According to the Higher Education Act, students have the right to be represented in all decision-making and preparatory bodies that are important for education and for the students' situation. Student representatives are found at the higher education institutions, but also at the national level! Every year, SFS nominates student representatives to several different national bodies. We have spoken to David Hedgren, who is a student representative!
Hi David! What is your role as a student representative?
I am a student representative on the board of the Ladok Consortium, and have been for almost three years. Previously, I have also been a student representative in one of the UKÄ's higher education institution reviews and in the SUHF's working group for total defense.
What does a student representative do?
Just as it sounds, you represent the students and represent them in various forums. In practical terms, this means that you attend meetings and sometimes conferences and the like. It's like any advocacy work, if you've been active in the student union or been a student representative at your university, you'll recognize it, but here it happens on a national level.
What is the best thing about being a student representative?
The best thing is that it is so educational and fun! You get to work with professionals who know a lot in their field. You can get involved in an area that you are interested in, and get new perspectives and ways of approaching problems. There are few occasions in life where you get to be part of a senior context and be taken seriously in the way that you are as a student representative. You become comfortable in such environments, and that is something that you will benefit from going forward.
It is also a unique opportunity, Sweden is one of the few countries where student representation is so well established. With that also comes a responsibility, and we students need to show that we take the assignment seriously and can be a serious party in the conversation.
Why are student representatives needed?
Because no one else can represent the students as well as the students themselves. If the students' perspective is missed, there is a risk that the education will be worse, there are many details that are important to us students, but that the universities may not always think about. Therefore, we should be represented in as many forums as possible.
Is there anything you would like to say to someone who is thinking about becoming a student representative?
Don't think too much about whether you are the right person to be a student representative. The most important thing is that you are a student, that perspective goes a long way. Don't doubt your own ability to be a student representative!
Are you interested in becoming a student representative? The position as a student representative on the Ladok Consortium board, and all other vacant student representative positions are available. here.