Pembroke Students Recognised in Outstanding Student Contribution to Education Awards
The efforts of Pembroke students to improve the learning environment of their peers have been recognised at the inaugural Outstanding Student Contribution to Education Awards.
The Junior Parlour Committee (JPC) and its president, Miguel Roe (2017), won the College Representation Award. The JPC:
- Increased the College's Teaching and Learning Questionnaire response rate from c. 20% to 64%. This data allowed the College to make improvements in the delivery of supervisions in a number of subjects. It will also help the College to target the provision of transitional study skill support more effectively in the new academic year.
- Initiated a comprehensive review of the provision of pastoral care and other non-academic support offered by Pembroke. The JPC worked with the College to produce a suitable consultation and survey, and helped interpret the results. The findings have led to changes to Freshers Week, to the accessibility of information about support, improvements to informal study spaces, a plan for top-up training for Tutors, and ways to improve student-Tutor interactions.
PhD law student and Gates Scholar Harum Mukhayer (2016) was Highly Commended in the category of Inclusive Practice, for her outstanding contribution to college and university life.
The Inclusive Practice award acknowledges outstanding work done by students who give a voice to underrepresented peers and by extension, improve the educational experience for everyone.
During her time at Pembroke, Harum has:
- Established the role of a permanent BME Officer on Pembroke Graduate Parlour Committee. She also served as its inaugural holder.
- Established an annual Iftar Meal as an opportunity for cultural exchange and appreciation.
- Worked with the Ethnic Minorities Officer of the JPC, Yvonne Addai (2017), to organise a programme of events to celebrate Black History Month in 2018.
Outside Pembroke, Harum has served as President of the African Society of Cambridge and as the Gates-Cambridge Community Officer. Within the Faculty of Law she has led Decolonise Law initiatives, raised awareness about incidents of discrimination. She has also worked with faculty staff to make it a safe-space for BAME law students.
The efforts of Joana Ferreira (2016), A PhD student in Criminiology, were also recognised. Joana received a certificate of commendation in the category of Peer Support.
The Outstanding Student Contribution to Education Awards were established by the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CCTL). They "recognise and celebrate the efforts made by our students in enhancing the excellence of Cambridge education." These awards will sit alongside The Pilkington Prize and the CUSU Student-Led Teaching Awards, which already celebrate excellence in teaching and student support at the University of Cambridge.
Further reading:
https://www.cctl.cam.ac.uk/oscea/winners-2019
https://www.cctl.cam.ac.uk/oscea/pembroke-jpc-miguel
Image: Miguel Roe. Copyright: Pembroke Junior Parlour Committee