sparqs' News - 2017

sparqs team news! 21 Nov 2017

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new sparqs Development Consultant, Steph Kirkham, who joined the sparqs team on Monday 20th November 2017. Steph will be with us for the coming year, providing maternity cover while both Stef… Read More

SPOTLIGHT ON.... West College Scotland's MOYA - Minds of Young Artists 21 Nov 2017

This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features West College Scotland’s award-winning, student-led Art Production Company – MOYA – Minds of Young Artists. Students from the Art & Design department at West College Scotland (Paisley Campus), have created their own production company, with the aim… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Jim Metcalfe 21 Nov 2017

In this interview we talk to Jim Metcalfe, Chief Executive of the College Development Network (CDN), who he joined in 2017. Previously he worked for the Carnegie UK Trust and Age Concern England, and also in public policy research. He… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Rachael Page 21 Nov 2017

In this interview we talk to Rachael Page, a Community Skills student at Fife College’s ASPIRE Centre (Additional Support Programmes In Real Environments). She is a strong advocate for students with disabilities, has been a course rep, and recently undertook… Read More

Monitoring the Diversity of Course Reps 21 Nov 2017

sparqs is currently working with four institutions – Edinburgh University, Fife College, SRUC and the University of the West of Scotland – on a pilot project to monitor the diversity of course representatives. Establishing the diversity of course reps across Scottish… Read More

Consultation on the future of the UK Quality Code – open until Wednesday 13th December 2017 21 Nov 2017

The UK-wide Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA) which oversees the aspects of the quality arrangements which are shared across the UK, has recently launched a consultation to review the UK Quality Code. In 2012 the UK Quality Code was developed… Read More

SPOTLIGHT ON.... Stirling University Students' Union and University of Stirling 28 Sep 2017

This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features the University of Stirling Students’ Union award-winning partnership project with the University of Stirling, to undertake an enhancement-driven review of their existing arrangements for Student Representation and Engagement within quality processes. In early June 2016, the Students'… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Kat Bateson 28 Sep 2017

In this interview we talk to Kat Bateson, a Student Engagement Assistant with the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association, the students’ association of the University of the Highlands and Islands. She is a former student officer of Inverness College UHI… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Dale Whelehan 28 Sep 2017

In this interview we talk to Dale Whelehan, Education Officer and Deputy President for 2016/17 at Trinity College Dublin Students' Union in Ireland. Outside his sabbatical year he is a student of physiotherapy, and this past year was involved in… Read More

sparqs ARC Network - November registration and future dates! 28 Sep 2017

We are delighted to announce the dates for our 2017-18 Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network meetings, the first of which is open for bookings!  The network brings together academic representation and student engagement staff from universities, colleges and students’ associations across Scotland to learn, share… Read More

TEF panel member and assessor opportunities for students and staff! 28 Sep 2017

HEFCE is currently seeking to appoint high-calibre individuals to work as panel members and assessors for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Roles are open to students, academics and employer/widening participation experts across the UK (regardless of whether their institution has… Read More

That's Quality Events Roundup! 28 Sep 2017

Over the summer we held our annual induction events for college and university student officers. The focus of both events was how to use quality to enhance students’ learning and teaching experience. Read More

ESPAQ Project Update 28 Sep 2017

A timely update on ESPAQ (Enhancing Student Participation in Quality Assurance in Armenian HE) as the 3-year project approaches the end. sparqs has been a key partner in the EU Tempus project, which has been working to develop and embed… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Raziya Isayeva 24 Jul 2017

In this interview we talk to Raziya Isayeva, Development Director at Khazar University in Baku, Azerbaijan. Besides this role she teaches management and is studying a PhD in Educational Leadership, and has been involved in European conversations around strengthening student… Read More

