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The '''National Postgraduate Committee of the United Kingdom''' (often abbreviated to '''NPC''') represents [[postgraduate]]s at UK universities.<ref name="thes200804">{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Law |title=Bigger Is Better, Insists Gung-ho Victor |work=[[The Times Higher Education Supplement]] |publisher= |location= |id= |pages= |page=11 |date=2004-08-20 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |language= |quote= }}</ref> Since 2002 it has held charitable status.<ref name="mailsun110503">{{cite news |first=Jenny |last=Little |title=Take a loan and pay your way to a skill |work=[[Daily Mail#The Mail on Sunday|The Mail on Sunday]] |publisher= |location= |id= |pages= |page=41 |date=2003-05-11 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |language= |quote= }}</ref> It is formed by affiliation from [[students' union|student representative bodies]] across the [[United Kingdom]] and seeks, in the words of its constitution, "to advance, in the public interest, the education of postgraduate students within the United Kingdom" through representation, lobbying, contribution to public policy debate, initiating communication between relevant parties and bringing key issues and potential solutions to wider audiences.
The '''National Postgraduate Committee of the United Kingdom''' (often abbreviated to '''NPC''') represents [[postgraduate]]s at UK universities.<ref name="thes200804">{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Law |title=Bigger Is Better, Insists Gung-ho Victor |work=[[The Times Higher Education Supplement]] |publisher= |location= |id= |pages= |page=11 |date=2004-08-20 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |language= |quote= }}</ref> Since 2002 it has held charitable status.<ref name="mailsun110503">{{cite news |first=Jenny |last=Little |title=Take a loan and pay your way to a skill |work=[[Daily Mail#The Mail on Sunday|The Mail on Sunday]] |publisher= |location= |id= |pages= |page=41 |date=2003-05-11 |accessdate=2007-12-09 |language= |quote= }}</ref> It is formed by affiliation from [[students' union|student representative bodies]] across the [[United Kingdom]] and seeks, in the words of its constitution, "to advance, in the public interest, the education of postgraduate students within the United Kingdom" through representation, lobbying, contribution to public policy debate, initiating communication between relevant parties and bringing key issues and potential solutions to wider audiences. The organisation is said to be in talks with the [[NUS]] with a view towards being taken over by the latter to provide a more effective service for postgraduates.


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 23:04, 13 November 2008

File:NPC-logo.jpg

The National Postgraduate Committee of the United Kingdom (often abbreviated to NPC) represents postgraduates at UK universities.[1] Since 2002 it has held charitable status.[2] It is formed by affiliation from student representative bodies across the United Kingdom and seeks, in the words of its constitution, "to advance, in the public interest, the education of postgraduate students within the United Kingdom" through representation, lobbying, contribution to public policy debate, initiating communication between relevant parties and bringing key issues and potential solutions to wider audiences. The organisation is said to be in talks with the NUS with a view towards being taken over by the latter to provide a more effective service for postgraduates.

History

The NPC was formed in the 1980s as a network of officers.[3] In 1990 it held its first conference at the University of Cambridge. Following this a growth in activity ensued, leading to the adoption of formal structures. It adopted its first constitution in 1992, the same year that it created the full time post of General Secretary[3] and began its affiliation scheme. The NPC sought charitable status for a number of years and obtained this in 2002, following the passing of a new constitution.

Past General Secretaries:

  • James Irvine from October 1st 1992 until September 30th 1993[3]
  • Crispin Allard from October 1st 1993 until September 30th 1994
  • Jamie Darwen from October 1st 1994 until September 30th 1995[4]
  • Ewan Gillon from October 1st 1995 until September 30th 1996[5]
  • John Gray from October 1st 1996 until September 30th 1997[6]
  • Martin Gough from October 1st 1997 until September 30th 1998[7]
  • Jeremy Hoad from October 1st 1998 until September 30th 2000[8] [9]
  • James Groves from October 1st 2000 until September 30th 2002[10] [11]
  • Tim Brown from October 1st 2002 until September 30th 2004[12] [13]
  • Jim Ewing from October 1st 2004 until September 30th 2005[1]
  • Simon Felton from October 1st 2005 until September 30th 2007[14] [15]
  • Duncan Connors from October 1st 2007[16]

Output

The majority of NPC's work is conducted by the General Secretary who works full time and there are then 14 other voluntary officers on the executive to assist in the general running. Several student representative bodies in the United Kingdom affiliate to the NPC, which is the main source of income along with a small number of donations. The Journal of Graduate Education (ISSN 1354-0653) is an academic journal established by the NPC in 1994.[17]

The output of NPC's work involves lobbying and working on behalf of postgraduates to government and higher education bodies, where it aims to engage the interests of postgraduates in what it does. As a national organisation, it has the means to communicate the collective interests of postgraduates on a national level. NPC has achieved great success on a number of national committees, working groups and forums. Another important aspect of NPC's work is helping student representative bodies develop better postgraduate support and representation. This is done through production of publications, having an enquiry service and also visiting institutions where appropriate.

