Step into the simulator

SUT + 2025

SUT+ has two parts – top-up training on subjects we couldn’t cover at SUT, advanced training requested from members and ‘Ballybreag 2025’ – an advanced simulation exercise putting your knowledge, skillset and negotiation ability to the test in a challenging environment.

thursday 14 August 2025

Time

Session Title

Location

Remarks

09.00

breakfast

TBC

Stock up on energy and brainfood. you’re going to need it.

10.30

Ballybreag 2025

Mandela Hall, Queen’s Students’ Union

A full briefing will be given

16.30

Ballybreag 2025 Concludes

Mandela Hall, Queen’s Students’ Union

Time for a breath of air

19.00

Dinner

Cutter’s Wharf Restaurant, 
Lockview Rd, Belfast BT9 5FJ

BBQ 2

friday 15 August 2025

Time

Session Title

Location

Remarks

8.30 – 9.45

breakfast

Sult, Áras na Mac Léinn

Continental or Cooked Breakfast for a hard day’s work

10.00

ETHOS Wrapup

Your Team Room

ethos sessions are outlined below

11.00

Policy Working Groups

TBC

Policy Officers Will Discuss these with delegates

13.00

Lón

SULT, Áras na Mac Léinn

let’s do lunch.

14.00

Comhairle Náisiúnta

tap the link for session synopsis

SUT takes place at University of Galway from 21-25 July 2025

SUT+ takes place at Queen’s University, Belfast from 13 – 15 August 2025

Both events are included in the single package.

SUT is a combined holistic training package for Students’ Union sabbatical officers, incorporating high quality training on the ethos, skills and methods and knowledge you need to be a high-performing students’ union officer.

The programme is developed by experienced trainers, guided by students’ union officers and senior officers in AMLÉ, covering the main emergent skills shortages and needs we’ve identified in SU officers. 

SUT+ is a hands on, focused simulation exercise, compressing a whole semester’s major incidents and troubles into five hours of intensive exercise, reflection and discussion.  

All Sabbatical Officers in AMLÉ membership may attend SUT.

SUT ETHOS is a whole package programme, and it’s expected that officers will attend for the whole programme.

SUT Knowledge and Skills are options lessons, and attendees are expected to choose the sessions they want to attend. 

Self-Care and Reflection are key components of SUT, and we create space for these.

SUT does not replace internal orientation programmes and any specialist training SUs feel they need to individually provide to officers.  Nevertheless, the programme is designed to be holistic and wide-ranging.

There is a social programme attached to SUT – it’s not mandatory to attend the social programme.

  • A focused positive attitude
  • A desire to learn from and share knowledge with our expert trainers and fellow trainees
  • Clothes for 5 days.  Bring wet wear and comfortable clothes for training – it’s Galway!
  • Sleepwear
  • Toilettries
  • Any prescription drugs you rely on for the whole programme
  • You must be a sabbatical officer in an AMLÉ member organisation to attend SUT
  • Bring your ID – some of the social activities are likely to be in Sult, the CMLNG Student Bar.  Since the event takes place during the Galway Festival, they may have security checking IDs
  • Do the Political Compass Test to find out where you really are politically. You’ll never have to share your position on the compass unless you want to, but it will help you orient yourself in one of the Ethos sessions.
  • Prepare to have fun. A big part of SUT is the networking you’ll be part of from your peers and equals from colleges across Ireland.

Training Synopsis

Ethos

Every Morning

Ethos sessions are about developing the skills and motivations of high performing students’ union officers. The bedrock of SUT, all trainees are divided into multi-college groups of practice. We deliver talks, workshops, practical learning and deductive learning methods to ensure each trainee contributes to the whole.  

These are intense sessions, with complex content, well-founded research and lively commentary.  

Ethos sessions are led by confident and experienced trainers – a mix of former students’ union officers and senior administrators from within national students’ movements return to give the benefit of their experience and knowledge in a supportive but demanding training environment.  

We expect all attendees at SUT to attend all Ethos sessions.

Ethos Part 1: My Union, My Team

10am to 1pm Tuesday

What is the point of the SU? 

What is its purpose, and what’s the purpose of SU officers? Why do we undertake activities, and from where does the SU draw its legitimacy?  What are the needs of your students from the SU?  Are you an imposter?

Team Formation and Dynamics

What makes a team function?  How do teams form? How do we prepare ourselves for the differering needs of members of the team?  Clique or team? How much time do we have?  How do we best apply ourselves to the time we have?

Ethos Part 2: Leadership and Power

10am to 1pm

Leadership

What is leadership?  How can an ethical leadership develop in my SU?  Who leads your SU? Inclusive, Empowering, Process Oriented, Purposeful, Ethical and Accountable Leadership.  How do I stay ethical and accountable?

Power

What is power? How do I differentiate it from Authority? What do I do with it?  Who has power, and who doesn’t?  

Ethos Part 3: Achieving Change

10am to 1pm

What shall we do?

What do you think the word ‘campaign’ means?  Should we just crack on and look busy?  Who should decide? How do we find out what students want? Going out and talking. Theory of Change 

Choosing priorities and dumping your wastes of time

Using a Gantt Chart

Power

What is power? How do I differentiate it from Authority? What do I do with it?  Who has power, and who doesn’t?

Join the SUT Training Programme