Date: 29th April 2026
Location: ONLINE 10.00 -11.30
Please note this event is for Members onlyThe Student Ambassador and Mentor (SAM) Working Group invited colleagues from the wider NERUPI network to join us at this session where two of our members shared their practice and experience of working to build inclusive and supportive student ambassador communities.
Dr Emma Ferguson from the University of Salford shared the practical steps taken at the University to create a culture where all students, including those with additional access needs, feel valued, supported and a strong sense of belonging.
Moving to a focussed case-study, Amna Bhatti from University College London provided an overview of Ramadan, including key practices such as fasting and prayer. She then discussed how institutions can effectively support student ambassadors observing Ramadan while working, emphasising the importance of flexibility, understanding and community.
Emma is the Student Ambassador Coordinator at the University of Salford, where she has worked for almost three years managing and developing a large ambassador programme. Prior to this, Emma worked in student recruitment and outreach, supporting ambassadors at UCAS exhibitions and careers fairs across the United Kingdom. Emma also lectured at the University of Huddersfield during her PhD research, which sparked her passion for working with students.
Amna is an Access Officer, working in University College London’s Access and Widening Participation Office. Amna works on outreach programmes that support students from underrepresented backgrounds to explore higher education, specifically working on the University's Summer Schools and Student Worker schemes. Through managing the Access and Widening Participation Office's various schemes, Amna is particularly passionate about inclusion and ensuring that all students feel supported and able to fully engage in these opportunities.