We are pleased to announce our NEON and SESN plans for the year... save the dates for the relevant network and book now for December's NEON...
NEON
The National Education Officer’s Network (NEON) is designed as an ongoing training, development, and networking space for Scotland’s student officers. NEON is a space for student officers to learn more about the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) and how to achieve their goals, as well as a space to discuss ongoing topics of relevance to student officers.
There are four NEON meetings in Academic Year 2025-26. In addition, there is a NEON mailing list, which officers can use to contact each other and share information (as well as receive occasional updates from sparqs) - https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/sparqsNEON.
The network is open to education and representation elected officers in universities and colleges, with a remit in academic representation and education. Typically, this would include officers with a title like “President” or “Vice-President Education” but may include other role titles as well.
NEON meetings are scheduled online (Zoom) from 10.00am to 1.00pm on the following dates, the first of which is open to book:
- Tuesday 28th October 2025 - online, 10.00am-1.00pm
- see the event page for further details and the materials from the session. - Wednesday 17th December 2025 - online, 10.30am-12.15pm
- see the event booking page for further details and to register to attend. - Thursday 5th March 2026 - online, 10.00am-1.00pm
- bookings will open nearer the time. - Tuesday 12th May 2026 - 10.00am-3.00pm at QMU - joint, in-person event along with SESN colleagues and members of STAG (sparqs Tertiary Advisory Group)
- bookings will open nearer the time.
sparqs wants to ensure that officers have access to ongoing training and support throughout the year, as well as a space to network and talk about topics of shared priority. This is an important way to expand on what you’ve already learned at That's Quality! and to continue developing your skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. It’s also an excellent way to stay connected to other student officers throughout the year.
For any further information, please get in touch with Chase Greenfield, Development Consultant – chase.greenfield@sparqs.ac.uk.
SESN
The Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) is back for academic year 2025-26. Make sure you save the dates in your diary! The online meetings will all take place via Zoom, beginning at 10.00am. The October meeting has now taken place and the others will be opened for bookings nearer the time.
- Thursday 23rd October 2025 – online, 10.00am-12.30pm
- see the event page for further details and materials from the session. - Thursday 27th November 2025 – online, 10.00am-12noon
- see the event page for further details and materials from the session. - Thursday 12th February 2026 – online, 10.00am-12noon
- bookings will open nearer the time. - Tuesday 12th May 2026 - 10.00am-3.00pm at QMU - joint, in-person event along with NEON colleagues and members of STAG (sparqs Tertiary Advisory Group)
- bookings will open nearer the time.
The agendas will be circulated closer to the dates and they will reflect current developments in student engagement. The network is open for staff in colleges and universities with student engagement and academic representation development roles.
You can keep in touch with the whole network by signing up to our SESN JiscMail (https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/sparqsSESN).
We would like to get your thoughts on what you would like to learn/discuss/explore this year. Please complete this short questionnaire to tell us your ideas.
SESN is a great way to keep in touch with colleagues working in similar roles in other Scottish institutions and students’ associations, and also to discuss latest updates from the sector, so make sure to sign up and note the dates in your calendar! We are also keen to learn more about what practices you implement in your role and institution, so if you would like to share examples of student engagement activities, best practice, or suggest other topics for SESN meetings, please let us know by emailing Amy at amy.monks@sparqs.ac.uk.
For any further information, please get in touch with Amy Monks, Development Consultant - amy.monks@sparqs.ac.uk.