Friday, 15 Jun 2012
MidKent College Students’ Union has been praised by the Speaker of the House of Commons for its efforts in improving local transport.
Last March the SU hosted a travel debate to enable students to air their grievances in public, resulting in bus company Arriva launching several new services to the Medway Campus.
The success of the campaign has now gained national attention after the union finished second in the 16-19 age category of the Speaker’s School Council Awards – judged by Speaker John Bercow among others.
SU president James Phillips, who chaired the travel debate, said: “We are really pleased the student voice at MidKent College is being listened to by Arriva, and that the hard work of our volunteers has been recognised by the Speaker’s School Council Awards.
“We are thankful to all of those who have supported us in this process.”
Topics covered at the travel debate – which has also been shortlisted for a National Union of Students award – included the scrapping of the Education Maintenance Allowance, the rising cost of public transport and problems with existing student travel schemes.
Medway councillors Vince Maple, Andrew Mackness and Geoff Juby also participated in the event, as did Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti and representatives from the train provider Southeastern.
Speaker’s School Council Awards spokesman Emma Rosamon said: “The judges were incredibly impressed by MidKent College’s travel debate project and all it has achieved.
“More than 280 school and student councils entered the awards scheme and we are thrilled to see them involved in such inspiring and worthwhile activities.”
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For all media enquiries, please contact Steve Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer, on 01634 383277 or email steve.knight@midkent.ac.uk.