SPOTLIGHT ON.... New College Lanarkshire's 'Be Engaged' Programme 24 Jul 2017

This ‘Spotlight On” features the “Be Engaged” programme created by the Students’ Association and the Learner Engagement Team at New College Lanarkshire, designed to increase the engagement of students in a wide range of activities outside the classroom and provide… Read More

sparqs Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 24 Jul 2017

Bookings are now open for sparqs Course Rep Training during 2017-18 ....for delivery from week beginning 11th September 2017 onwards.  This year's materials also include the newly-developed training for taught postgraduate reps. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage.  Please read… Read More

sparqs is recruiting! 24 Jul 2017

We are currently recruiting a Development Consultant to join the staff team  (1 year maternity cover) Applications are now closed - article for reference only, until the recruitment process is complete. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated person to join the team on a… Read More

That's Quality! 2017 events are open for bookings! 21 Jun 2017

Our two annual quality induction events, one for the university sector and one for the college sector, are now open for bookings!  They are aimed at new and returning student officers with an education remit and SA staff. Both events aim to equip participants with the knowledge and ability to use the… Read More

Welcome to our 2017-18 Associate Trainer team 21 Jun 2017

We are delighted to announce the appointment of an excellent team of student Associate Trainers for the coming academic year. The new team, including four returners from previous years, will begin delivering Course Rep Training from September 2017 onwards. Their induction process begins… Read More

sparqs at #ETConf17 21 Jun 2017

sparqs was delighted to participate in the 3rd International Enhancement in Higher Education Conference run by the Enhancement Themes team at QAA Scotland, which was held in Glasgow from 6th-8th June 2017. The conference, attended by hundreds of delegates from across… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Jodie Waite 21 Jun 2017

In this interview we talk to Jodie Waite, incoming Vice-President (Education) of NUS Scotland for 2017-18. In 2016-17 she has been Vice-President for the Glasgow School of Business and Society at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Students’ Association, and served a previous… Read More

That's Quality! 2017 induction events for college and university officers - save the dates! 15 May 2017

The dates have now been confirmed for our annual induction events for officers.... That’s Quality! Universities 2017 will take place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th of July; and That's Quality! Colleges 2017 will take place on Wednesday 9th August. Both events… Read More

SPOTLIGHT ON.... Edinburgh University Students' Association's student-led Project Myopia 15 May 2017

This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s award-winning student-led project to improve the diversity of curricula. In early 2017, two University of Edinburgh students, Rianna Walcott and Toby Sharpe, started working with University of Edinburgh’s Students’ Association (EUSA) to develop ‘Project… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Simon Boehme 15 May 2017

In this interview we talk to Simon Boehme, Director of Student Engagement at The Quality Assurance Commons for Higher and Postsecondary Education based in Oakland, California, which has been established to explore new ideas in quality assurance. Simon also serves… Read More

Development opportunity for student officers - public appointments introductory workshop: Friday 9th June! (event subsequently postponed) 15 May 2017

Please note that the event referred to below has unfortunately been postponed, as at the end of May, due to lack of sign-up.  If and when it is rescheduled we will readvertise it. sparqs and NUS Scotland have been working with the… Read More

#sparqs17 Conference and Awards round-up! 07 Apr 2017

.A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the sparqs Conference on Thursday 23rd March 2017, at Surgeons' Hall in Edinburgh!  The day was a great success, with a fantastic turnout of around 200 delegates from Scotland and all over… Read More

2017-18 Associate Trainer recruitment - deadline 10th May! 07 Apr 2017

Calling all course reps!  Will you be a student during 2017-18? Do you have experience as a course rep? Would you like to earn some income?  ....apply to be a sparqs Associate Trainer!   Apply to join our team of students to deliver training to course… Read More

sparqs Academic Representation Co-ordinators' Network meeting - 4th May 2017 07 Apr 2017

The next meeting of our Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network is taking place on Thursday 4th May 2017 in Edinburgh and is now open for bookings.  The meeting will share national and institutional practice on a number of topics of current priority, such as… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Gohar Hovhannisyan 07 Apr 2017

