Your Vice President Liberation, International and Postgraduates, Hassam Naeem, proudly represented Queen Mary and its students at this year’s Labour Party Conference.
Your Vice President Liberation, International and Postgraduates, Hassam Naeem, proudly represented Queen Mary and its students at this year’s Labour Party Conference. His participation ensured that the perspectives and priorities of Queen Mary Students’ Union (particularly international students) were brought to the forefront of national discussions on education, immigration, and inclusion.
Throughout the conference, Hassam engaged with Members of Parliament (MPs), ministers, ambassadors, sector leaders, and policymakers, highlighting the vital contributions of international students to the UK’s higher education sector and wider society. Drawing on evidence from the Russell Group Students’ Union’s International Student Report and the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s Inquiry Report, entitled ‘The UK’s Global Edge – Regional Impact and the Future of International Students’, Hassam emphasised both the opportunities and challenges that shape the future of international education in the UK.
Discussions centred around how to ensure international students feel genuinely welcomed and supported, while maximising their potential to benefit the UK economy, skills sector, and local communities. From exploring the implications of the Immigration White Paper proposals to advocating for support for students in conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine and Palestine, the conversations were both insightful and solutions-driven.
During the conference, Hassam met with Hamish Falconer (Minster for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) where he raised the urgent issue of international students trapped in Gaza and requested their safe release to UK universities.
In meetings with Helen Hayes MP (Chair of the Education Select Committee), Abtisam Mohamed MP, and Alex Sobel MP (Chair of the APPG on Students), Hassam discussed the significance of retaining the 24-month Graduate Route Visa, a vital pathway that allows international graduates to contribute their skills and expertise to the UK workforce.
In a conversation with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith, Hassam addressed how the UK can create a more welcoming environment for international students while effectively filling national skills shortages and ensuring the country remains a global leader in education and innovation.
Hassam’s presence at the Labour Party Conference reflects QMSU’s commitment to amplifying student voices on national policy issues. By advocating for international students and highlighting their vital role in shaping a stronger, more inclusive UK, Hassam continues to champion the Students’ Union’s mission of promoting equality, opportunity, and global understanding.
