A motion to establish a nationwide network of student representatives has passed at this week’s Comhairle. The motion, proposed by International Officer Aman Bansal, intends to connect international student representatives across Irish colleges by establishing a shared network on which they can exchange information and share advice.
The motion was presented to Comhairle by Bansal and seconded by Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU/AMLCT) President Grace McNally. Sharing his personal experience, Bansal emphasised the isolation felt by International officers at Irish colleges in working with their respective institutions and the many challenges international students face across Ireland with respect to immigration and integration. This, he said, “can be used to share best practices”.
Bansal spoke about his experience having trouble in receiving adequate engagement from the relevant authorities through individual outreach alone and emphasized the ways in which a network would alleviate these challenges.
The network, proposed by the motion, would enable collective and coordinated advocacy on behalf of International Student Reps across the country so they can increase the visibility of issues affecting international students.
The motion mandates that the TCDSU president and the International Student Officer work together to establish a national network for International Student Reps. The motion recommends that this Network take shape in the form of a committee, mailing list or structured communication group. The motion also mandates that the International Student’s Officer lead initial outreach to other colleges and universities, exploring interest and the network’s feasibility.
