Agora Budapest will have several candidates for the Summer University Coordination Team (SUCT). Hans-Peter Bretz – or Hape, as many AEGEEans know him – has already been involved in the project as Quality Assurance Assistant this summer, and has now decided to take a step further, and run for the position of Project Manager.
The AEGEEan: Why did you decide to run for SUCT?
Hape: Summer Universities were the first projects in AEGEE that I got involved in as participant, helper, and later on also as the main coordinator. So early on, SUCT was one of the teams on European level I could see myself getting involved in. During the past year, I had a lot of fun working with the Environmental Working Group and the Key to Europe team, and the final push was the work as SUCT assistant, when I got an insight into their work this summer.
What were your impressions about the Summer University project as Quality Assurance Assistant of the SUCT?
It was a great experience to work with the team, as the work was very well organised and you could see that they really cared about the project, and were all on the same page, creating a very motivating work atmosphere. Thanks to past years’ good work and continuity, the SU project is on the right track in my opinion, trying to find ways to make Summer Universities an inspiring experience. However, this process is not completed yet and I think it is important to help the organisers to establish more thematic SUs and to integrate them better with the rest of the work in the Network.
What are your plans for “putting back the ‘University’ in Summer University”?
As I said in my application, I think it is important for a Summer University to offer a coherent experience to the participant. The CIA states that every Summer University needs at least a theme, which is actually a help for the organisers. Creating a theme for a SU also means inventing a way of introducing your participants to all the awesome things you would like to show them, or do with them, thus improving the thematic part of your SU, and the SU as a whole. Every SU should try to reach some sort of a goal, something the participant can take home with him or herself. Furthermore, I would like to encourage organisers to create an output of their SU, if it fits the theme. For example videos, articles for The AEGEEan – like this year, workshops, reports for the Network, new project ideas and so on. It could also be a great motivation, especially for new members to see that they can not only have tons of fun, but also create something during their SU.
- Hans-Peter with the Key to Europe team
What is your opinion about opening up Summer Universities to non-AEGEE members, as mentioned in the CD’s Activity Plan?
Well, we will have to see, in case the proposal gets accepted, how it will be integrated technically, how many non-AEGEEans, or not-yet-AEGEEans it will attract, and how it will work out generally. Right now, Summer Universities are projects people organise for their friends, or future friends, and also for themselves. If people who did not have any contact with AEGEE before participate, this could result in different expectations towards the program, and might move a project from your friends, to something more of a service. So far I am skeptical if this will have any influence of the overall experience of all participants. On the other hand, it could be a motivation for organisers to create more professional Summer Universities.
You are applying for the position of Project Manager. What do you consider the most important task of the Project Manager in the SUCT?
To structure the work once the team has established its ideas, and create an environment in which everyone can follow their tasks efficiently, while also having a lot of fun.
What are your hobbies, how do you spend your free time?
I just recently moved to Berlin so I’m trying to get acquainted with what will be my new home for the next three to four years, explore the city and its surroundings, meet new people – for example the very nice members of my new antenna, AEGEE-Berlin. I like sports – table football, flunky ball, reading good books and wearing bear costumes.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Seeing three people applying for the post of Project Manager is actually very motivating, as it means that there are a lot of people with their own ideas on how to do great work, and regardless of the outcome of the elections, there will be a motivated and creative team. Also, “Hi mom, hi dad, hi AEGEE-Aachen”.
Written by Zsófia Komáromi, AEGEE-Budapest