As a candidate for Academic Affairs Committee Head, I am sure it is very easy to get covered with serving the school more than serving the students. However, it is worthy of note to mention that, by listening to the students and understanding their issues, needs and or wants, I will be able to work better with pushing, assisting and empowering the school to build better academic systems.

Academic Affairs could sometimes be primarily based on what systems and policies are set in place and sometimes it could be about following the set-out system design to empower students to get the best education at ALU.

I said a lot in my manifesto and probably you are wondering how this could be executed or is it just some other political strategy? It sure isn’t a political strategy, and I hope to prove that to you below.

NOTE: The timeline mentioned can be delayed due to unforeseen challenges or drawbacks. However, the aim is to make them work at the end of the day or set a worthy foundation for the next person who will take on this role with the former being my primary focus.

Stage 1: Accountability and Transparency on my side

I plan to use a task management tool or basic excel sheet that will be accessible to all students to track the progress of my projects (those listed in my manifesto) and give updates on what is happening with each project.

Stage 2: Executing the projects on the Manifesto

Month 1 – 4

• Building a system to assist class representatives: How? This will include training of class representatives (this would be discussed further with class reps). Creating a decentralize and effective feedback process i.e you don’t have to go straight to your facilitator to give feedback (if you don’t want to) but you can share that feedback with your class rep or with me.
• Student review of class: How? This will be a platform or box (still thinking about it) where you can drop the daily review(s) of your class. The aim is to get your opinion on what your class was like immediately after the class or probably in that week. It won’t be compulsory (obviously) but it might help improve your class sessions.
• Rate my Module/Leadership Core Course: How? This will be done biweekly using a scale of 0–10 and a short reason for the scale you have selected. NB: I plan not to make it come in an email format, as this could be tiring for most students.
• Design of a pre-university transition scheme: How? First, the scheme is to assist everyone (especially those coming directly from high school and non-English speaking students) transition smoothly into the leadership core and into the degree programmes (these two are low-key different). Why? To Achieve the best value for your money, excellent understanding of what you have been taught and awesome grades. The design will be in collaboration with the academic department and a whole lot of feedback from the students on how best to do this.
• Support service for disabled students: How? To be honest, I am not sure how I will do this yet because I am yet to have discussions with students in this bracket. However, it is my priority to have this discussion with them and to do more research as to how best to deliver this. NB: I am building systems, therefore, this will be in form of a system that will be sustainable.
• Early Notification of Exam Results: How? This will be in collaboration with the Registrar’s office. The aim is to help students get to see their results early, so as to plan for the future i.e either getting better grades or preparing early for resists.
• Return of Exam scripts and Provision of examples of first class and third class exam answers: How? I already had this discussion with Theo (the Head of College) and he mentioned how tricky this could be because of the various stakeholders involved (including GCU). However, any updates on this will be posted on my manifesto tracking platform.
• Ensure that there are study spaces on campus and ensure that current spaces are optimized for working/studying: How? As we look forward to moving to the new campus, I will be aiming to make sure that study spaces are created and maintained by the SRC (i.e myself with the support of the SRC team of course). This will help to foster a better study culture at ALU.
• All mental health-related issues: How? Also, I already spoke to Theo about this, as Mental Health exist but culture (African culture), has made mental health almost a myth. This is an issue I hope not to create (i.e if it doesn’t exist) but I aim to assist students who feel excluded from classrooms or academics because of a mental health issue. The request to effectively position ALU Wellness team to support students will be a priority as I tackle this issue.
• On textbooks, a better library and wifi: How? For me, this isn’t just a system issue but an issue I believe will keep arising (coughs — wifi). Therefore, I will be opened 24–7 to issues that arise in relation to this — especially the case of wifi usage for an academic or educational purpose.
• Hard Skills Workshop: How? I most likely will do this in collaboration with the club and societies and facilitators. The idea is to get more students to have targeted skills that a necessary for specific roles or companies in the real world as compared to just having soft skill by graduation.
• Lobbying for Lynda or HBX for all: How? As we all know, Lynda or HBX can help you comprehend more, some of what we learn in class. However, what used to be available for all before is now limited to selected majors. The aim of the lobby is to understand why this was done and if it can be reversed. There is no assurance on the delivery of this project as the school might give reasons which include finances, however, the aim is to push for it and or find useful solutions/platforms to substitute them.

