Launch of sparqs' Education Officers' Network - first meeting 14th November 2019 10 Oct 2019
We are excited to announce the launch of the new sparqs’ Education Officers’ Network, which will provide an opportunity for officers from colleges and universities across Scotland to discuss and work on key sector issues together. The first meeting is taking place… Read More
ARC becomes SESN – and is open for registrations! 10 Oct 2019
We’re pleased to introduce our Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) as the new name for our Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network (ARC) – and to open registration for our next gathering, on Tuesday 19th November 2019 at Dundee University Students’ Association. Over… Read More
New chairs of sparqs' College and University Advisory Groups 10 Oct 2019
We are delighted to announce the appointments of new chairs for two key bodies within sparqs’ governance structure. Roddy Henry, Depute Principal (Planning and Student Experience) at Inverness College UHI, and Prof Tina Harrison, Assistant Principal (Academic Standards and Quality… Read More
Welcome to our new Development Consultants! 10 Oct 2019
We are pleased to have recently welcomed two new Development Consultants to the sparqs team, Megan Brown and Justin Walker. Between them they bring a great balance of both experience and knowledge, which will complement the existing strengths of our… Read More
sparqs' Course Rep Training... are you reaching your Apprentices and senior phase school pupils? 10 Oct 2019
A reminder that bookings are open for sparqs Course Rep Training during 2019-20 and also a reminder about the support sparqs can provide in developing and delivering training for a range of student groups. We have a range of Course Rep Training (CRT) products, some of… Read More
Scotland's Student Mental Health Conference - call for proposals is open! 10 Oct 2019
The call for proposals is now open for Scotland’s Student Mental Health Conference, hosted by NUS Scotland's Think Positive project. The conference is taking place on Monday 11th May 2020 at Stirling Court Hotel and Think Positive are looking for your… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Rob McDermott 10 Oct 2019
In this interview, we talk to Rob McDermott, Quality Manager at Forth Valley College. Initially graduating from Bell College of Technology with an HND in Biological Sciences, he later returned to study as a mature student, graduating from Stirling University… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Maya Sutherland 10 Oct 2019
In this interview, we talk to Maya Sutherland, from the Centre for Academic Planning & Quality Assurance at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Maya Sutherland manages the Quality Assurance/Evaluation process at Stellenbosch University, of all academic departments and support services divisions. She… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... University of Dundee’s innovative approach in supporting the Student Union Executive Team 02 Aug 2019
This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features an innovative approach being used by the University of Dundee to enhance professional development within the Student Union Executive team. The Graduate Careers and Professional Development Certificate is a credit-bearing programme run by the Careers Service… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Kate Walsh 02 Aug 2019
In this interview, we talk to Kate Walsh, Project Manager of Student Voice Australia, a one-year pilot initiative involving ten Australian institutions who have been exploring student engagement in institutional decision-making and governance. Prior to taking up this role she worked… Read More
sparqs' 2019-20 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 02 Aug 2019
Bookings are now open for sparqs Course Rep Training during 2019-20 ....for delivery from week beginning Monday 16th September 2019 onwards. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage. Please read the booking guidance before arranging your sessions and requesting dates. We have a range of Course… Read More
Welcome to our 2019-20 Associate Trainers... and other team news! 02 Aug 2019
We are delighted to announce the appointment of an excellent team of student Associate Trainers for the coming academic year. The new team, including a returner from last year, will begin delivering Course Rep Training from week beginning 16th September… Read More
That's Quality! Colleges 2019 is now open for bookings! 28 Jun 2019
We are pleased to announce that our annual training event, That’s Quality! Colleges 2019 is now open for registrations! The two-day residential event is taking place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th of August at West Park Conference Centre in Dundee. The event is for student… Read More
Young Leaders of Learning 28 Jun 2019
“Because kids know what school should be like for kids” ~ p6 pupil. sparqs is delighted to be working with Education Scotland on the Young Inspectors Programme (termed Young Leaders of Learning thanks to pupils’ recommendations!). The programme enables pupils to… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Lucy Gault 28 Jun 2019
In this interview, we talk to Lucy Gault, Vice President Education with Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union, who is nearing the end of her second sabbatical year. Prior to her posts, she undertook a degree in English Literature and Sociology,… Read More
sparqs is recruiting for two Development Consultants! 28 Jun 2019
We are currently recruiting for two Development Consultants to join the staff team We are seeking two enthusiastic and dedicated people to deliver a range of activities including training, consultancy support and research and development projects. Both posts are full-time (35 hours a… Read More
Save the date for That's Quality! Colleges - open to book soon! 03 Jun 2019
If you don't already have the dates held in relevant diaries... our annual induction event for college officers, That's Quality! Colleges 2019, is taking place on Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th August 2019 at West Park Conference Centre in Dundee. Please save the dates for now....… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... EUSA and Edinburgh University's Student Partnership Agreement 03 Jun 2019
Edinburgh’s Student Partnership Agreement (SPA) is now in its second year. This agreement builds on the strength of the existing partnership between the University and the Students’ Association. It highlights how the wider University, including all students and staff, can… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Professor Norman Sharp OBE 03 Jun 2019
In this interview, we talk to Professor Norman Sharp OBE, who stepped down at the sparqs’ 2019 conference as chair of our Trustees (pictured right, receiving an Award at #sparqs19 to thank him and mark his invaluable contribution to sparqs… Read More
That's Quality! Universities 2019 is open for bookings! 03 Jun 2019
We are pleased to announce that our annual training event, That’s Quality! Universities 2019, is now open for registrations! The two-day residential event is taking place on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th of July at West Park Conference Centre in… Read More
