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Candidate for the position of Education Officer

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Shan Amarasuriya (Common Voice)

 

Shan Amarasuriya

 

Candidate for Union Education Officer

ARU students deserve academic systems that are organised, fair, and transparent across every campus. If elected, I will focus on delivering structural reforms that students will genuinely feel in their day-to-day university life.

 

1. Deadline Clarity & Workload Balance

Too many students experience assessment overload because deadlines cluster in the same week.

I will:

  • Push for better coordination of major submission deadlines within courses
  • Advocate for improved visibility of assessment schedules early in the term
  • Raise concerns where assessment peaks create unnecessary pressure

Academic challenge should be rigorous - not chaotic.

 

2. A Standardised Group Work Protection Policy

Group work must be fair.

I will work towards:

  • Mandatory group agreements for assessed projects
  • Structured peer evaluation checkpoints
  • Clear and transparent mark-adjustment guidance

No student should be academically penalised for unequal contribution.

 

3. Feedback That Supports Progress

Timely, meaningful feedback is essential.

I will:

  • Push for consistent enforcement of feedback return expectations
  • Escalate repeated delays through academic committees
  • Advocate for clearer marking rubrics across modules

Students deserve clarity on how they are assessed and how they can improve.

 

4. Transparent Academic Communication

Confusion around assessments, reassessments, and expectations creates unnecessary stress.

I will:

  • Advocate for clearer, standardised assessment guidance
  • Push for improved communication of key academic dates
  • Ensure student concerns are tracked and visibly followed up

 

5. AI, Referencing & Academic Integrity Reform

Academic integrity must be clear, fair, and supportive - especially in an AI-driven world.

I will:

  • Advocate for consistent access to Turnitin similarity reports across all modules, so students can review their work before final submission where appropriate
  • Push for a mandatory first-year academic integrity session covering AI usage guidance, APA 7th edition, and ARU Harvard referencing standards
  • Work with faculties to ensure clearer guidance on what should and should not be referenced
  • Advocate for fair, transparent, and consistent handling processes for students flagged for AI, ensuring cases are properly reviewed and not assumed

Students should be educated before they are penalised.

Clarity prevents mistakes. Transparency protects fairness.

 

My Approach

  • Evidence-driven
  • Solutions-focused
  • Equal voice across all five campuses
  • Realistic reforms achievable within one year

Stronger standards. Clearer systems. Fairer outcomes.