Robert Brown - First Student Forum a Success

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Feb 2008

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has pledged to assist students from across Glasgow in their battle for better recycling facilities, improved transport and housing, and to make bank accounts available to International students.

The pledge came at the Inaugural Glasgow Student Forum, bringing together students and politicians from all over Glasgow, which was held last week in the University of Strathclyde Students' Association.

All students who study in Glasgow were invited to attend, and over 50 crammed in to the Student Association debates chamber to hear elected representatives and fellow students speak on issues that concern them.

The Student Forum was set up to provide a platform for students, student representatives, councillors and Members of the Scottish Parliament to come together to discuss issues of concern to the Glasgow student community.

Student representatives from Strathclyde, Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian Universities were in attendance alongside reps from many of Glasgow's Further Education Colleges.

Student issues of the day, such as safety, student housing and landlords, travel, International Students in Glasgow, sustainability, access to leisure facilities, to student involvement in the Commonwealth Games were all on the agenda and contributed to a discussion which lasted just over two hours.

The forum was chaired by Gurjit Singh, President of the University of Strathclyde Students' Association. (quote below)

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown, said:

"I was delighted to take part in the first Glasgow Student Forum.

"Students often write to me about many issues, such as housing, landlords, and student debt and the Forum was a great chance to find out just how widespread some of these problems are across the whole of Glasgow, from Colleges to Universities.

"We discussed many problems - from the opening times of the subway to the lack of real time information available on some bus routes, and I am keen to see what more we can do about these issues, especially with the Underground - it's a vital transport route for students travelling between the city centre and the west end, and it's bizarre that in this day and age it closes at 6pm on a Sunday.

"I was particularly saddened to hear that International students who come to Glasgow to study are still finding it difficult to open bank accounts, despite interventions by Student Associations and myself over the years. It is high time the banks found a solution to this problem.

"It was great though, to see so many students so passionate about sustainability and recycling in Glasgow, although many complained about a lack of nearby facilities and clear information about how to recycle materials. I'd like to see these concerns resolved - installing more recycling bins near campus halls of residence would be a good start.

"Overall, the event was a great initiative, and I look forward to attending the next time"

Gurjit Singh, President of the University of Strathclyde Students Association said:

"The first Glasgow Student Forum was a resounding success.

"It made sense for us to start working collaboratively to look at student life from a broader perspective across the city.

"Students can often be a vulnerable group in society and all too often they feel like their voice isn't heard.

"So it was great to see so many students and representatives turn out to talk to each other.

"All in all there were two MSP's - Robert Brown and Patrick Harvie, and six Councillors. Chief Inspector Brian Connel, the Force Chief Crime Prevention Officer, also came along to speak to our students.

"There were many issues of concern shared by students from all over Glasgow, no matter where they were studying.

"The Strathclyde Students' Association shall be taking up many of the matters raised - from the lack of recycling facilities, the public transport issues to the concerns about safety.

"The event was a good opportunity to show students that their Student Associations' are campaigning hard on their behalf, and I look forward to organising the next one sometime soon."

Ends