Deputy President (Postgraduate Students) - Candidate Shama Rahman
Manifesto
I was Head of Marketing for the radio station at UCL hosting many events with DJs and live performances (bands, jugglers, graffiti artists); the largest was attended by more than 700 people!
If you vote for me, I'll bring an immense amount of experience at managing and running social events that will have an appeal to students from a wide variety of social and academic backgrounds.
I'll work hard to represent graduates both in the internal structure of the union and to external bodies to further initiate affiliations.
I will help the GSA reach its full potential by building on its emphasis to represent the best interest of its members.
I like to learn so I'm always open to suggestions.
I'm approachable and easy to work with. I also like to see things get done and promise a passion for the work at hand.
Are you satisfied with the running of the GSA this year?
It's only been a year, so everyone's trying to figure out how to go about doing things. As far as publicity goes, the only thing I was aware of was the Christmas party. What the GSA does hasn't really been made that clear. So it's not really been in my eye.
So what needs improving?
Graduate students come from all around the world and from different backgrounds, a lot of them feel quite lonely coming to London. Also coming to a new university with a lot of their friends elsewhere, I reckon the GSA should be a big part of that. There should be more regular events, and, as students come from a variety of backgrounds, they shouldn't all be drinking sessions.
You put a massive emphasis on socialising and events, but what about welfare?
As well as setting up surgeries, I would set up a few more representatives, as on my course we were told to elect a representative only last month, which isn't good enough really.
There needs to be a better liaison between course organisers and the GSA, so people actually feel like they're being heard. I think there should also be more pastoral care, and I would like to see that realised.
Do you think the GSA should elect a welfare officer?
That's something that can really be seen once you're in the post, to see what demand there is for that. It's not something I can predict, off the cuff.
You say you're open to suggestions how would you go about gauging postgraduate views?
People should be made more aware that I'm here to help, so that they would come and see me, or bother replying back.
Personally, I would put suggestion boxes in all the campuses in the main areas.
People in Wye and Silwood Park can't make it down to South Kensington, so they can get in touch by e-mail or remote access.
Telephone lines should be made free as well so that they can call.
