sometimes make us feel warm
and bubbly inside but, sadly,
these categories can sometimes
have their own stereotypes and
unwelcome stigmas attached.
College for three years. Hafsa
hopes to utilise the skills she
has learned to make a change
within Ayrshire and eventually
beyond.
Some of us by nature are
naturally more reserved
and quieter than others,
but progressively over time,
as citizens of a democratic
country, we have become
very aware of our rights
and have, boldly, grasped
this opportunity with both
hands. Not only has this right
encouraged us to address more
specific and subjective issues
such as abortion, euthanasia
or the death sentence, but has
also, over the past thirty years
in particular, encouraged some
of us to become more open
about private matters such as
sexuality and religious beliefs.
Outside of her studies, she
is devoted to improving the
lives of the people around
her and strives to encourage
the students of Ayrshire
College to stand up for their
beliefs but also to watch out
for stereotypes and help each
other.
At Ayrshire College, one
student in particular strongly
believes in the benefits of
speaking out and thinks that
young adults in Ayrshire
should be able to “express
themselves without being
stereotyped… and encouraged
to voice their opinions”. Hafsa
Mansoor is currently studying
Social Science at Higher
National Diploma level and
has been attending Ayrshire
THE STUDENT VOICE: EDITION 4
With the hope of opening
students’ minds and increasing
their awareness of various
views and opinions, she has
founded a debate club at the
Kilmarnock Campus.
students distinguish between
objective and subjective
information or fact and
opinion.
As a Muslim, Hafsa explained
that when she first started
attending college in Ayrshire,
she noticed that people were
hesitant to discuss her religion
and appearance. It was later,
after she had settled, she found
out that these people (now
her friends) had been afraid of
being categorised as “racist”
for challenging or questioning
her beliefs. She asks, “How are
people to understand without
asking questions?” and insists
that although she might come
across as a little crazy or weird;
she is very approachable and
welcomes any questions.
If you are interesting in being
a participant of the Ayrshire
College Debate Club at
the Kilmarnock Campus
Hafsa says “a pro of the club
of Ayrshire College, please
is that it will build students’
come along to the lecture
confidence, encourage them to hall between 1-2pm on
voice their opinions and help
Wednesdays from now until
the end of term. Take the
them to develop their public
opportunity to learn some new
speaking”. These are all skills
skills, meet some new people
which will be beneficial both
and practice speaking out! To
within and out with the college. find out about Hafsa’s other
projects or to chat about what
She believes that people in
else is going on, come along
today’s society are constantly
and chat to either the Student
exposed to information which
President or a member of the
has been tainted by the media
Student Council (office located
and personal opinions of others in the front foyer).
with different circumstances or
beliefs. She claims that the aim
of the debate club is to help
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