Following the resignation of KSU’s International Officer for the term 2021/22, KSU’s Electoral Commission is inviting students to vote for a replacement in the upcoming election.
The election is set to take place tomorrow, Friday, 29th October between 9am and 5pm and will be held entirely online. If you are a student eligible to vote, you should be receiving a link via your University email account in the morning. So, keep an eye out for it!
What does the International Officer do?
The International Officer’s main purpose is to fulfil KSU’s international community present on campus, Erasmus+ students and KSU’s foreign counterparts in the European Students’ Union.
The International Office’s Action Plan is as follows:
- Promote cultural diversity by organising a series of cultural events on campus, in which attendees could explore other cultures through various intriguing (and tasty) methods.
- Offer enhances support and advice to all international students who choose the University of Malta as their preferred destination to continue furthering their studies.
- Contact MEPs for internship opportunities within their offices.
- Enquire about organising a trip to Brussels (European Union institutions) for student organisations.
- Work together with the UM International Office to lobby for more Erasmus Exchange opportunities to replace the UK ones.
- Continuation of the Buddy System for international students who are studying at the University of Malta.
- Organise an integration/orientation day on campus for all students.
- Gather more feedback for the continuation of the Erasmus+ booklet.
- Continue our representation at the European Student Union (ESU) and maintain the international sub-committee with the aim of aiding the International Officer with their ESU duties.
- Plan a leisure trip open to all University of Malta students (depending on the COVID-19 situation).
Gozo
- Lobby for GUG to have a permanent premises on the revamped Gozo Campus (sorted).
- Lobby for improvements in the X300 bus route.
- Hold meetings with GUG regarding the Gozitan students’ rent issue and follow up accordingly.
- Collaborate with GUG on issues concerning all Gozitan students and provide a voice for better planning and discussion.
- Keep the luggage room open and accessible for all Gozitan students.
Meet the Candidates for KSU’s International Officer
There are two candidates you can vote for to fulfill this position- Samuel Buttigieg or Waleed Alhweeshel. They each come from quite different backgrounds; law and medicine respectively, each bringing a variety of skills and experience to the table.
Waleed Alhweeshel: ISA founder and Internationalism Connoisseur
Waleed has been a student for 4 years now, with plenty of experience in student activism, having a specific interest in internationalism. During his time as the student representative on the board of school and study in the International School of foundation studies, Waleed attended KE meetings which KSU organised in the term 2019/20.
Following this experience, Waleed co-founded the ISA ( International Students Association), giving a platform for international students to represent themselves and make their voices heard. Waleed was elected as the first president for this association. This role introduced him to many discussions with interantional students, communitis and entities which were concerned with internationalism and inclusion. All of this exposure helped Waleed develop a holistic perspective of internationalism.
Waleed shared some reasons why he feels he would be an ideal candidate with The Third Eye:
I think students internationals and locals alike should vote for me because
I have experience not only with student activism in Malta but with the actual field of internationalism surrounding the position itself.
I understand the potency of the position and wish to push it to its full potential and have shown how I will do so in my plan of action.
I am well-positioned in the international students’ community to produce some meaningful changes within the community and develop comprehensive inclusion plans from the position within the international student community itself.
I believe in equal access to opportunity for all students Maltese and internationals and I believe I can bring that by working on inclusivity plans in different areas within the university of Malta reaching from social life to organizational work and academic development.
Waleed Alhweeshel- Electoral Candidate for KSU International Officer for the year 2021/22
For further reference be sure to read through Waleed’s plan of action here!
Samuel Buttigieg- Master of Advocacy in the Making and Student Activist
Samuel Buttigieg has graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and is currently in the process of pursuing a Master of Advocacy at the University of Malta.
Samuel also shared his reasons for his candidature with The Third Eye:
I believe I am competent for this role based on my experience in student activism. I have been part of the Gozo University Group (GUG) for the past three years where I held different roles with different responsibilities.
I have also been part of the previous KSU International Officer’s subcommittee, which I think will be very resourceful should I be elected as International Officer with KSU, since I already have certain exposure to what the Office does.
I believe that it is important that there is Gozitan representation within KSU, to continue on what the previous International Officer already started.
I am committed to work for the inclusion and integration of every student at the University of Malta. Now that we are physically back on campus I think it is the best opportunity for the student community to strengthen itself as a one whole and diverse student community.
Samuel Buttigieg- Electoral Candidate for KSU International Officer for the year 2021/22
The Third Eye encourages all students to vote during tomorrow’s election! The voting is open to both University and Junior College students. If you have any difficulty in voting or have questions, you can contact the Electoral Commission here:
E-mail: electoralcommission@ksu.org.mt
Phone: 23402104
The Third Eye would like to wish both candidates the best of luck for tomorrow’s election!