I am sure you noticed that I mentioned that I will finish all these in the time frame of four months. Right?

WRONG.

Actually, all of what I have mentioned here (which you can also find in my manifesto) will begin in this time frame but some might be completed before, after or just on time i.e by the 4th Month.

However, all this will be tracked and you will have access to see what I am working on at any particular time.

Thank you for reading.

Please, go out to vote and remember to vote for me :) — If you have any question, kindly comment below.

Obadeyi Oluseye Agbolade for Academic Affairs Committee Head.

Thank you.

The campaign period is here for the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the ALC Mauritius campus.

To assist you in understanding what I stand for during this election (though I run unopposed), I will like to share my manifesto with you.

Why? This is to get your feedback, advise and or comments as to what you think can be done or that I have missed in the manifesto.

Looking forward to working with you all (ALC Students) as we build this institution together. Below is my manifesto :)

Hi, I’m Obadeyi Oluseye, a third-year business management student and I would love to be your Academic Affairs Committee Head (AACH). Some of you might know me as business management class representative where thanks to all my classmates and their feedback, we were able to help the school deliver the business management module in a better way to the coming class. I have had a great time so far serving as a class rep and will endeavor to bring all the valuable experience already gained as a class representative and channel it into this AACH role.

Before you read my manifesto, I would like to tell you why I’m running for Academic Affairs Committee Head.

This role is actually all about YOU, your education and your welfare. I hope to represent students on matters relating directly to students’ education like teaching quality, library provision and feedback. However, I know that sometimes we all need advice, support, and a listening ear. For me balancing the need for academic success with happiness, health and support are extremely important and determines your university experience as a whole. My aim is to ensure that every student has access to whatever support they need in order to make their time at ALU as wonderful as possible.

I aim to provide a direct link between you, the SRC and the university’s Academic Team. If there is something that you want to see improved that doesn’t appear on this manifesto, get in touch, as I want to represent YOU!

If elected as AAC Head, I intend to:

Be Approachable, Clear and Representative.

My Policies include:

TEACHING AND SUPPORT

Launch:

1. A pre-university transition scheme,
2. Pre-exam workshops,
3. Student review of class,
4. Class rep system,
5. Hard Skills Workshop
6. Mental Health/Wellbeing Specialist System for Students
7. Training on mental health for general staff members (so that they can understand what it means to them and the students),
8. and a ‘Rate my Module’ page

Ensure:

1. Early notification of results for all students especially to those who may have resists and that academic advisors are assigned to all degree programmes.
2. Return of Exam scripts and Provision of examples of first class and third class exam answers.
3. That I work with departments to provide more support for study abroad students (both ALC students and International study abroad students).

Improve:

1. The support service for disabled students, speed up the process of applying for support and ensure the staffs are implementing Reasonable Adjustments.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT

• Ensure that there are study spaces on campus and ensure that current spaces are optimized for working/studying.
• Ensure that facilities for learning are provided, well accessible and efficient which includes, but is not limited to: a proper library with module textbooks and more time to access the books at the library and good internet bandwidth for all students.

CONTINUE

• Lobbying to bring Lynda or Harvard HBX back.

I am passionate about ALU and would be honored and privileged to serve you in the year ahead.

Vote Obadeyi Oluseye Agbolade for Academic Affairs Committee Head (AACH).

I usually thank my friends/brothers after they help me do something or allow me watch a Real Madrid game over Man Utd or Arsenal’s game. Sometimes after giving me proper feedback or giving me experienced based advices about networking and or relationships. These guys, make life awesome, frustrating, funny, annoying, happy, cheerful, puzzling, crazy and insightful.

They are family away from family.

In no particular order:

My BFF, that most people think I took a L from (even if I did — which I didn’t, it is still not your L), Hellen. Awesome, smart, wise, and forever annoying. If there is anything that disappears into the air faster than gas, it is this lady. She can be missing when she is needed the most but somehow always covers for it with one meeting. I don’t even miss her again seff…but God knows she is one special-special person to me. Thanks for being awesome.

The “core” brothers: Morema, Sandile, Serigne, Tinotenda, Amani, Faisal, Bernard, Temitope, Lethabo, Siphosethu aka Batshuayi, Grishon, Suleiman (God shall repair that quiet life for you), Emmanuel, Magagula (I have brothers for days).

