A story of an International Student

I am remembering my dad tonight; he used to say" Rumman, you have to do something in your life for yourself and the society, make it remarkable." My mom said " life is too short, you may become something in your life, may be very highly influential someone but do not forget that you were born for a reason. You can achieve so many things in your life but if you are not a good and honest person everything will go in vein...never escape from your responsibility..." My dad is no more, he passed away last year. 5 April 2011, a red-letter day in my life when I came to know my election result that I got elected as Vice-President of LondonMet SU, literally five minutes before I came to know my dad had passed away which was not a natural death (he was kidnapped and afterwards killed on 29 March 2011 but we came to know a week later). I flew back home like an arrow to see my heart broken mom and only elder sister. We were shattered and drown in a magic reality. What a life. Spending around 4years to get my LLB (Hons) degree from LondonMet I could not visit my family, I could not see my old school friends. My dad was preparing to receive me with flowers as if he would be welcoming a champion or a hero. Alas, all his dream went away with him!

But no, I'm still here remembering his every single word. I'm obeying his words and dreams to make them real. I took the challenge and this challenge escorted me here today. My challenge taught me life is

very simple, they way you want to lead, it will be led. Yet, there are obstacles and we need to overcome all these. When we do so we can become a hero in our own life and history itself writes our own history.

A history was written by you all on 21 September 2012 and I am also a part of it, but why and how?

I came to the UK to become a Barrister-at-Law and LondonMet helped me to get a place in City Law School, City University London. Also, I have become a member of Honourable Lincolns Inn. Which is a dream and it is now history. On 17 September I sent an email to City University stating " Dear Sean, I hope you know the current situation with London Metropolitan University in relation to the revocation of Highly Trusted Sponsor Status. As an elected representative of the students' Union, I strongly feel like to stand in solidarity with International students as at this moment both home and international students need my support to represent them. It will not be ideal to lose out them on representation. After considering everything, though I may have to face some consequence in my personal life, I would like to defer my BPTC course for next year. I do apologise for the late notice and any inconvenience caused by me... " My naive sister told me why are you bothering yourself, just start your BPTC, finish and come back here, accomplish our dad’s dream. But I made her understand that these students who voted for me, who showed their respect towards me, I cannot leave them putting their lives at stake, how can I escape from my responsibility. Students are panicking, they need me now. Then she said, “ Sorry, I understand you now, okay my little brother, do your best to establish students' rights, do not stop the fight till it ends..."

Yes, I did not escape from my responsibility rather I declared I am ready to fight till my last breath." When I asked my fellow students “Are you with me?" they replied " yes, we are, we are also ready to fight till our last breath."

The history we made it is ongoing. From now on every step we make will be part of history. We will make sure in order to protect our prestigious British Education we will always be standby. My voice is not only mine, it is yours. I am listening to you in order to deliver. My action is your action, I am just driving it and you are my inspiration and driving force. I did not stop and I will never. It is just a beginning. We will walk side by side; we are enlightened by our victory. This victory is against the austerity.

I know a number of other International students come here to make their dream success so that when they go back home they can get a better future with a world class ticket (certificate). I know students who could not attend his mom’s funeral the way I could not even see my dad for the last time. I know the student who could not see his wife for the last time while she died giving birth a baby girl. I know the student who came to know his only little sister died while was preparing for the exam. I know stories more than these. I have written some tonight, you right tomorrow and we’ll put all the stories together and we will say in chorus “We’re not with mercy, show your curtsy”.

Syed Rumman

Vice-President ( Education)

London Metropolitan University Students' Union.

Education, education on TUC Demonstration (20th October)

Dear comrade,

Higher education benefits everyone, (a country, community, society, individuals, and everyone is benefited from it).

And it is no surprise; that investment in Higher education has grown significantly over the past few years across the globe.

Despite growing investments in this sector, demand for graduates in every area of life, whether it is a developed or developing countries of the world, the demand of graduates are increasing greatly.

It because, to face the challenge of the future and also to meet the shortage of skills in our every area of life’s we need knowledge and that can be found from graduates from Higher education.

Knowledge is produced in universities and research institutions. Knowledge is also mastered in universities and other higher education programs.

Knowledge is converted to technology by the act of invention that for centuries benefited our civil societies, it has helped us to developed social cohesion, it keeps the community together, it shows people the writhe path, and it keeps us moving and hep us all to pursue the life we want not only for us but also for our next generation.

And today whatever good and whatever advancement in our life we have achieved, it is the dividend of the past investment in Higher Education by our predecessor governments for centuries.

When, the Indian first Prime Minister, Pandit Jaharal Neharu put his vision for India

He knew India to revive its economy and to become a super power nation of the world must make colossal investment in Education.

Thus, Pandit Neharu (fifty years ago) put his maximum budget in Education (especially in the area of Higher Education)

But some people of India were not very happy with that investment as, fifty years ago they did not vision the outcome of it, but Pandit Neharu did.

It is with pride that India is a super Nation today.

And it is not because India has performed best in every aspect of its people Life like most of the countries in the west,

But it is because Pandiat Neharus investment in HE is paying its dividends (while producing first-class graduates in IT, Business and many other areas) that contributed to India national Economy. And for a number of years made the Country as one of the most economically successful nation on earth.

For centuries, countries envision itself to the future and the backbone of the vision was the education. They asked themselves how we can get there; the ultimate answer was and still is the education, education and education...

Like you all I am here with a vision, a vision of the peaceful world, a world with abundant resource where people pursue happiness and I am sure we can build such world with proper education for all.

So let us gather and share our expertise and mobilise everyone for the TUC Demo tomorrow (20th October) that will help to secure our education system, significantly the sector of HE for us and the next generation to come.

Syed Rumman

Vice-President ( Education)

London Metropolitan University Students' Union.