Md Salah Uddin from Bangladesh is a final year PhD student in social policy with the School of Social Science, Education and Social Work (SSESW). In this blog for The Graduate School he explains the benefits he’s enjoyed during previous Welcome Weeks, both from his perspective as a student and a Graduate School Community Assistant. 

Before I started my role as a Graduate School Community Assistant in May 2023, I’d already been visiting the Graduate School from the very beginning of my course, because I love the atmosphere of the silent study area as a working environment and that’s where I’ve done most of the writings of my dissertation. The Silent Study Area is fully student oriented and anyone can give their full level of concentration in their writing and thinking – it’s an excellent place for brain storming and productivity. 

Since starting my role as a Community Assistant, I’ve been actively involved in organising various events inside the graduate school. I’ve found the staff of the GS are very helpful and cooperative. They are very much student focused and intent on providing the various forms of support students require with regards to academic engagement and skill development. There are dedicated staff in the Graduate School who are always ready to support postgraduate students with their study and career aspirations. 

Of course The Graduate School has plenty more to offer too. I have also attended some of the events like Welcome event, Halloween event, Eid program and some others which were held in the social spaces of the GS, and which gave me the chance to meet my fellow postgraduate students and enjoy the Graduate School surrounding in a more relaxed manner. Now, in my role as Community Assistant, I really enjoy being part of organising these events. I feel very happy when I’m able to help provide food and drinks and see students enjoy them! 

Welcome Week 

I attended a Welcome Week event back in September 2022. It was an excellent time after the long hectic tenure of Covid, as students from different countries, including myself and a few friends from different departments, were gathered together to begin our respective journeys. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many of my colleagues, including those I’d met before and those I hadn’t, and we were able to discuss various issues and share our experiences of Queen’s, including academic challenges and extra curriculum activities across the campus. As always, the food and drinks provided by The Graduate School were also a great bonus! 

Welcome Week is a great opportunity for new students. It presents everything that The Graduate School can do for them and also provides an opportunity to meet knew colleagues, peers and even friends. It’s a good platform to gain information from experienced students and from the Graduate School Staff, who are on hand to give advice and guidance about the facilities and activities available in The Graduate School. Speaking personally, Welcome Week is also how I came to know about courses such as PhD pathway and the ideas of Post doc preparation from the event. 

I would encourage students to attend Welcome Week events in September 2023. Come along, meet students from across the schools and make new connections. It’s a great opportunity to find people from your own region and completely new people too. You’ll also have the best possible opportunity to discover information and advice regarding the academic and skill development opportunities provided by the Graduate School, and finally, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the facilities here and the rooms and booking system available to you.