Catching Up With Our Guild President

As Student Officer Elections get underway, who better to catch up with than our current President, Adnan Hussain! Having served from 2019-20 and 2020-21 it’s clear to say Adnan has a lot of experience under his belt! Have a read below to find out what he’s binge-watching, his fondest memories campaigning for Student Officer and his advice to our current candidates!

First things first, how has lockdown 3.0 been treating you? 

Lockdown 3 has been tough – there’s so much hope with things reopening from next month onwards! Saying that, I have started exercising more and eating healthier during this lockdown.

Have you been bingeing or listening to anything interesting?

 I was recently recommended Parks and Recreation and I have to say it’s a great show. I have non-stop binge watched it recently! 

What’s a typical day in the life for you as President? 

There is no typical day! In and out of a pandemic, no two days are the same. I usually see this job as 3 main things:

• Sitting on University committees which range from anything from Academic Quality to Timetabling, from the Equality Human Rights Commission Committee to Student intake strategy
• Working on your manifesto aims! Because of the pandemic I have had to adapt and reprioritise my aims for this year. I originally campaigned on tackling bus prices, and had to adapt this aim into lobbying Arriva for bus pass refunds.
• Then the rest consists of any of the following, leading speeches, focus groups with students, being involved with the Guilds recruitment for staff, open day talks and much much more.

There’s so much you can do in the role, and so much that students are not aware of. Unfortunately, it’s quite difficult to post what Guild Officers do on social media – but we try to as much as we can where we can! Towards the end of my presidency I will try and share as much as I can so students are aware of the sort of changes you can make at the University of Liverpool and beyond.

You have been Guild President now for a year and a half (an amazing achievement!) What’s the experience been like for you?

It’s been great! It’s definitely been such a learning curve getting to know how governance works and how to effectively advocate for students sitting on various committees. I had started the role, quite inexperienced and overwhelmed – but as the months progressed I picked up more things that would benefit me in the role as President. Things like public speaking, leading campaigns, advocating for change and even doing reviews of partner institution. At this point, I have been working longer virtually rather than working on campus, regardless I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

What’s your favourite part of the job?

It’s hard to pin point, but the best part of the job is working and collaborating with so many people across the country on tackling issues that affect students! Whether its fellow Guild Officers, other Student Union Presidents across the UK, students at the University or even staff!

What’s been your proudest achievement as President? 

My proudest achievement was the Refund the Rent campaign and the successes from it. Getting students the rent rebates was one of the best things I have achieved in this role. I am also really proud of making the Gladstone renaming process a student wide exercise. Because so many students were involved initially since 2017, it was only right that students had the final say on what the name should be changed to.

Student Officer Elections are coming up- what was your fondest memory campaigning?

I really enjoyed the overall experience. Back in 2019, it was nothing like I had ever done before and well out of my comfort zone. I think to push myself out there was one of the best decisions I had ever made – certainly gave me more confidence to do public speaking! I didn’t really have a campaign team. I had friends who would wear my t-shirts and help me put up posters, but I more or less just campaigned by myself with reusable Asda carrier bag that contained flyers and my lunch as did continuous laps around campus. It was ridiculous but so much fun!

Do you have any advice for our prospective nominees?

My one piece of advice would be to just be yourself! Sounds cheesy and cliché but the more your personality shines in what you do the more likely student voters are able to relate to it.

Finally, as your term as Guild President comes to an end, what will you miss the most about the role? 

I will miss doing such a high rewarding job. Being able to make changes, leading on projects; gaining experience in chairing, recruitment, reviewing – there’s just so much skills you can pick up and I am forever grateful for the experience.  I have made good friends with colleagues at the Guild, fellow officers in the Guild, John Moores, Hope and beyond too. There’s so much good you can do in this role and I will certainly miss this when I leave in July.

Want to know more? 

Did you know that Liverpool Guild Student Media is the Official Media Partner of the 2021/22 Student Officer Elections? Check out our “On Campus” section for all things candidates and elections!

As always you can catch up on all our current Officer Team’s work via the Liverpool Guild Of Students website!

Fancy a trip down memory lane? 

No problem! We’ve got you covered! Check out our interview with the 2019/20 Student Officer team here, and our interview with the 2020/21 Student Officer Team here!

Feature Image Credit; Liverpool Guild Of Students