Positions on the Executive

The NPC's executive is formally known as the "Management Sub-Committee." All positions are part-time voluntary unless otherwise indicated:

  • General Secretary (full-time, salaried)
  • Chairperson
  • Treasurer
  • Minutes Secretary
  • Conference Secretary
  • Communications Officer
  • Equal Opportunities Officer
  • Project Officers (X4)
  • Ordinary Executive Officers
  • Chairperson of NPC Scotland
    • Depute Chairperson/Secretary of NPC Scotland
    • Treasurer of NPC Scotland
  • Chairperson of NPC Wales/PCO-R Cymru
    • Vice Chairperson/Secretary of NPC Wales/PCO-R Cymru
    • Treasurer of NPC Wales/PCO-R Cymru

There are also the Financial and Constitutional Sub-Committees and there are plans to develop a subcommittee within Northern Ireland.

Current Committee

  • General Secretary: Duncan Philip Connors (Glasgow)
  • Chairperson: David Thurkettle(Keele)
  • Treasurer: Tim Roll-Pickering (London)
  • Minutes Secretary: Will Cooling (Nottingham)
  • Conference Secretary: George MacFarlane (Open)
  • Communications Officer: Oleg Lisagor (York)
  • Equal Opportunities Officer: Armineh Soorenian (Leeds)
  • Project Officers (x4): Victoria Townsend (Salford), Andre Oboler (Lancaster), Matt Gayle (Nottingham)
  • Ordinary Officers (x2): Sarah Weeks (Bristol), Simon Felton (Birmingham)
  • Chairperson of NPC Scotland/CIN Alba: Filippo Trevisan (Glasgow)
  • Chairperson of NPC Wales/PCÔ-R Cymru: To be elected at the next Wales/Cymru meeting
  • Financial Sub-Committee
    • Treasurer (Convener): Tim Roll-Pickering (London)
    • Past Treasurer: Christabel Silva (Middlesex)
    • General Secretary: Duncan Philip Connors (Glasgow)
    • Chairperson: David Thurkettle (Keele)
    • Conference Secretary: George MacFarlane (Open)
    • Treasurer NPC Scotland/CIN Alba: To be confirmed
    • Treasurer NPC Wales/PCÔ-R Cymru: To be elected at the next Wales/Cymru meeting
    • Ordinary members (x2): Margaret Davine (Mature Students Union), Martin Gough (University College London)
  • Constitutional Sub-Committee
    • Chairperson (Convener): David Thurkettle (Keele)
    • Past Chairperson: Jen Winter (York)
    • General Secretary: Simon Felton (Birmingham)
    • Ordinary members (x3): Peter Campbell (Sheffield Hallam), Daniel Snowdon (Queen Mary, University of London), James Groves (Lancaster)

Affiliates

There are around 50 affiliated institutions within the UK, who are increasing all the time.

Recognised Bodies

Like affiliates, recognised bodies are also have voting rights and they are student run organisations with compatible objects to the NPC.

Associate Bodies

Associates do not have voting rights, although they do have the right to table motions to a general meeting and have a close working relationship with NPC in its activity.

References

  1. ^ a b Law, Katie (2004-08-20). "Bigger Is Better, Insists Gung-ho Victor". The Times Higher Education Supplement. p. 11. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ Little, Jenny (2003-05-11). "Take a loan and pay your way to a skill". The Mail on Sunday. p. 41. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Crequer, Ngaio (1992-11-19). "Postgrads come in from the cold". The Independent. London. p. 19. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ Targett, Simon (1995-03-03). "Children of Major reveal litigious side; Research Opportunities". The Times Higher Education Supplement. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. ^ Thomson, Alan (1996-02-23). "Letter of law crushes hope for letters after name; Research Opportunities". The Times Higher Education Supplement. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ^ Major, Lee Elliot (1996-11-05). "Higher Education: More Masters for jobs". The Guardian. London. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ Hinde, Julia (1998-02-27). "Lobby points to postgrad plight". The Times Higher Education Supplement. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  8. ^ Goddard, Alison (1998-12-11). "Postgrads get into class training". The Times Higher Education Supplement. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  9. ^ Brown, Chris (1999-10-28). "Post Graduate Listings: Charting the right course - A postgraduate degree can improve your career prospects or just expand your horizons". The Independent. London. p. 19. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ Davis, Caroline (2000-10-27). "Upfront Cash Replaces Quotas". The Times Higher Education Supplement. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  11. ^ Lacey, Hester (2001-11-22). "Postgraduates: A new star in the capital city". The Independent. London. p. 9. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ Crockett, Kate (2002-10-12). "Rise: On course: When student bullies try to ruin your university life: You can stop your tormentors' behaviour and regain control". The Guardian. London. p. 6. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ Brown, Tim (2004-03-19). "What Will The Code Of Practice Really Mean?". The Times Higher Education Supplement. p. 12. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  14. ^ Wojtas, Olga (2005-08-19). "Hate Law Threat To Academic Freedom". The Times Higher Education Supplement. p. 4. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  15. ^ "Postdocs cover for teaching shortfall". The Times Higher Education Supplement. 2006-11-02. p. 8. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  16. ^ Radnofsky, Louise (2007-08-24). "Call to guard standards against fee grab". The Times Higher Education Supplement. p. 4. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  17. ^ "Postgraduates strike back". The Times Higher Education Supplement. 1995-06-16. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)

See also

External links

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