr 2024
We are pleased to announce the confirmed dates for our 2024 annual induction event for student officers and students’ association staff, That’s Quality! The event will once again be split into three parts: The first part of That’s Quality! is a half-day,… Read More
Have your say: Suggest tertiary sector enhancement topics for the coming academic year 05 Apr 2024
QAA Scotland, Education Scotland, College Development Network and sparqs are working together to design a programme of improvement and enhancement activity for Scotland's tertiary education sector. We are doing this to support the work to develop Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement… Read More
sparqs' Tertiary Quality Student Expert Group 29 Feb 2024
As the sector continues to work towards developing a single tertiary approach to quality for colleges and universities, sparqs has established a Tertiary Quality Student Expert Group (TQSEG). The rationale in setting up this group was to provide a joined-up… Read More
Next SESN meeting... 19th March 2024 29 Feb 2024
A reminder that registrations are open for the next Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) meeting: Tuesday 19th March 2024 – online, 10.00am-1.00pm- see the event booking page for details and to register to attend. The meeting will take place via Zoom, from 10.00am to 1.00pm. The agenda… Read More
Understanding the art of blending - publication of a new report! 29 Feb 2024
We are pleased to announce the publication of a pioneering report on designing and delivering an effective and inclusive digital/blended learning offering in Scotland’s colleges and universities, the result of a joint ‘Tertiary Enhancement Topic’ project, instigated by the SFC… Read More
Next NEON meeting on 21st March 2024 29 Feb 2024
A reminder that registrations are open for the next National Education Officers Network (NEON) meeting: Thursday 21st March 2024 – online, 10.00am-1.00pm- see the event booking page for details and to register to attend. The meeting will take place on Zoom, from 10.00am to 1.00pm. The agenda… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Grit 29 Feb 2024
In this interview, we talk to Ellie Garraway and Jon Down, CEO and Director of Development respectively, at Grit: Breakthrough Programmes, a UK charity working across many levels of education to promote belonging, ownership and engagement in learning. Ellie has worked at… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Megan McClellan 12 Jan 2024
In this interview, we talk to Megan McClellan, former President and Vice-President (Learning and Teaching) at City of Glasgow College Students’ Association. Since the summer of 2023, following her sabbatical terms, Megan has been Policy and Public Affairs Officer for… Read More
New year round-up and team news! 12 Jan 2024
Happy new year from the sparqs team! We hope 2024 has started well for everyone and look forward to working with you all again during the coming year! 2023 was a busy year for us, following our usual hectic summer training… Read More
Update on quality arrangements for colleges 2023-24 12 Jan 2024
While the sector continues to work on a joint approach to quality for colleges and universities, for the current academic year (2023-24) quality arrangements continue to be separate. sparqs has been supporting institutions and students’ associations through these changes, ensuring students… Read More
Next SESN meetings... 13th Feb & 19th March 2024 12 Jan 2024
Registrations are now open for the following two Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) meetings: Tuesday 13th February 2024 – online, 10.00am-1.00pm- see the event booking page for details and to register to attend. Tuesday 19th March 2024 – online, 10.00am-1.00pm- see the event booking page for details and… Read More
Next NEON meetings on 15th February and 21st March 2024 12 Jan 2024
Registrations are now open for the following two National Education Officers Network (NEON) meetings: Thursday 15th February 2024 – online, 10.00am-1.00pm- see the event booking page for details and to register to attend. Thursday 21st March 2024 – online, 10.00am-1.00pm- see the event booking page for details and… Read More