These boys are the definition of family.

From the days of one-bottle-a-man (we love drinking water — shout out to Daniel N’guessan for being our wonderful brother on tour) to the days of watching soccer together and making jokes and languages only “the circle” will understand. These boys have been there all the way. To talk about each one of them will have to be in another post but if you are to bet on one thing, it will be that they all are battling one hilarious illness or the other (this is why you all need a bae in the medical field — coughs).

PS: They are not like sick-sick. Its just that they are not well.

To the guys who trusted my vision and began a business with me: Tomi (she is like a sister too…I don’t even know what she is seff) and Hossam.

These two went all out to help me grow my startup and went to meetings with me. Convincing big companies to take on consultants with experience with classroom-real life project work. Not an easy feat but we pulled through. They know their stuff and I am proud to have them as Co-Founders.

The big brothers who are always advising me: Dennis and Antonio.

Dennis, all I can say is that you are crazy in the most hilarious way. Real advises all the way. Also, always there for me to whoop on FIFA (don’t fight it). First roommate on campus and since then, this guy has been real with me all the way. — — — — — Yeah! Antonio. Will be dumb not to mention you and all your “foresight”. Seeing things is a specialty only the wise have got. You are a wise one. More insight lessons from you hopefully.

To the super special Kenyans & Ghanaian in my life: Wangui, Flora, Nicole, and Lawrenda.

If I need any consulting service or advice — mostly those ones that have to do with *coughs*…these crew is the best to visit. With everyone of them having one speciality, I can be sure to stay on the right path (that is if I listen to them). Day 1s all the way, I must add. One of them is brutally and un-emotionally honest though…If only the Law could Render her out of my list, I will also do it without catching feelings. :P

The squad of advisers and primarily feedback givers: MBM, AP (both names sounding like filling station names), Maingi, Mativo, Nini, Bangura, Jean, Chada, Mary, Given, Tinashe (this dude means a lot), Insene, Angela, Angel, Noah, and Arinze (Chairman).

Just as the bold sentence shows. These are the guys who give me feedback from anything to everything. You know, like, feedback on how to communicate certain views to how to build a team to how to study better to politics to business to entrepreneurship etc. These ones, make me see my F ups and show me how to fix them. Feedbacks do magic and these guys for me are the magicians behind the improvement in certain aspects of my life.

The Wifey (I am still single o…since there is no ring in any finger yet — for both parties): Luba.

Even though I don’t get to see her a lot (it’s obviously not my fault), these lady is special. Don’t ask me how, just don’t hurt her. If you are not hurt by the time I know about it (she probably would rip you apart), then you should be worried when I find out. This is the first case of words can’t express how special someone is (not like the things I have typed are not words).

Aburo of Life (I am laughing as I type this one): Ebele

YOU! You are just not well on your own. Otan!!! (Otan is Yoruba for Finish and Aburo is Yoruba for younger sibling)

Comman beat me. I have said it.

All love for Ebele. She is basically family. And you know what they say about Family — they are all that matters. Nuff said.

Spiritual Brothers and Sisters: Takaendesa, Salami, Allen (not sure how you made it to this part of the list), Simiso, Elsa and Selasi.

Thank God for the presence of this fellows.

May God continue to build you from strength to strength and from Glory to Glory as you inspire others in the community.

One major IG joker: Ashraf.

You are getting blocked soon.

As annoying as this guy can be as an RA…He still matters. Thanks for being so not useful on my IG. I know its a sign of love. I love you back too.

The extended set of family and Tweet-ers: Mubarak (Ol G), Lucia, Atabs, Chebo, Lala, Meklit.

Hypertech — late night.

The discussions made at this gathering, stays in this gathering. Just know with Lala, Lucia and Chebo in the mix, “Discussions” shall come alive. You all make my night and my gist period. You sure get it. Don’t let us talk about the rest in public.

PS: Don’t hurt cats around Lala and Chebo. Their love for that “being” makes you wonder why they have not got their official cats yet. #sigh

To Rwanda with Love: Annick, Lea and Fionah

I love having conversations with every single one of these ladies. Different insights from different people.

Annick you are smart and funny (what will life be without you). Lea, God bless you for blessing others. Fionah, thanks for such a caring spirit.

Let me end this (I am already getting tired seff) with my honorable mentions.

