YouniversityCast

Talking this week with Billy Timimi, who's work within Brunel Student Justice has garnered much support from the student body of Brunel London University and elements of the faculty too.

We talk motives for uniting as a collective body to pressure uni administration's for change, so not just individual students but the group at large can get better treatment.

As well as this we discuss the overall issues that arise from a marketised higher education system, which has led to the profits-over-people attitudes and behavior many universities have taken towards students over this pandemic. 

Checking back in with my alma mater, I speak with the leader and founder of ARU's rent strike movement, Marvelous Nwandu, and here about her experiences as a first year student studying in a pandemic-gripped Britain, as well as the troubles faced by those she represents. We discuss the difficulties students have coming up against private landlords; finding the confidence to speak out; and feeling crushed by the weight of not just rent, but stress brought on from external problems affecting many students in the UK.

With the ongoing pandemic and instability in the United States dominating the headlines, this week me and returning co-host, Jamie Din, look at some things that graduates wish they'd known before going to uni. We reflect; think; and offer a little advice to the would-be student, thinking about pursuing higher education in the future.

This week I'm look at Regent House's decision to turn down a motion that would promote a culture of respect on campuses and allow any speaker, regardless of there controversial opinions they may have, to speak. The move criticised by students, staff and the Union of Colleges and Universities will also prevent protests against the views of any future speakers, which begs the question: can you have free speech, without the right to protest?

In this week's episode of YouniversityCast, myself and fellow politics grad, Jamie Din, examine the happenings at the University of Manchester this last month. From the tearing down of fences, to building occupation, and a case of racial profiling which may well be the nail in the coffin of of the Vice-Chancellor's career.

This first episode of YouniversityCast takes a look at Cambridge University's big testing system and begs to ask the question: should a resource rich university be allowed to breach NHS guidelines whilst others lack access?

A channel introduction, letting you guys know what YouniversityCast is all about. 

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