Over 100 youngsters signed up to the electoral register at the annual Black National Union of Students winter conference on Saturday.

The event, held at the Institute of Education in London, saw up to 200 young people attend the event to gain training and learn how to become more involved in union campaigns on their campuses.

The day entailed sessions where students were informed about how to run clubs and societies, and how to conduct anti-racist campaigns.

Ruqayyah Collector, Black students’ officer of the NUS, said that the event was a complete success and felt that the students were inspired by their speakers to encourage them to register to vote and be more active in their unions.

She commented: “I am adamant that many students left feeling inspired and empowered to do something on their campuses. Everyone was buzzing from what the speakers were saying and I’m sure that will transpire to whatever they decide to do in their student unions.”

Some of the key speakers included Lee Jasper, Chair of the National Black Alliance, Inayat Bunglawala from the Muslim Council of Britian, Trustee of The 1990 Trust Karen Chouhan, OBV director Simon Woolley, Dawn Butler MP and Sabby Dhalu, Joint-Secretary of Unite Against Fascism.

OBV director Simon Woolley said: “The energy at the NUS Black Students annual event was awesome. You have 200 plus students from across the country collectively ready to move mountains in the fight for social and racial justice. These young men and women do their communities proud.”

Nina Ziaullah, head of campaigns at the Electoral Commission, said that BME groups and students were under-registered and believed that it was great that OBV were able to help and encourage students to fill in registration forms.

She added: "If you're not registered to vote, you don't get to have your say on the issues that affect you from the quality of your education to crime levels in your area, so we're pleased to support OBV and the NUS' work to raise awareness of voter registration among black students."