I will try as much as possible to enlighten everyone about what I have been doing in the past months.

It has not been easy joggling my sabbatical position as Academic Affairs Officer at the University of Manchester Union and being the NUS International Students’ Officer. Not to talk of doing a part-time job and chairing the Council for International Students

Apart from attending National Executive Committee meetings, I have submitted a motion on the crisis on Sudan – a campaign that I hold so dear, as many children and women are dying daily in the Darfur crisis. Motion is still pending.

Just before I travelled to the States for my investigation on visa extension charges, I had a meeting with the NUS Research team to look at the general campaign and where we are heading to in the coming year.

We have so far had two committee meetings – one at Middlesex University and the other at Manchester University.

I have made efforts to build a strong link with other stakeholders, such as UKCOSA, UUK, AOC, SCOP, and EnglishUK, which is now gradually paying off. I have been in touch with the Council for African Ambassadors and continue to get appointments from Consulates that are interested in our campaign.

I responded to the consultation document released by the government calling for charges to be introduced on health care services to international students. We are awaiting the final policy on this.

In relation to our priority campaign – Banking, visa charges, tuition fees, and representation – the visa extension charges seems to be on top up. I am still working on this and would keep you informed.

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