I’ll Create Better Students’ Experience •Says Francisca, Nigerian-Born Student Union President At Robert Gordon University, UK

SEYI GESINDE takes a look at the rise to prominence of Francisca Chiedu, a Nigerian, who was recently elected as the Student Union president of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

Francisca Chiedu

A Nigerian, Francisca Chiedu has emerged the Student Union (SU) president of Robert Gordon University (RGU), a Scottish university located in the city of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Francisca, a Communications and Democracy candidate, polled a total of 719 votes after two rounds to defeat others who also vied for students’ number one seat.
The union  reported on their posting that this year’s election was their biggest ever with a turnout of over 1920. This was an increase of 27.5% on the 2011 elections. It also broke the overall Robert Gordon University election turnout record!
Well done to Francisca and to all the other candidates too.
Francisca, before her emergence during campaign had said that she was inspired to contest by for RGU’s SU president’s office because of her previous experience.
To ascertain her victory, she instituted a winning strategy called CREATE,” which she interpreted to be
“Communicate-Reachout-Engage-Advocate-Teamwork-Evolve, and it eventually worked for her.
“Due to my experiences and the certainty that I have the skills needed to deliver, I am running for the position of
President Communications and Democracy.
“As an enthusiastic, highly spirited individual, I want to engage and interact with you, (addressing the students populace)  so, together we can create the best experience for students at Robert Gordon University.
“As an international student, I fully understand the challenges faced by all students and I am the candidate who can successfully deliver relevant campaigns to change the lives of students,” Fraccisca said on the school’s website.

Francisca Chiedu (fourth left) and other members of Student Union, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

The CREATE strategy, Francisca further expalined thus: “Communicate: I will ensure we have a more interactive union website with a platform for online real-time chatting so that students are able to get help from other students and union officers, that is, (Union Help Desk); making information easy to find and the site exciting to visit. I will also ensure deeper social media integration to further increase our collective capacity to network among ourselves. This will improve the entire social experience of students at RGU. “Reachout: I am fully committed to reaching out to students from all backgrounds and I will utilise all methods to better the students’ experience at RGU. It is time to go beyond a faceless student representative and get in the heart of students’ life on campus.
“Engage: I am a firm believer that we should have an inclusive, supportive and engaging students union, where our voices count and diversity is treasured. One that offers a platform to continuously engage students in its everyday affairs.  I will organise programmes to encourage a wider participation in the activities of the union campaigns, events, talk-back session and other engaging fora. I will bring the students union close to the students and create an opportunity for students to contribute to the union
“Advocate: Act as a bridge between the students and the university by presenting students’ view and interest to the university.
“Teamwork: The Union is for the student and by the student, it is our union! I will ensure that as much as possible that Union officers do not work in isolation ensuring effective collaboration among students groups, societies and the union executive.
“Evolve: The University is set to move to Garthee in 2013 this will make a huge impact to students life at RGU.  We need to help students integrate and have a hitch-free transition from the City Centre to Garthee and together we can build a strong student Community at Garthee.”
Francisca if she wins, “a vote for me is a vote for diversity, new experience, strong leadership and positive changes…,” hence, she charged the students:  “Let’s CREATE the student experience we crave for!
Now that she has won, one hopes the students will support her to “create” the student experience they craved for, so that she can fulfil her desire to create better students’ experience at RGU.
Source Tribune NewsPaper