President

Shoukat Mehsud
Shoukat in a black shirt folding his arms smiling

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Contact me - union.President@bcu.ac.uk



Shoukat was elected as BCUSU President with 2,321 votes from BCU students. Here are the points he was elected on:


Your Voice, Your Power, Your Union!

Why do you want to run for this position?

My goal is to create a welcoming supportive environment at BCU where every student feels represented and supported I want to make a real difference in our student community



What would your priorities be if you were elected?

Advocate for timely student support and faculties response. Push for flexible tuition payment plans and hardship funds. Lobby for social spaces and ensure SU officers are more accessible. Promote students rights and safety on campus and beyond.



What skills and experience do you have that would make you a good Officer?

I’ve experience as Law Course Rep International Buddy and VP Academic With leadership and diplomatic skills I’ve represented BCU students in high-level meetings influenced university to introduce self-certified ECs hardship funds and food discount



My Progress

salmon coloured star

Advocate for timely student support and staff responses

Actions:

  • 48-hour response time approved for staff replies to students.
  • Assessment feedback timeline reduced from 20 to 15 working days.
  • Working with VP student voice, regularly providing feedback to university senior leadership.
  • Average student support response time reduced from approximately one month to 2 days.


Impact:

  • These changes should impact students with faster and more consistent communication, and hopefully reduced student stress during assessments and transitions.

Push for flexible tuition payment plans and hardship funds.

Actions:

  • Introduced flexible payment policy (Sector leading)​
  • Walk in support available in both campuses.​
  • Approval of Black bullion platform to streamline the hardship funding process.


Impact:

  • 43% reduction in fee-related cases with the BCUSU Advice Team.
  • Only 9 students placed on a break in studies during the first semester.​
  • Over £2 million recovered by the Collections Team.​
  • No final-year students will withdraw due to fee-related issues.​
  • No exam restrictions due to outstanding fees

Improve social spaces and increase Officer visibility

Actions:

  • Margaret Street outpost has been installed, and Seacole outpost hasbeen delivered and will be installed this week.
  • Parkside, STEAM House, and Benjamin Zephaniah are next in line, pending final Estates approval before placing the order​
  • Calm spaces will be delivered across both campuses in May.


Impact:

  • Increased space for prayer, societies, socials and events.​
  • Improved visibility and accessibility of BCUSU.

Promote students’ rights and campus safety

Actions:

  • Safe Zone app successfully launched across BCU.​
  • Delivered student safety awareness talks.​
  • Engaged with key stakeholders, including the Home Secretary, Police and Crime Commissioner, and Mayor, on student safety.​
  • Secured the first Birmingham Safe Zone alliance partnership.​


Impact:

  • Organised a Q&A session with the Police and Crime Commissioner, addressing key concerns such as knife crime and violence against women and girls
  • Advocated for increased police presence and improved safety measures around campus
  • As part of the regional campaign, met with the Director of Transport and the local MP to present student data and advocate for free or more affordable student transport.
  • Raised the issue of speeding on Gopsal Street with our MP, Shabana Mahmood, and the Vice-Chancellor, leading to proposed traffic calming measures on Gopsal Street/Cardigan Street to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph.
  • Supporting national campaigns and advocating for costing of living affordable student transport.
  • Represented BCUSU at Romanian National Day and at the Defence Study Club Dinner, following an official invitation.
  • Attended the NUS England Democratic Conference in Coventry.
  • Met with the Home Secretary’s Parliamentary Assistant to discuss immigration changes and the challenges faced by international students
  • Participated in the APPG for Students, where I raised issues related to student loans and maintenance grants
Talk to me
Key stories

Kristina talks making change on campus

Flexible fee payments introduced for self-funded students

Assessment tips to reduce stress during winter break

Black Things UK comes to BCU

Laptop loan new accessibility feature