1. Why did you choose to contest Education Commissioner?
I chose to contest this election as I think i’ve reached a point in my student life that I have learnt so much, I know I have something to give back to students at University, and the position of Education Commissioner is the perfect opportunity to do that.
2. What is your background in organisations?
I began my experience when I became Secretary General of the Arts Student’s Association in 2014. After a year occupying this post, I then became the President of the same organisation, which is the role I currently occupy. During this time, I have had experience in formulating the RAR report as well as rewriting a large part of the organisations statute. I also formed part of various KSU subcommitees.
3. Why should student representatives trust you with their vote?
I believe that representatives should trust me with their vote because I am contesting this election in order to improve upon something which is important to us all- education. By voting for me, student representatives will be trusting someone who intends to use the position they gain to empower the representatives themselves, who will make sure to listen to what they have to say and keep up constant communication with the student population.
4. How do you plan to tackle apathy at University?
When it comes to education, I believe that apathy exists because students do not know just how much of a difference they can make if they speak about the problems they encounter. I intend to tackle this problem by introducing workshops for first year students and international students which will highlight the way that the process of representatives and complaints works at University.
I also plan on encouraging students to go study abroad by creating an Erasmus Feedback programme, were students who have gone on Erasmus can write about their experience and this will in turn serve as a guide for future students who are interested in going on Erasmus.
5. Why are you better for the role than other contesting candidates?
I have worked for almost two years as a representative in the Faculty of Arts, a faculty which consists of approximately 1,300 students split into 16 different departments. This has given me training in handling complaints which are specific to many different courses and departments, while still representing the faculty as a whole. This structure is similar to that of KE, which deals with many different faculties, institutes and departments while representing the University as a whole, and this makes me very prepared to take on the role. In the Faculty of Arts, I have managed to increase student engagement with representatives such as myself, something else which I wish to apply to KE.
6. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the management of last year’s KE office overall, and give a reason for your rating.
7 /10— I believe that the management last year tackled all the problems that it encountered quickly and efficiently, always asking all representatives for feedback and giving them the opportunity to take part in any discussion that was taking place. As with all things, I also believe that there was still some room for improvement.
7. What would you have done better or changed if you could?
I believe that a change was necessary in the amount of attention given to the different problems that are encountered by seperate faculties. Further attention should be given to these problems while still tackling those issues that affect University as a whole.