Tuesday's Question Time live blog

Tuesday’s Question Time live blog

By Ben Fishwick
March 22, 2011

Follow the Vice President Education and Democracy and LGBT Part Time Officer Question Time event with Pugwash News’ live blog.

17:58		Pugwash News: Getting ready here at the Union for the start of Question Time: first up is Sabrina Sayed going for the LGBT Part Time Officer role.
18:02		Pugwash News: Before we start, want to listen again to last night’s Presidential QT?
18:08		samgoosejones: @purefm have only gone a made a ruddy podcast #voteupsu http://www.purefm.com/downloads/8-general/421-upsu-2011-president-question-time [via Twitter]
18:09		Pugwash News: Just about to kick off, Aakash Naik, current President announcing start with LGBT officer
18:19		Pugwash News: We’re having some technical issues with the live blog, please bare with us
18:23		Current President Aakash Naik
18:23		LGBT Part Time Officer candidate Sabrina Sayed
18:25		LGBT Part Time Officer candidate Sabrina Sayed
18:27		[Comment From Potrs:] Go SABRINA!
18:32		Pugwash News: We’re back now. The Vice President Education and Democracy QT is kicking off
18:33		Pugwash News: Candidates are: Andrew Bryant, Godfrey Atuhene Junior & Tarek Fergani
18:34		Pugwash News: All candidates are giving their 1 minute opener.
18:34		tom_worman: Aakash Naik on my TV at home! Love UPSU live elections #voteupsu http://t.co/9l5lKy2 [via Twitter]
18:38		Pugwash News: Lots of focus from all candidates on the course rep system and coursework so far.
18:41		Pugwash News: First question: how will the candidates represent a diverse student body?
18:41		Pugwash News: Tarek says he “will be there for everyone” and “understand people’s differences”
18:43		Pugwash News: Godfrey: Caring & “good at talking to people”
18:43		Pugwash News: Andrew: happy to talk to any student.
18:47		Pugwash News: Question on postgraduate students receiving work later than undergraduates. Candidates all agreed that it is unacceptable & should be treated equally.
18:49		Pugwash News: Question from the audience: how is democracy established in the course rep system & how does it benefit students?
18:59		Andrew Bryant
19:00		Tarek Fergani
19:03		Godfrey Atuhene Junior
19:04		Pugwash News: The candidates are answering a question on how will the work with the University.
19:12		Pugwash News: More questions from the floor now
19:13		Pugwash News: Steve Shirley AU Chair: With over 20,000 students, how will you actively improve the learning system within the University?
19:14		Pugwash News: Lots of repeated questions tonight!
19:15		Pugwash News: Godfrey: Using the new forum, will actively go out and ask the students what they want. Andrew: Feedback/survey from students on how their course can be improved. Possibly trial online seminars. Tarek: Refers to higher fees and the need for the University to justify the cost. The new VP will need to get the University to show the justification. Will talk to students.
19:16		Pugwash News: All candidates referring to the need for student consensus on all their actions.
19:17		Pugwash News: Question deemed unfair to ask. Moved on to next one.
19:19		Pugwash News: Naik just put forward question on balancing the Education & Democracy aspects of the role.
19:20		Pugwash News: Tarek: Need to manage time and work hard. Godfrey: Not a problem as he believes he is good at time management. Andrew: Also think he’s good at time management but will focus more on education.
19:23		Pugwash News: All candidates are emphasising the way the Union can bring together different aspects and activities.
19:27		Pugwash News: Question from audience: How can candidates get behind campaigns when none of them have been part of the current campaigns against tuition fees?
19:30		Pugwash News: Andrew: Wants big protest on campus to get try and get John Craven (UoP Vice-Chancellor) to lower the fees. Tarek: Apologises for not being a part of the protests. University one of the backbones of education. Will commit himself and the fight is not over. Godfrey: Didn’t attend demo either; says the fight is not over for postgraduate and international student fees. Wants fees as low as possible & will work with NUS. Will work with local government.
19:30		Pugwash News: Naik reminds all that UCU strike is this Thursday 24th. Brings applause from the audience!
19:30		voteupsu: Our tech genius has been working overtime and you can now watch the live broadcasts via our Facebook fanpage #voteupsu [via Twitter]
19:32		Pugwash News: Over an hour gone now, questions will continue.
19:35		Pugwash News: Following our coverage? Watching online? Interact directly with us, comment on the bottom of this window.
19:36		Pugwash News: Q: How are the candidates different?
19:36		Pugwash News: Andrew: On the outside, can see problems that others may not see. Approachable & hard working.
19:37		Pugwash News: Tarek: Disagrees with Andrew, says he needs to know how the system works.
19:38		Pugwash News: Godfrey: Says he already works with the course rep system as faculty rep. Good to know the system, need to know what to do. Says he can offer a fresh perspective.
19:38		Pugwash News: Andrew: Course rep system will change so they’ll be on an equal footing.
19:39		Pugwash News: Tarek: How can Godfrey achieve 10 things in his time in office if he is to win?
19:40		Pugwash News: Godfrey: Doesn’t believe it is a lot to achieve and can manage his time.
19:40		Pugwash News: Andrew: Godfrey, what is the key issue & if you have one key point will you just focus on that?
19:41		Pugwash News: Godfrey: Key point is to fight education cuts. At the same time will work on manifesto aims. “Have to be able to project manage”
19:41		Pugwash News: Godfrey asks Andrew how he can implement new learning skills in his manifesto?
19:42		Pugwash News: Andrew: Refers to ASK & the step up from A-Level to degree. Increase ASK & visit lectures to increase awareness.
19:43		voteupsu: ? via SMS: UPSU + At the moment Arts degrees are under attack on a national scale and in this University. Do the candidates feel thes… [via Twitter]
19:45		Pugwash News: Q from Facebook: As a face of the Union, what is your view on the UCU strike?
19:46		Pugwash News: Andrew: Says he doesn’t know much about the strike, unable to comment.
19:46		Pugwash News: Tarek: Agrees that he doesn’t know much about it but adds that they should strike if they want to and stand up for themselves.
19:46		Pugwash News: Godfrey: Believes students should support the strike.
19:47		Pugwash News: On to quick questions now: How do you call a general meeting at the Union?
19:48		Pugwash News: Difficult question for all the candidates.
19:50		Pugwash News: From the floor: The job comes with a big paycheck, have they done their research?
19:51		Pugwash News: Funny questions…
19:52		Pugwash News: And that’s it! Thanks for watching. Back tomorrow at 6pm.