Would have written about these guys but then, another day, FOR SURE.

Honorable 5 Star Mentions: Seygua & Mfonn

Sleep is in my eye. I have work tomorrow. So, that will be all.

NOTE: I love everyone I have interacted with for more than 5mins. You all are awesome.

One of these days I will write an appreciation post for you guys and surely one for my mentors turn brothers or will I call them “pushers”? *pensive thinking*

Anyway, till then.

Let me try to be deep with these last word from my aunty, Oprah Winfrey, she said, and I quote,

“ Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough”

Thank you guys.

Love you all.

Person X:

RE: Request for mentorship

Dear Name of Potential Mentor:

I attended a series of lectures you gave on Online Entrepreneur Endeavors at Name of Institution and learned a lot about starting my e-commerce business. I believe that it would greatly enhance my chance of success were I able to have some mentoring at this point. I would like the opportunity to gain first-hand insight about e-commerce.

My wish is to meet you for about one hour twice per month to discuss my business efforts. I have done the groundwork, and the business is now online. I would make an agenda for the meeting as well as a list of the ways in which I followed up any advice or suggestions you give. I plan to spend at least five hours each week following up on our discussions.

I understand that your time is very valuable and that you have a busy schedule. If you are unable to grant my wish, I will completely understand. If possible, I would like to discuss my request with you at a time that is convenient for you.

I can be reached at Phone Number or at Email Address at any time. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Signature of Requesting Person

Printed Name of Requesting Person

DISCLAIMER: This might not resonate with you, and you might not agree with this, so, therefore, do well to share your opinion(s) in the comment session. Thank you

Many people, mostly between the ages of 15–30 have come to see support systems (including people, institutions, and networks) as a path to success and or accomplishment.

In the actual sense, success, excellent work and or accomplishments are the ways to gain “super” networks and or support systems.

I come from a background where people go to hard working and busy people to ask for support in the form of mentorship, investments or advisory meetings only for them to get turned down and they begin to cry about how one generation is not helping the other to grow.

Proceeding onward into a space where I was fortunate to meet more persevering and much more youthful individuals, I have come to understand that getting an excellent support network cannot be accomplished by only sending two or three emails or by just conversing with the target person, but instead, it involves me also putting my energy into doing brilliant work and sharing my knowledge with others.

Also, one important portion of all these includes my willingness to want to learn.

How do you even want someone you’re not willing to learn from in your network in the first place?

The formula for Positioning “Yourself to a Great Network or Support System” is — — Hard work + Excellent Delivery (put in effort at least) + Communication + Fervor & Persistence + Willingness to learn and share

Hard Work

Oxford Dictionary defines hard work as “A great deal of effort or endurance.”

I believe in the pursuit of “great” networks or support system, you as a person should be able to put in a “great” deal of effort and endure many setbacks to set yourself apart from the rest of your peers.

One of Mark Zuckerberg’s most pivotal early connections was Sean Parker, who opened the door to Facebook’s first investments. But Zuckerberg didn’t reach out to Parker; he got a cold email from Parker, who had seen thefacebook.com on his roommate’s girlfriend’s computer. Zuckerberg started building his own social network indirectly by building a website for social networking.

When you put in your fair share of hard work, not only will you make great networks but most likely, the people you want will come to you.

Excellent Delivery

As it implies, delivering outstanding or extremely good work is a good indicator that you know what you are doing.

The funny thing about delivery and the people you might want in your network is that they will find out if you put in effort in your work. Therefore, whether it is excellent or not, the attempt to deliver something excellent will always reflect if you truly try to deliver top-notch work.

Communication

First, let me say that as an Introvert if the first two is taken care of, you will most likely not have a problem. Use the case of Zuckerberg as an example.

However, for Ambiverts and Extroverts, the first two elements of the equation will help but if you can communicate with ease. You know there is no reason you should not work on your communication skills if it comes to you naturally.

Communication could, however, be tricky because informal, formal and “business casual” forms of communication are different and could deliver different results if executed well.

Need help with how you communicate with others? Google will help your life in this case.

Fervor & Persistence

This has been my mantra for a while now.

What is fervor? Google dictionary defines it as an “intense and passionate feeling” while persistence can be defined as “the fact of continuing in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.”

