Uchenna Victor Moses: A visionary leader Is A Catalyst For Change Irrespective of Geographic Location.

Uchenna Victor Moses, a distinguished alumnus of the Greater Manchester Business School, has emerged as a transformative force in the University of Bolton community. His visionary leadership and strategic acumen have left an indelible mark on the institution, fostering inclusivity, driving sustainability, and spearheading innovative initiatives that have redefined the student experience. Committed to nurturing strategic partnerships with the University of Bolton and the wider community to enhance the overall student experience, he is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and driving sustainability and has made a significant impact on the University of Bolton community and beyond. In this interview with Oluchi Chibuzor, he shares his dreams and the journey to his emergence as the Student Union President as an immigrant in the United Kingdom within 10 months of arrival.

Can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Uchenna Victor Moses, and I am Nigerian. I am happily married to my lovely wife Esther and we are blessed with a son Kainos. I came to the UK in May 2022 for my Master’s in International Management after years of working as a project manager at CEES Assist Resources, Abuja, a consulting firm that deals with most world banks, EU, and other development agency projects in Nigeria. We focused primarily on training and human capacity development, consultancy, banking, health, IT, construction, and general contracts across the 36 states in Nigeria. My first degree was in biochemistry; although my first job had no relation to my work experience, I decided years later to have a degree that was related to my work experience, which led me to the University of Bolton. I chose Bolton because of the course modules, which I felt were more practical for me compared to other universities in the region. Ten months after being in the UK, everything changed as I decided to run for Students’ Union president against popular opinion. My friends told me that I didn’t have the social network to win the election, but I did win as an international student who hadn’t spent up to 1 year.

What gave you the courage, or, should I say, what did you think made you win?

Well, I will say interpersonal relationships. I belonged to societies. I was Vice President of the International Student Community, organised by Boluwatife Oyesola, the first black female Students’ Union President, and I was also a very strong stakeholder in the African Caribbean Society alongside my very good friends Olufemi Kusimo and Collins Oturubo, who was the Chairman. My Instagram handle and other social media handles only became popular after I had won the election and an incident that happened where I lost a fully funded opportunity to go to an event in Spain because I had no video reference to my work at the university. Since then, I have said I will always put what I did to the public for future opportunities that may come my way.

I was the first Nigerian international student to step foot in the UK during my cohort, and that gave me a platform. Many people got a first-hand view of the university and surroundings, information about part-time jobs, and living in the UK through me. It was tough to manage because I had studies, assignments, my wife and son, and people’s queries to answer. Being a project manager for over 10 years, multi-tasking is something that I have gotten used to. I recall sometimes having to manage stakeholders across various projects running concurrently. My job experience helped me. This gesture extended to my Asian friends and across the international community. I was a face to be recognized in their minds, not social media. I never knew the relationship would pay off in the future. Nurturing and building relationships are important.

Interestingly, I lost so many votes because people couldn’t place a face to my name as they knew Bigvic on Telegram and WhatsApp, but not Victor and Uchenna as some staff and students knew me. As I approached students during the campaign, they would shout, ‘are you bigvic?’ My campaign was telling people I was bigvic instead of voting for me as president. It was a funny experience. An interpersonal relationship was my winning point.

Wow, what a story. You mentioned societies, from your profile on the university website, it stated you worked with the university and were recognized for an achievement you made?

Yes, the Diversity column on Student Hub. Before I proceed, I want to say a huge appreciation to Charlotte Castelli, who gave me the platform and found my work worthy to put forward, and Kalbir Cross, who guided me in the research approach, when I didn’t understand the task. Without them, I wouldn’t have accomplished this, and my colleague Steven, who helped me as well. Diversity Hub is a column with job sites targeted at ethnic minorities and strives to increase access to opportunities for everyone, especially international students who face many challenges, ranging from culture to social and visa restrictions. Working for the University Careers Service opened my eyes to the massive investment the team was undertaking to ensure students land their dream jobs when they graduate. Working with the careers service also gave me a platform.

I had the opportunity to share with my peers the amazing work the careers team does, from word of mouth to break-in sessions. Even in times where we went and pasted posters across campus, it gave me the opportunity to increase my network, especially with the home students, answering their questions on what we do, from CV and cover letter writing to job interview preparation, career counselling, and lots more. I was so loud on it, especially to international students who were new in a country where most of what is done and how it is done is different from back home.