In this interview we talk to Gohar Hovhannisyan, International Officer with the Armenian National Students’ Association (ANSA), and a Masters student in insurance at the Armenian State University of Economics. She has been heavily involved in ESPAQ, a European project… Read More

sparqs Team News! 06 Mar 2017

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new sparqs Development Consultant, Stef Black, who will be joining the sparqs team on Monday 20th March 2017. Stef joins us from University of Stirling Students’ Union, where she has worked… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Greg Mannion 06 Mar 2017

In this interview we talk to Greg Mannion, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences (Education) at University of Stirling. His approach to educational research brings together theory and empirical perspectives on participation and rights-based education, intergenerational education,… Read More

sparqs Student Engagement Awards shortlists announced! 06 Mar 2017

We are delighted to announce the shortlists for the 2017 sparqs Student Engagement Awards!  Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, they were of a very high standard and it was a tough decision for panel members to choose between them.   We invited award… Read More

Registration is open for the sparqs Conference! #sparqs17 30 Jan 2017

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the sparqs Conference!  The conference is taking place on Thursday 23rd March 2017, at Surgeons' Hall in Edinburgh, aimed at students, managers and practitioners in colleges, universities and other post-16 providers,… Read More

Student engagement and the Teaching Excellence Framework 30 Jan 2017

On 26th January 2017, universities across Scotland had to apply to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) if they wanted to opt into this year’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2). Institutions who decide to do so must prepare… Read More

Developments in Institution-led Review for universities 30 Jan 2017

On Thursday 19th January 2017, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland launched a new ‘Focus On’ project on Institution-led Review (ILR), which has presented sparqs with an opportunity to promote our practice guide on engaging students in Institution-Led Review (published… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Dougie Smith 30 Jan 2017

In this interview we talk to Dougie Smith, Students’ Association Liaison Officer at City of Glasgow College. After squeezing out as much time as a university student as possible (eight years), he taught History and Modern Studies in secondary schools,… Read More

2017 sparqs Student Engagement Awards open for nominations! 16 Jan 2017

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the second sparqs Student Engagement Awards, taking place at our Conference on 23rd March 2017 in Edinburgh.  The conference will be rounded off with the Awards reception, in a fitting end to the… Read More

sparqs is recruting for Trustees! Closing date: 2nd February 2017 16 Jan 2017

We are currently looking for committed and dynamic individuals to join our volunteer Board of Trustees and contribute towards the governance and strategic development of our services. We are looking to recruit trustees with a range of skills and interests including legal,… Read More

Student Engagement in Gender Action Plans – a checklist from NUS Scotland 16 Jan 2017

Don’t miss the opportunity to involve your students in designing and delivering the college or university’s first Gender Action Plan (GAP)! To support students’ associations with this new piece of work, in December 2016, NUS Scotland published Student Engagement in… Read More

sparqs 'How good is our college?' event - 2nd February 2017 16 Jan 2017

There are still a few spaces available for our event taking place on Thursday 2nd February 2017 - How Good is Our College?: Understanding the new quality arrangements.  This event will provide an introduction to the new quality arrangements for colleges.  The morning… Read More

sparqs Academic Representation Co-ordinators' Network meeting - 14th February 2017 16 Jan 2017

The next meeting of our Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network is taking place on Tuesday 14th February 2017 in Edinburgh and is still open for bookings.  The meeting will share national and institutional practice on a number of topics of current priority, such… Read More

'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Dr Natalie Watters 16 Jan 2017

In this interview we talk to Dr Natalie Watters, who is a lecturer and project manager for the online Masters in Education at the University of Glasgow. While studying for her PhD in Education in 2010-11 she was also an… Read More

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Student Engagement Framework

National Education Officers' Network meeting

21 Mar 2024

This meeting of sparqs’ National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) continues our series of meetings for academic year 2023-24. …

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Student Engagement Staff Network meeting

19 Mar 2024

This meeting of our Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) for academic year 2023-24 continues our series of half-day events for…

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