Run by students, for students, we as HISA aim to empower your feedback and student voice at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The Student Voice Representative (SVR) system serves as a platform for students to share their comments and suggestions on the student experience, including learning, teaching, facilities, or accommodation. With over 500 SVRs at UHI, across our campuses and beyond, SVRs are at the very heart of HISA's work.
What is a Student Voice Rep?
Student Voice Reps are students who volunteer to gather feedback from the students on their course and then share that with the University and the Students' Association. Together, we work to improve the learning experience here at UHI.
We're dedicated to amplifying your opinions on all aspects of your student journey, celebrating the exceptional aspects of your college experience and addressing areas where improvements can be made!
This system is a collaborative effort between the University, Academic Partners, and the Students’ Association.
What's involved?
As an SVR, you will gather views of your fellow students on your course - about everything to do with learning and teaching but also the wider student experience. So you might be picking up students' comments and suggestions about learning technology, course content, the library or assessments, and you are likely to be invited to course committees by your teaching staff as well as to SVR meeting by HISA, where you can share your insights. We also have a Teams space for SVRs, and opportunities to join various occasional panels and focus groups depending on your expertise and capacity.
The role might take one or two hours per week of your time, but that very much depends on what you are able to give.
But you can also gain so much from the role! There is training (see below), and lots of support from our staff and student officer teams; plus a chance to meet new people, develop valuable skills for instance in communication and campaigning, and above all contribute to the enhancement of learning here at UHI!
How do I become an SVR?
You might have a discussion at the start of your course, and we hope that staff and students can work together to identify a willing volunteer. If that's you, you can sign up to become a Student Voice Rep here (Please login to your University account to fill in this form).
Training
Once you're signed up to be an SVR, we will contact you about training. This is a short session that may be delivered online or (in some campuses) and there is also a short self-study module you can access as a refresher or if you become an SVR late in the academic year. Please watch out for these emails! You can contact your local students' association office for any help, or email us at rep.hisa@uhi.ac.uk.