Seán Keaney, Manifesto
Hi there! My name is Seán “Skeano” Keaney (he/him) and I am running to be your next Academic Officer.
I am a final year Business Studies with Spanish student hailing from Sligo. I believe I would be a great fit in this role as I Know the ins and outs of most academic opportunities at the University of Limerick. I’ve been able to go on Erasmus and placement whilst also going through exams and repeats in UL. With all this experience I believe I can work with you, to make all of these processes a bit easier for students. We all want the best from our degree, and I hope I can help others get to the finish line with minimal headaches.
Academic Services:
Enhancing Academic Support Services: I will try to expand and improve academic support services such as tutoring, study groups, and academic advising to ensure that all students receive the assistance they need to excel in their studies. This will also include a more optimised library space to ensure exam time is a bit less stressful when trying to find an adequate space to study.
Improving Technology Integration: I will commit to improving the integration of technology in education by advocating for upgrades to classroom technology and supporting the development of online learning resources, This will include the integration of digital student cards for your phone.
Improved Commuting options: I will advocate for new virtual spaces where students who are commuting can organise safe carpooling trips. This will reduce costs for students who are travelling with spaces in their vehicles, whilst also giving students a cheaper and more efficient alternative to public transport.
Erasmus:
Expanded Funding Opportunities: Advocate for increased funding for Erasmus students to help cover living expenses, travel costs, and cultural activities. This would make the program more accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Increased Access to Housing: Collaborate with partner universities and local housing providers to secure affordable and safe housing options for Erasmus students, including dormitory accommodations, shared apartments, and host family placements.
Academic Support Services: Ensure that Erasmus students have access to academic support services such as tutoring, academic advising, and study resources to help them succeed academically during their exchange period.
Post-Exchange Support: Provide post-exchange support services for returning Erasmus students This could include a partner programme with students who are thinking about choosing the Erasmus programme. These partners would be able to share great insights from their time abroad.
Cooperative Education:
Feedback Mechanisms: Establish a system for collecting feedback from students, employers, and supervisors to evaluate the effectiveness of the work placement program and identify areas for improvement. This will include Scheduling regular check-ins with students during their work placements to provide support, monitor progress, and address any challenges or concerns they may encounter.
Post-Placement Support: Provide more post-placement support services to help students transition back to academic life after completing their work placements, including debriefing sessions, career counselling, and assistance with resume updating and job applications.