Why SU President?

I received enormous support as a student, and I wanted to extend this same support network or system to other students. I wanted to give back to the university that gave so much to me. This is seen in the manner of projects that I have initiated so far. I felt I was supported so much by my tutors and non-teaching staff. I enjoyed a very warm, conducive, and supportive atmosphere, and I wanted to play a part in showing this same support to students. Becoming SU President was also born out of the passion to solve a challenge; that challenge was communicating the fantastic infrastructure in place to students so they could utilise it for themselves. I learned how important it was to see students explain the university support system to other students as well. It is a different thing when a staff member is promoting these services and a student is doing the same to fellow students. I wanted a bigger platform to promote what the university was doing, and at the same time, I felt I had so much to offer in terms of student experience.

As the President of the Bolton Students’ Union, I have been dedicated to nurturing strategic partnerships with the university, especially our hardworking and visionary Vice Chancellor, George to enhance the overall student experience, while fostering inclusivity and diversity within the university community. So I believe as a visionary leader geographic location does not limit me.

Going through your YouTube handle and events on social media, The University of Bolton Students’ Union has seen a surge of innovative programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the student experience since you became Student Union President. With record-breaking accomplishments in less than 4 months in office, what drives you?

Like I said earlier, if you have been given much support, you will most likely want to do the same. Giving back to the community is a central theme in the UK; it resonated in me so much more when I came to the UK, and in all the chances I have had, I ensure it is the passion for what I do.

As long as it gives students the opportunity to build their social network, up skill, and improve their experience, I am in. The passion to serve drives me, and the passion to see people’s voices recognized and heard in the most diplomatic way beneficial to both parties drives me.

We have a visionary leader in Prof. George E. Holmes, the Vice Chancellor, whose commitment is to the student experience, and his support for me also propels me to do more because I know I have university leadership that values student experience in terms of academics and social skills. I mean they always have my back.

In most inductions and student gatherings I am invited to speak at, I tell students that they have something to contribute, although they are new. Understanding this makes learning interesting. Skills are transferable, irrespective of the country in which you acquired them. Working with the university and the recognition of the diversity hub column on the student hub, as well as my activities in societies, especially the International Student Society and African Caribbean Society, made me value volunteering; it made me appreciate the satisfaction of being a part of people’s journey.

Every day, I sit in my office. When I am not attending meetings or engagements, I ask myself what I can do to give students the opportunity to improve their skills, volunteer, add value to themselves, improve their social network, and most importantly, enjoy their student journey while utilising the university infrastructure. I continually engage with students to ask them what they need.

The important part for me is ensuring that everyone I come across feels valued; that has been my culture right from the beginning, especially as a project manager in Nigeria. Then again, I love and appreciate the way the university makes me feel valued, from Prof. Holmes to the tutors, and that attitude passes on to the student. So that inspires me. Making people feel valued is the culture of the university; that alone is enough to set anyone on track to achieve greatness.

So, like Nigerian President Bola Tinubu would say, in my case, it was hitting the ground running from day one. Another inspiration aside from the fact that I felt I had something to offer, the VC, staff, and students, are my predecessors, and I want to specially acknowledge them in this interview for their fantastic work.

I owe my speed to the firm foundation they set; their reputation paved the way for all I am doing. Most importantly Boluwatife Oyesola, the first International Student Union President of Nigerian origin; Ansh Sachdeva, the first Indian International Student Union President; and Nihit Tiwari. Their amazing reputation and mind-blowing achievements gave me the platform to do what I am doing, and I always acknowledge that. So aside from the fact that I understand how important my personal reputation is, I understand the great role they played before my arrival.

Talking about the VC, SU Presidents, ups and downs are usual traditions in history; how would you describe your relationship with the university and the leadership?

I describe our relationship as fantastic, robust, an opportunity to learn from both sides as we are from different cultures, and a relationship I am proud of. Already, as a project manager, I understand that the words no and yes are all part of relationship building, even at home. I am not saying the university tells me no; I am saying that the manner in which I am listened to or considered makes the outcome highly appreciative. When conversations are undertaken by two open-minded people, the outcome will be appreciated by both. But when there are two parties unwilling to come to a middle ground, conflict is inevitable.

