30 September 2024

A bridge between staff and students

Dear students in the bachelor’s programmes of the Institute of Political Science,

Your Programme Committee (PC) plays an important role in maintaining and improving the quality of the education offered to you. The PC

• advises the Institute’s Programme Board with regard to education policy and practice,
• actively monitors how courses are being organised and taught, and
• offers advice, both solicited and unsolicited, on all issues regarding education within the programme (education execution, planning of education, study advising, course evaluations, etc.).

Obviously, student representation in the PC is very important. Half of its members are students, to make sure that the PC can operate as a liaison between faculty and students.

The PC’s student members serve a one-year term. There is one PC for all bachelor’s programmes in Political Science (IRO in The Hague, Politicologie and Internationale politiek in Leiden); both ‘cities’ will have at least one representative. At the beginning of the academic year, all students currently enrolled in these programmes can nominate themselves for one of the four seats in the PC. If there are more nominations than seats, elections will be held.

Vote: from 30 September to 4 October 2024

For 2024-2025, the situation is as follows:

• Political Science: International Relations and Organisations: 6 candidates.
• Politicologie/Internationale politiek: 1 candidate (automatically elected)

You are voting to divide the remaining three seats among the 6 IRO candidates.

Please take your time to familiarise yourself with all candidacies. The candidates introduce themselves with a short message below, and through the Instagram account of the OLC. The voting takes place from 30 September to 4 October 2024. You will receive an email from the SSC with a link to vote. Of course, you may only cast one vote.

Candidates

Alexia Andrica, 2nd year IRO

We all have the expectation of getting a good education at a top university such as Leiden University. However, in order to fulfil that expectation we students have to make sure Leiden knows what we consider good or deficient in our study programmes. This is why I am applying to become a student member of the Programme Committee.

I can channel students' complaints or feedback to the university to create a better experience during our studies, tailored for students using student feedback. My aim is to ensure that everyone has the chance to voice their opinions and perspectives over the study programmes without feeling like it is a struggle to get your voice heard. Whether it is about the curriculum, the professors, the learning material, or any other matter tied to the study programmes, my intention is to let these opinions speak for themselves whereas I will do my utmost to deliver them in an unbiased and direct manner.

My attention will be on anyone that wishes to be heard. We as students have the responsibility to make our voices and opinions heard at Leiden University, so let me help you take it.

Noa-Lynn Gilliaert, 2nd year IRO

As a student very involved in our university community, I have built strong relationships with many first- and second-year students. Through these connections, I’ve come to understand a lot about their experiences, challenges, and hopes for their education. I’m applying to be a student member of the Programme Committee because I want to make sure these voices are heard, and that we can work together to shape a programme that benefits all students.

Being part of different initiatives and staying engaged with my peers has shown me how important it is to have an open line of communication between students and the Programme Board. I believe that I can help bridge that gap by bringing real, practical feedback from students—especially those who might not always feel comfortable speaking up.

I’m motivated to make a difference by offering constructive ideas for improvement and supporting the committee’s work in evaluating courses. It’s important to me that the programs continue to grow in a way that reflects what students genuinely need, and I’m excited to contribute to that process as a member of the committee.

Vincent Assor, 1st year IRO

To the students at Leiden University Institute of Political Science, I am Vincent Assor, a 19-year-old student from Estonia studying International Relations and Organisations (BSc) in my first year. This summer, I graduated from the oldest and most esteemed school in my country, Gustav Adolf Grammar School with a gold medal and flying colours, having served on its student council and board of trustees.

I am a person of broad interests in many fields, most notably (electoral) politics, international relations and history. My interests are not limited to the academical, as I am also an avid hiker, creative person and – if I may – a spectacular dancer. As a candidate for Your vote, I can tell that I am willing to put in the long hours going over the practical mundane details and duties of administration and am more than willing to listen, heed and fight for Your needs and interests at the board.

I promise to work for what is right, whilst recognizing what is practically possible. Finally, I have a relative lack of tolerance for falsity and the lack of nuance. Thus, I believe that I am a good candidate as Your principled and efficient representative on the board.

Valéry de Valicourt, 3rd year IRO

My fellow students, my name is Valery de Valicourt from IRO and I'm ecstatic at the prospect of running for Student Representative. I am ready to be at your service and work tirelessly so that YOU are heard. Your ideas, aspirations, concerns are safe with me, my mission is that they are seen at face value by the establishment and acted upon. I promise, with your trust, we can enact deep change in the university.

I will focus on enhancing extracurricular activities, promoting more inclusivity within this international campus, and advocating for more student resources. I'm invested in the fight for more transparency in decision making by the university so that you know what's going on as well as the ability for students who pass exams may have the right to retake them if they wish. We may be Leiden’s little brother but we are important and we deserve strong representation.

With your support we can continue to build upon the foundations left by former representatives to create a supportive community which pushes students to spare no effort academically and thrive socially and personally. Your interests and wellbeing is my top priority. Your message, My mission: Vote for Val!

Leon Jad El Haddad, 1st year IRO

My name is Leon Jad El Haddad, I’m from Germany and Lebanon, but grew up in Dubai. My specialization is IRO, and it would be a privilege for me to be a student-member of the BSc Programme Committee (OLC)! Having a diverse background and growing up in a multicultural environment, has given me an open-minded perspective that isn’t centred around a single nationality or cultural viewpoint.

My willingness to communicate will make engaging with a wider range of students possible, which I believe will make it easier to understand and address concerns as a member of the OLC. I’m driven by a genuine willingness to make a positive impact. As President of my school’s MUN club and member of the Global Issues Network club, I have collaborated with NGOs like OXFAM and Youngsters’ Appeal. My ability to organize, collaborate, and see projects through to success sets me apart from others who share similar ambitions.

If elected, I will aim to address key issues such as improving communication between students and faculty, ensuring transparency in course evaluations, and advocating for your voices to be heard to accommodate diverse student needs. Vote for Leon, and help shape the future of our education!

Jennifer Soetebier, 2nd year IRO

Hi, I am Jennifer Soetebier, a second-year IRO student, and I would like to represent your voice in the Programme Committee (OLC)! As a German, I have mastered the art of complaining, but as much as I enjoy it, I am more interested in actually improving things. One major issue I would like to push for is the inclusion of more critical and Non-Western theories into our curriculum. Too often, we have seen all critical theories crammed into one lecture, while the “traditional” theories are given much more attention.

Another important issue that needs to be discussed is the constant repetition of content in the classes we had so far. How many times do we need to hear that “the myth of Westphalia” or that “Correlation does not equal causation”, while we could have instead covered new content. It certainly does not contribute to my motivation to attend lecture and I am sure you can relate as well.

Having participated in the Leiden MUN, I have learned how to make myself heard and negotiate effectively, and with these skills, I will ensure that our concerns are taken seriously. Vote for me, and together we can create a better university experience!