Meet Your Department Rep – Nikolay Naydenov, Finance, Investment and Risk
Whilst studying at university, students have the opportunity to represent the needs of students in their course in the form of Class and Department Representatives.
GCU’s Department Reps exist to support the work of Class Representatives and build links between them, their wider School and the Students' Association.
In their role as a Department Rep, they are expected to keep in touch with the Class Representatives in their department and produce a report for the Students' Association once per trimester.
We caught up with our Accountancy, Finance and Risk Department Rep Nikolay Naydenov to find out about why he decided to become a Department Rep and learn about him as a person:
What year of study are you in?
I’m in my third year and I’m studying Finance, Investment and Risk.
What made you want to become Department Rep?
I wanted to become a department representative because I wanted to make a positive change in the academic process and to be part of the solution for some of the problems that students face.
What's involved in the role?
The role is about gathering a lot of feedback from the students within your department or class. We have meetings where we discuss if there are any issues or questions related to the learning experience at GCU that the students have shared with us. We also think about solutions and how we can improve their experience at GCU.
What have you been working on/what do you plan on working on?
I’ve been communicating with the students in my department about the issues that they face, especially with lectures, seminars and exams being online. I’ve been also working with the lecturers ensuring that all of the learning materials are accessible and all of the exams are as fair as possible for the students, in the current environment. As the exam period has ended, I plan to get some feedback and see if there have been some problems with the online format of the exams.
What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a department or class rep in future?
I think that it is a great opportunity for them to be involved in something important and make a real change. There is also a lot of support and help provided, so you shouldn’t be worried about the role, at all.
More information about Nikolay
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
I think that we are all looking forward with hope that the current situation with COVID and the lockdown will improve and we will be able to return, at least partially, to normal life. I want to travel again, without worrying about PCR tests, cancelled flights, etc!
What is your favourite food?
I think that I just love FOOD, all types of food. I love cooking, eating… so yes, food in general.
If you could be one person in the world for the day, who would it be and why?
I would like to be Jeff Bezos and transfer some of his wealth into my bank account.
First place you'll go on holiday after pandemic?
I will go for а week of hiking and camping in the beautiful Bulgarian mountains, away from civilization, technology and problems.
You've been sent to a desert island but can only take one item...what are you taking with you?
A satellite phone, so I can call for help!
Find out more about Department Reps on the GCU Students’ Association website
By Rachael McAlonan
Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media