Date lapsed: November 2025
Proposed by: Mohamed Yamine Kudair
Seconded by: Sarah Nawaz
Not started
What do you want?
The Students’ Union should lobby QMUL to do the following:
The introduction of workshops that have an emphasis on explaining how to apply to university and for student finance (including how to apply for bursaries) as an estranged student as well as explaining the supports offered by this institute. Or through liaising with these charities it may be possible to send voluntary guest speakers that can explain the benefits of gaining a university degree.
The Students Union should lobby QMUL to provide additional help to estranged students to reduce their drop-out rates.
Why do you want it?
Having been an estranged student myself: housed at Southend YMCA for 6 months before I came to university. It had shocked me to learn that out of all the residences, it was only myself that wanted to pursue a university degree. I respect that for the majority of people I was housed with have experience in circumstances that may sway them away from pursuing anything further. However, it was disappointing to learn that there was more encouragement to go onto relying on benefits from the YMCA than pursing any sort of education or qualification. Furthermore, I was also appalled to find that no university or higher education institute had previously worked with this YMCA to provide a well recognised underprivileged group any kind of educational platform that will give them the knowledge on how to pursue a university degree through the many routes (ie.taking a B-tech course instead of A-levels).
What impact will this have?
There’s potential financial gain by sending voluntary speakers (students) with the potential of more prospective students coming into university. Student speakers will have an opportunity to organise events and inspire an underprivileged group, so a greater experience opportunity. Lastly, QMUL would be one of the very few universities that properly tackles a growing issue by ultimately giving estranged young people a life changing trajectory.