Caroline and Charlotta reflect on Almedalen Week
Eager to receive the message about which map we have received for our upcoming trip, we open our e-mail baskets today to read the admission notice for the autumn courses. A message that quickly goes from a zeal to questions such as: Where should I live? What will the teaching be like? How can I become a part of student life?
During Almedalen Week, we touched on many of the issues that can be seen as obstacles for students. To put the spotlight on us students, we arranged a workshop on pedagogy in the university, on how we can develop pedagogy so that no one should have to feel that "everyone understands except me". We arranged mingling for an open and equal university for everyone so that we thousands of students in the university world feel that it is for all of us. We also had it Best party in a student housing!
A home - a home
We got the student housing that we had access to without having to queue, apply to an insecure second-hand market while waiting for access to a long-term solution or pay an usury rent for it. A golden situation that unfortunately very few of the country's students get to experience. We discussed this precisely because through its unique design and rules, the student housing has created a discussion in society that we students can live a little differently. Different does not necessarily have to be worse, but just like everyone else, we need freedom of choice in the supply of housing that exists in relation to our economic conditions. In the discussion, voices are heard that suggest that it is possible to prioritize the kitchen and replace it with a microwave and a freezer compartment. That with accessibility-adapted construction is not as prioritized, as we after all only live there for a short time of our lives. We students are not a homogeneous group. What we have in common is that we are resource-poor and should choose education interest, not if there is access to a home.
During a seminar entitled "Where should corporate employees live?" we were invited to the discussion that flourished in this spring's current Spotify. The question we asked ourselves was instead "where should the students live?". There is a national housing shortage. From admission to the start of the semester, not many queue days have time to gather. How can we, without a safe home, focus fully on our studies?
Maximize learning!
Together with SULF, we arranged a packed seminar on higher education pedagogy. Sweden even Professor of higher education pedagogy Max Scheja began by talking about academic teaching. For us students, it is an extremely important issue that is basically about justice and equal conditions for learning. We must be able to participate in an education confident in the knowledge that our teachers have been caught up in and participate in a system that puts students' learning at the center.
Taking advantage of student engagement and student participation as a key role in learning is already a well-established approach at European level. Now it has finally started to make its mark here in Sweden as well, mainly through the new quality assurance system. It's a great success, but we can not stay there.
The university is not in balance. Research is rewarded, and pedagogy is seen as a side job. We can no longer look at the business as different tracks on the way to a common goal. In order to really achieve success, it is required that responsibility is taken from both national, university and student quarters for all carriages to run on the same track. The link between research and teaching is crucial for the university's survival. Who will pick up the baton if not us?
Ready to face tomorrow's challenges?
We want a high-quality university where we students are prepared to meet tomorrow's challenges in a globalized world. On the other hand, we have had tuition fees in Sweden since 2011, which has meant that the number of international students has decreased. Then as now, we mean that tuition fees must be abolished.
The question of the value of international students and proposals to, among other things, establish a national scholarship fund were raised during a panel discussion. The scholarships compensate for the tuition fees and are generally aimed at the most "talented" students. A rhetoric that is foreign to us in relation to the parallel discourse on broadened recruitment. The most talented and suitable student is the one who has a motivation and a drive to learn more.
We hope that all of you who have been accepted are given equal opportunities to be students with students from other countries and backgrounds, and that together in the classroom you will develop your critical perspectives. Who knows, you too may be interested in traveling and doing an exchange or internship in another country. There we all need equal conditions to be able to take the step. For many students, the worry of not being able to get the points they take abroad credited is discouraging. Whether it is a myth or reality is high time to investigate!
Many decision-makers stare blindly at mobility statistics, we want to turn our attention to what we do to promote internationalization at home. Teaching in English is not enough. New initiatives are needed regarding pedagogy as well as learning environments at the country's higher education institutions.
The future of student influence
During the year, UKÄ investigates the student unions' independence following a long-awaited announcement from the government. This means that UKÄ will analyze what is required for a strong and independent student influence.
The uneven conditions that exist for student unions around the country have led to large differences in the possibilities of actually fulfilling the assignment that the unions have according to the Higher Education Act, see Chapter 4, § 9.
- In order to create more stable conditions for student unions to actively work with and develop their activities in relation to their purpose, SFS pressed during the week on three main points: 1. It is necessary to create jointly agreed criteria and process for the country's universities. These need to be developed nationally in collaboration with the student unions.
2. The state needs to investigate the financing of student unions so that it takes place in relation to theirs main purpose and financial independence.
3. Students must be co-actors within the academy. Student participation should therefore be included as a concrete part of the teaching.
Who did not get a place?
Of the almost 268 admitted, we may be more. More people should be able to gain access to an education. This through a more accessible and clearer access system for all. A system that also makes it possible for more people to start studying later in life. In order for us to get there, we want to see an abolition of the credit points that exist in upper secondary school to promote educational choices based on interest and motivation and not according to whether the right tactical choices were made in primary and secondary school. The university entrance examination should return to being a second chance and its design should be reviewed. Work experience should be a way in that can also provide the prior knowledge required to be able to actively participate in the education.
The temple of knowledge in the middle of the village
We were also invited to a panel discussion on the responsibility of higher education regarding democracy and the people's ability to handle a complex reality. It is our firm belief that education creates commitment to the society you live in, and an opportunity to actively participate and participate in it. That is why it is particularly important that more people are given the opportunity to be active citizens!
The incredible hike
Congratulations to all of you who have now been admitted to higher education! Now your journey begins, and we hope that you and us will continue to fight for better higher education that more people can be a part of. Student union Sweden tirelessly acts as a guardian and voice that monitors and develops our interests. Always ready.