Today it's time for Tom Edoff, who is the student representative, to visit the blog. According to the Higher Education Act, students have the right to be represented in all decision-making and preparatory bodies that are important for the education and for the students' situation. Student representatives are partly at the higher education institutions but also at the national level. Every year, SFS nominates student representatives to various national bodies.
Hi Tom, what are your assignments as a student representative?
I am a student representative in SUHF's expert group for quality issues. In addition to me, there are several representatives from the universities in the group.
The group works broadly with issues related to quality in education and research. There has been a lot of focus on the national quality assurance system, which will soon enter its second cycle and will therefore be updated - an incredibly important assignment!
What did you learn during your assignment?
I have really gained a unique insight into how complex the system is and how different universities actually work with these issues. What different conditions they have but also what an incredible breadth there is in university Sweden.
What's the most fun about being a student representative?
The most fun thing about the assignment is that the student movement's opinions are really taken seriously. We add a perspective that can sometimes be seen as "obvious" but which is not always the case, for everyone.
Describe what it is like to be a student representative in three words?
Informative, challenging and fun!
Why are student representatives needed?
Student representatives are needed to provide a perspective on how decisions actually affect us students in our everyday lives. Only students know how students feel, we should never forget that. In all the organs where I have sat through the years, I have always felt that our voice really counts and we are listened to.
Is there anything you want to say to anyone who is considering applying for a student representative?
You do not have to be an expert on what you take assignments for - you just need to be interested! You get unique support from SFS and from those you sit with in your group.
On Wednesday 14/4 you can also follow Tom on SFS instagram @sfs_officiell where he tells more about his assignment. Earlier this year, the student representative Anton Jägare visited the blog, that post can be found here.
Are you interested in becoming a student representative? All vacant student representative assignments are posted here.