Remember, hard work is a great deal of effort or endurance. I think it is fair to say that for hard work to happen, you have to be persistent. If you do not have to persist, I am not sure the word “work” will have the luxury of having the word “hard” in it.

In simple terms, I will say fervor means that you have to love what you are doing to be able to network with the right people.

Hypothetically, let us say there is a tech startup that is looking to grow and or learn how to be better as a tech company (they do not need investment). If the leadership of this company is focused on money and rubbing shoulders with the rich and mighty, you will find them reaching out to Dangote or Patrice Motsepe. This is to say that the company might never grow to where it needs to be because the love for the company or its vision is not there but rather the passion is more for wealth and probably power.

While you need fervor, when the bridges are burnt, and you need to paddle a canoe to cross to the other side of your dreams or goals, you will need to bring persistence into the picture.

These couples will put you in the presence of investors and among networks who never even wanted to listen to you.

Try them.

Willingness to Learn and Share.

The last element of the equation is also an important key. Why?

Why would I want to be in your network if I will not learn anything from you? It will be unfair to my energy and time if I do this.

To sustain the network you have made, I believe you should learn to learn from them because that way you can show them the impact they have made in your life and how far you have grown. Most times, they will see this for themselves.

No person is an Island of knowledge, that is to say, you having a mentor or people in your network doesn’t mean you can’t share anything with them.

Learn to share knowledge with your network and or mentors because that way both parties are benefitting and thus could lead to more opened doors with other potential targets for your network.

In summary, I will say, the email by Person X shows a person who has the components of networking figured out and guess what…He might never get a response. At this point, he/she must learn to persist and seek support from other people.

That is what life offers. Learn to fight for that which you want.

“It’s not about who you think you know, but about who actually knows you.” ― Akilnathan Logeswaran

Get people to know you or want to know you.

Good luck.

Sample email source

We Appreciate You!

Every time you get a feeling that you are not doing enough or that your results are not satisfactory, I want you to know that there are people in here and out there who really appreciate the work you are doing and just want to see ALU become the best that there is.

For every comment you hear about you not trying your best or not meeting up to expectations, know there’s someone out there who is thankful every single day that we have such qualified educators & administrators in ALU doing the impossible work, that is educating every unique and outstanding student from different cultures and background across the continent. Just the idea of being in a “traditional” university makes me feel panicky. And yes, I know what it is like to be in a traditional university, having studied for 3.5 years in the University of Lagos, I would say, ALU has done what I couldn’t have imagined seeing in the walls of UNILAG. I don’t think we (students) can do the tasks you do in making this work all by ourselves, but I want to appreciate the opportunity you give to us in building and designing the school experience together.

I just want to say thank you.

• We appreciate every hour you spend away from your own families to work for and with other Parent kids. We appreciate all the days you stay late, or come in early, and all the nights you miss your favorite family time or shows because you’re designing sessions.
• We appreciate every hour you spend in meetings, planning and discussing and preparing and assessing. We appreciate your expertise and the education and training that makes you singularly qualified to do what you do.
• We appreciate your willingness to put up with all of our questions, concerns, emails, calls, and your amazing ability to deal with every student — from the overly dramatic ones amongst us to those you never see.
• We appreciate every hour you spend making sure we understand some concepts some of our parents, friends and mentors never even had the opportunity to study or make sense of (Data & Decisions, Entrepreneurial Leadership, C++, Scientific management, Foreign Direct Investment, Circuits, Signals & Systems).
• We appreciate every cup of morning coffee you miss, every bathroom break you don’t get, every rushed step you take to meet the demands of your days.
• We appreciate the care you take to make sure we know our value is more than a grading system.
• We appreciate the time you take to talk to us, and get to know us — in the cafeteria, after learning sessions, at assembly, during office hours. We appreciate the sense of family and community this creates for us, and especially those who may not have those connections outside of ALU.
• We appreciate the example you set for us of the value of education, of being safe, respectful, and responsible. These lessons are sinking in.
• We appreciate the personality, the joy, and the love you bring into ALU.

Thank you! For every single thing you do.
It might seem like it goes unnoticed, but it’s never unappreciated.

On a lighter note, while I understand we don’t have a “staffulty appreciation day” at ALU just like we have “father's day” or “mother's day”, I will say we do a good job in doing this by going through self-work every week. ;)

We really do love and care about you, ALU Staffulty.

With love from every caring ALU student.