Sep
Postgrad Life: A Guest blog by your Postgraduate Research Student Officer
Hi, my name’s Mike and I’m the Postgraduate Research Student Officer (PGR) for the Students’ Union.
Whether you’re a new or continuing PGR this year, I’d like to welcome you back to Southampton and hope you had a great summer1. It’s my job to represent PGRs, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, suggestions, praise or criticism2 regarding our provision for you. The Union is planning a number of initiatives related to postgrad engagement and representation this year and your participation and feedback will be both needed and genuinely appreciated.
The Union is running an extensive series of events over the new academic year. Aside from a fantastic Freshers’ programme, we have some postgrad specific events lined up that I’d like to mention:
- PG Meet and Mingle: An extension of our usual postgrad coffee and cake. A very informal opportunity to meet new and returning PGs over a FREE hot drink, cake and (if you like) a spirited game of cards, Jenga, chess, etc. on 24th September and again on 1st October and 8th October from 10.30-12.30 in The Bridge.
- Postgraduate Pub Quiz: An old favourite making a return after a short hiatus. £1 per person and winning team takes the pot. All faculties welcome. Hosted in The Bridge and always great fun on 1st October from 7.30pm.
- Within the general programme I’d also like to highlight the Cheese and Wine Tasting evening: “Join us on our hugely successful evening of Cheese & Wine Tasting where you will be served with a selection of the finest cheeses Hampshire has to offer, complimented by a wine pairing straight from The Bridge Wine List.” Come along on 29th September from 6:30pm at The Bridge. Tickets are £10 from the Box Office.
I am sure that you will also receive a warm welcome within your faculties and research groups, so do look out for more informal events in your area. Many of the University’s PGR communities have social groups. Some (though almost certainly not all), of which may be found on the Student Unions’ website’s new PG page.
Wishing you all the best for the new term,
Mike Allwright
PGR Student Officer: pgroffic@soton.ac.uk
- Although, if you’re a continuing PGR who managed to negotiate a solid chunk of the summer off I’d love to know how you did it! Actually you could probably fill a decent sized seminar…
- Joking aside I / we welcome constructive criticism but please remember that nearly all the Students’ Union’s activities depend partly or entirely on enthusiastic students volunteering their time. Please consider that your ideas, expertise and involvement may be part of the solution to the problem you’re identifying.
