Dear Postgrads,
This document serves to highlight the activities, events, and engagements of the KPA and its Officers since September 1st. Myself, Michel, Aayush, and Shargava, along with our brilliant KPA Clubhouse staff, are looking forward to lots of exciting events over the course of the year, tailored just for postgraduates like you.
I want to wish you good luck for your start of new sessions, and for everything you do in the future!
Since the beginning of September, we have undertaken the remaining training and handovers from previous KPA Officers, which were not completed in August, such as Conflict Management at Workplace Training, Communication and Leadership training, and some other workshops that ensure we are ready to assist you.
Induction and the Welcome Week…
There were lot of inductions and meetings with different student groups as well as the faculties, in order to know about their feedbacks and expectations. Also, we were dealing with many student cases at several levels of the University.
The Welcome Week has been started with the welcome fair on 18th Sept and went on with different events around the campus by the KPA, University as well as KUSU. In which the following events have been the highlight in the KPA:
· International Student Welcome at Keele Hall
· KPA Big Quiz Night at the KPA Clubhouse
· Circus Tricks and Picnic
· Karaoke Night Party
· Grill and BBQ Party
· Stargazing ad Grazing
· Cheese and Chat
· Barbie and Ken Party
· Sustainable Arts and Craft Event
· Speed Dating
· Sundown Yoga
· Mindfulness Walk and Reset
· Future Teachers’ Night
· PhD Arrivals and Boardgame Nights
· Survey Social
Ongoing Activities...
We have continued to run our ‘Productive Postgrads’ sessions on Mondays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., which have been a resounding success. These are fantastic opportunities to study, combat isolation, and have a free coffee, and some lunch at 50% off! It is also an opportunity to get to know fellow postgrads and members of the committee. Additionally, Thursday’s ‘Coffee Mornings’ from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. has been fruitful. This is an interesting opportunity for our members to come and meet fellow students, and discuss different issues whilst enjoying free hot drinks and biscuits.
New addition...
We've introduced "Writing Retreats" every Monday and Thursday 11 am to 4 pm at KPA Upstairs to support our students in combating loneliness over this crucial stretch of the year. We successfully gathered anonymous written input at that point, and in order to make it more valuable, we will now introduce the suggested improvements.
Remember, we are here to help you - we regularly support students' cases making use of our university contacts to ensure cases are handled swiftly. This way our students are stress-free and able to focus on their studies.
A huge thank you to all attending and engaging postgraduate students at our events. We are excited to welcome so many new faces to our postgraduate community, and hope that you will join us in different events so we can have fun together!
What more…
This is the Month of Black History and Diversity Celebration. We want you all to celebrate the differences based on geography, race, culture, community, language, or anything you may think of because these all together make our lives colorful and away from boredom. These are different colors that nature has decorated us with, and we need to accept them and treat everyone equally and respectfully, this is the main thread of all the activities we are going to organise this month. Let’s walk together to fulfill the rainbow of Keele PG Students.
Additionally, the KPA hosts both weekly committee meetings and monthly KPA meetings to ensure smooth operations and improved teamwork. In order to explain the KPA to our incoming students and give them the opportunity to actively benefit from the KPA's presence, we have communicated with all the schools regarding their induction meetings.
Our Vice President is busy with Education Committee meetings and other faculty-level meetings, representing our PG community interests there.
The Association Secretary is taking care of our comms, working closely with different departments, and keeping our members updated on various platforms, with the support of the clubhouse team leaders.
We are currently in the process of finalizing our Governance documents for the smooth running of the KPA so that you, as our prestigious members, can have the best student life experience while pursuing your PG study at the Keele University.
So, finally, I would just say that watch this space for exciting activities and events that will be coming your way!
What next…
Following are the events waiting for you all:
To help us leave a dynamic KPA for the incoming class of students, we have launched an intriguing feedback survey. Please participate and add your voice.
The Google Form link is here
We want to hear your suggestions…including any events and activities you would like to see. Here at the KPA, we endeavor to hold as many postgraduate student-inspired events and trips as possible! If you have any suggestions or ideas, please get in touch at kpa.chair@keele.ac.uk or kpa.vp@keele.ac.uk, and kpa.coordinator@keele.ac.uk we would be happy to help!
Best wishes,
Rachana Dhaka
KPA President