DSU’s outgoing President hopes to continue working for students at DMU even after leaving his position.
De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU)’s outgoing President hopes to continue working for students at De Montfort University (DMU) even after leaving his position.
Ahtesham Mahmood completed his second term as part of our Officer Team last Friday 29 June, but after being elected to a second national position in as many months, will still work to represent students both at DMU and across the UK.
Ahtesham, originally from Derby, was elected to the position of Postgraduate Students’ Representative on the National Union of Students (NUS)’ Black Students’ Committee for 2018/19 earlier in May, before being voted onto NUS extra’s Direction and Oversight Board last month.
“Something I’ve been looking at this year is about how the NUS extra card can better used, and this new position helps guide the commercial background behind it all,” he explained.
“We’ll work with NUS’ Cooperative Enterprise Unit to formulate new ideas and move that strategy forwards. I want NUS extra to be more than just a card.”
Ahtesham was previously a Student Trustee at DSU before joining our Officer Team.
The NUS extra card currently gives students at affiliated students’ unions – including DSU – the opportunity to make the most of 200 UK discounts and 42,000 international discounts from just over £10 a year.
Ahtesham continued: “My job will be all about making the NUS extra card even more relevant to students.
“While I have learnt a lot from this [President] role, I felt it would be beneficial to learn a little bit more and work with other companies.
“For me, it is partly a personal development opportunity as well as working to create a better service for our students.”
And after two years as a student representative – having served as VP Student Activities in 2016/17 – Ahtesham is looking to take the skills he’s learnt at DSU into the wider world.
“I am looking at potentially starting my own charity,” he said. “Being part of the Officer Team means you do a lot for students, but you also do a lot for yourself as well in terms of developing your skills during your time in office.
“For me, I’m not ready to finish learning.
“Despite not being here next year, I hope I can continue to bring some value to – and make a difference for – the students at DMU through these two roles.”
A SUPER CONDUCTOR: Ahtesham was VP Student Activities at DSU during 2016/17, before being elected to the position of President for 2017/18.
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