Involved, Engaged and Constructive: Students as Change Agents Today
Go to class, take a seat, listen, do homework, take exams (and sometimes retake those exams). This is the normal academic life of a student, or it used to be. The desire for student engagement is on the increase and is a powerful demand: very often it is possible to see teenagers in action, whether they be organising strikes or participating in international conferences.
Teen activism is on the rise and is calling for the attention of society as a whole. Meanwhile, delivering student satisfaction is a key driver in determining government policy changes and as a result, educational institutions have a major responsibility when it comes to directing their students.
Conscious of this, the University of Manchester held the 2017 AUA Conference, where representatives of UK Universities discussed approaches towards improving students’ engagement. Since then, several universities in the country have adopted a programme called “Students as Change Agents”.

Image from https://www.studentengagement.ac.uk/
This article will argue that Students as Change Agents is a promising programme which involves students in delivering changes both within the academy and beyond.
What is “Students as Change Agents”?
Students as Change Agents is a new approach which perceives the students as powerful allies in making necessary changes both in the academic environment and in society at large. This method encourages students to think and be more active. In effect, it is a safe laboratory where they can create and innovate and thus be the change they demand to see.
Read More
There are many areas where students can work within the programme. At the University of Nottingham, for example, students can choose areas that range from Learning for Employability to Sustainable Practices in the University. At the same university, on both its UK and its China campuses, students have developed online resources with the objective of helping foreign students adapt to the learning environment of the host country. The agents have also influenced curriculum restructuring within the School of Biosciences. How does it work?
This model works on the basis of a multi-disciplinary environment – one including external partners – which offers opportunities for real-life experiences. The methodology is simple: the universities issues open calls for the various topics to be discussed and the students can take part in those calls, and the objectives, published target, and other important data are all specified. When a group has formed, it is the time for the “real work”, when they can start discussions and planning for the actions within the designated objective, a process which can also be extended. The role played by each student will vary from project to project: they can be the project leader, or they can work collaboratively with the staff delivering it, as partners.
What are the benefits? The benefits from it are extensive. From students’ side, by working with real problems, they get to develop practical skills, such as critical thinking and project management skills; moreover, by working in an interdisciplinary environment, they get to develop their soft skills, ranging from communication to conflict resolution, leadership, problem solving, and team work skills. In addition, from the university’s, employers’ and wider society’s perspective, we all benefit from the projects developed by the students. To conclude, the Students as Change Agents programme, or indeed any programme with the same purposes, crucially perceives youth as allies. This cooperation can be the key to a brighter future.
Author:
Article Writer & Content Contributor
- March 17, 2020

Share this article:
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed in this article/publication are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of GiLE or its members.
Read more articles:

Authentic Assessment and Student Employability
Authentic assessment is a way of testing your skills and knowledge in a real-world context, which can help you achieve your goals.

Partnering with DOSZ
The GiLE Foundation is partnering with DOSZ and is empowering the next generation of early-career researchers.

Sustainable Development and Skills for the Green Transition
Our recent event discussed the EU’s funding instruments and their role in transitioning to a more sustainable economy.

Lifelong learning? About 365 days a year!
Learning is a never-ending process: many chances are given day to day to grow and be better version of ourselves – so just seize the day!

TOP 10 books to start your reading career with
Books are magical gateways to whole new universes if we get to know them closely – but how and where to start?

Reading to the mind = Exercise to the body?
Have you heard that reading and books are vital tools not only in information exchange but also in our character development?!