As we launch the updated Student Engagement Through Partnership Framework, Dr Kay Hack, Lead Consultant Education at Advance HE, reflects on how partnership impacts students’ experiences and fosters a culture of belonging; demonstrating that student voices matter to their institution.
Ulster University's Belfast campus showcases an institution that truly values student engagement through partnership. From the moment you enter the campus, it's evident that students' needs and aspirations are at the centre of the design. The vibrant atmosphere and diverse learning spaces promote collaboration and informal interactions, while the digital infrastructure prepares students for connected learning and working. The artwork and open spaces for student expression showcase the University's commitment to fostering creativity, hearing student voices and civic responsibility to the local community.
The student voice was invaluable when planning and evaluating new pedagogies, technologies or learning spaces (formal/informal and physical/digital) at Ulster University. This gave us the evidence-base for change on the new Belfast campus and across the institution. In addition, our student learning partners’ scheme removed hierarchies, empowering our students to enable this change in partnership with our staff during the transition to the new campus. This has been transformational."Richard Beggs, Senior Lecturer in HE Practice, Ulster University
It is almost a decade since the original Student Engagement Through Partnership Framework was published, advocating collaborative relationships between staff and students. The Framework marked a transformation in sector understanding of the value of partnership and challenged traditional staff-student hierarchies. There is now the expectation that students will have formal or informal roles and responsibilities in subject review, course or programme validation, review and revalidation and governance. However, student consultation or feedback does not imply partnership. The foundation for successful partnerships continues to be open communication, reciprocal learning, constructive dialogue, trust and agency, enabling participants to collaborate effectively and achieve common goals.
