Roksana provides a strong voice for her RHD peers
CQUniversity Research Higher Degree student and academic casual' Roksana Tumpa' is helping to enhance the student experience.
Roksana is responsible for representing her Research Higher Degree peers as an elected representative on the CQUniversity Research Committee and Student Representative Council (SRC).
From voicing suggestions and concerns to organising events and seeking out new professional opportunities' Roksana says the SRC plays an integral role in the student learning journey.
"Students are a key stakeholder of any university' and it is extremely important that the student voice is heard and valued'" she says.
"The SRC aims to unite the student body with fairness' respect' and constructive progress' to directly contribute to enhancing the student experience.
"CQUniversity values 'openness' and through SRC representation' we can ensure that its student policies and procedures are informed by students."
It's advocacy opportunities like this that contributed to CQUniversity's recent success in the third edition of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
CQUniversity ranked 101-200 out of 653 participating institutions for its promotion of just' peaceful' and inclusive societies.
In addition to her SRC role' Roksana also represents Research Higher Degree candidates on CQUniversity's Research Committee.
"The CQUniversity Research Committee reviews and recommends policies' procedures' practices' and regulations governing research higher degrees'" she says.
"I am responsible for voicing my cohort's concerns and suggestions and contributing to the research processes that impact my cohort directly.
"I am always encouraged to put forward my views' on behalf of my cohort; all of which are positively received and appreciated. Much of my feedback results in tangible benefits for the research higher degree candidate experience. "
Roksana says both roles require her to continually seek feedback in order to elevate the student voice.
"I have been trusted to represent my Research Higher Degree candidate cohort in CQUniversity's decision-making processes'" she says.
"Therefore' I must constantly engage with my peers directly' either face-to-face or virtually' to ensure their voices are heard.
"I attend CQUniversity's Let Us Talk sessions every term' volunteer as a Research Higher Degree Mentor' and publish content in research-related newsletters.
"Presenting content in various forms helps me to increase my visibility and reaffirms to my cohort that they can reach out to me with any feedback' concerns' and queries' at any time."
Roksana says that although both positions come with great responsibility' both are extremely rewarding.
"These are extremely exciting roles that help me connect and network with various internal and external professionals' assist fellow students to have their voices heard' and participate in various events'" she says.
Professionally' Roksana adds that these positions have helped her gain the interpersonal skills and team attributes required for the real world.
"One way to develop transferrable and soft skills' all while challenging yourself and making a difference' is to serve as a student representative'" she says.
"Even though 2020 and 2021 have been challenging years' I think being a student representative helped me in a number of ways.
"I was able to develop my skills' make new friends and expand my network with professionals.
"The positions allowed me to enjoy my research studies even more' despite the ongoing circumstances."