In my four months, I have enjoyed overwhelming support. I know am working really hard, but without the University who believed in me, I don’t think, I would have any story to tell. I have enjoyed my emails being responded to with priority, not because it is me, but because of the office and the value the university has for student experience. This motivates me to get down to work and ensure students are happy to the best that I can handle. I see Prof Holmes as a strategic partner in achieving overall student experience.

What was your experience, and would you recommend the University of Bolton to anyone?

Yes, and yes. Recently we were ranked among the top 30 Guardian universities and received a silver rating status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), a huge achievement. I will recommend the University of Bolton to my friends and colleagues all over the globe because of the support you receive during and after your schooling. For inclusion, diversity, and the support to achieve your career goals and objectives. The availability of departments, units, and special services to address student comfort and needs.

I am a good example; a University who helps an immigrant like me succeed shows that everyone gets the support they need to achieve their potential. For me, Bolton is Uniasitshouldbe.

The University of Bolton being home is a slogan we all echo and share in common. The small class sizes, interaction with tutors, and support network across the university. The modules, especially for my course—the real-life case studies, discussions, and group work—are worth the investment. For everyone who wants a community where they will be valued alongside high academic standards, the University of Bolton is the place.

Looking through your Instagram and LinkedIn handles, we could see numerous accomplishments in just a short time. I want you to run through some of them.

• Bolton Leadership Conference: Team Lead: Ngozi Obiageri and Olajuwon Yakubu
• Educational Trip to the UK Parliament: Team lead: Olubunmi Akintan
• Student-led VC’s question and answer time: Project Team lead: Praise Young
• Global Talent Visa Webinar for International Students: Focus on Research and Knowledge Transfer Program (KTP)
• Launched the first phase of a sustainability and climate change workshop tagged my environment and me. Project Team lead: Kikelomo Osato-Osunbor
• Hosted the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK. Project Team Lead: Collins Oturubo
• Bolton students’ Parliament
• Launch of the Bolton Student Union Podcast: Project Team Lead Luna
• International Trip: European Union Commission Tour-Brussels-Project Team Lead- Victor Jebutu
• Navigating the UK as an International Student Event Project Team Leads Austin Tase and Abiose Bankole
• Black History Month Podcast: Project Team Lead: Jeremiah Oluseun Ajibade

How were you able to pull through all these, managing family, work, and your rest time?

I owe everything to people. Project management is centred on the entire team; the same goes for my role as president. My darling wife, Esther, a highly supportive university, and very importantly, the Vice Chancellor, who has the best interests of his presidents at heart despite his busy schedules, the Students Union General Manager, as well as our amazing students. The success of a leader is dependent on people.

What have you enjoyed so far as Student Union President, and what’s your future plan?

I have enjoyed partnering with the university in my office as President; I have enjoyed working as a governor and being on panels where matters and policies concerning the university generally and students are addressed. I have enjoyed and valued being a part of people’s journeys of building relationships, being professional, and maintaining relationships, especially in getting student voices heard in the right way and manner, in a winning manner – a win-win for all. My exit plan: initially, I thought a career change from project management to business analysis would be good, but this role greatly impacted my life and reminded me of the need to continue in project management. It is my dream to work with the United Nations someday.

What did you find challenging as president, and what do you want to be remembered for?

Most times when I have encounters with staff, students, colleagues, and university management, I remind myself that I want to finish up in such a way and manner that when I leave, those I have worked with can attest to the fact that I was professional and can attest to my character, and have faith that I can deliver irrespective of my personality, anywhere, any place. The relationships I have built and nurtured, I believe, will all come in handy someday. From university management to students. I want the university and the union to remember me like my predecessors, as a great and outstanding partner in the student journey during my time, as one partner who valued the university image and upheld standards.

What message do you have for students as President?

Prof. Holmes always says “Be there.” As Student Union President, I will say that even if you have a chance to study for another degree here, the experience will never be the same. Seize opportunities, leverage the support you have here as a university, and make the most of your career. Don’t remain isolated; volunteer, build your social network, be open-minded, and understand that your personality and journey are unique. You will and must rely on people, but you cannot in any way compare yourself with anyone. Your view of people should be how they inspire you to be a better person by their progress, not how they are progressing more than you. Conflicts happen; they are inevitable, but remaining open-minded and considering all stakeholders will set you on course for success.