Introduction

Hey! My name is Sai, and I am re-running to be your Vice President for Welfare! I used to be a Tier 4 International student before becoming an elected current Vice President for Welfare, with a background in Engineering and Psychology.

What are your three priorities for the year?

1. Campaigns around Mental Health and Cost of Living:

I am currently working on projects to sustain Mental Health Funding from the government, and have significantly managed to make contact with Ministers and Local MSPs, along with working in collaboration with the NUS in making this a major priority under the Cost of Living Campaign. However, I would like to keep this work going in the coming year to ensure our services are always available for students to be supported at all times.

2. Robust Welfare Strategy:

Following this year, I would ideally like to extend my work in building a robust welfare strategy that encompasses welfare academically, within the community, and for recreation. Along with supporting Liberation, I would also like to highlight and develop an appropriate policy that accommodates and provides support for students with intersectional identities. One of my biggest priorities would be to extend this work to all our campuses.

3. Promoting a Healthy and Realistic sense of Community:

Inevitably the aftereffects of the pandemic carry forward to this day, and we are still finding our feet, divesting from the recent past. As we settle back into an ‘in person' environment, it is essential that we address the need for realistic self-care and well-being, that in turn builds a sense of comfort and community. Along with our diverse demographic of students, I would like to encompass campaigns and events to promote a healthy exchange of culture rather than assimilation.

What unique skill/knowledge can you bring to the role to stand out from the other candidates? 

As a returning officer, I have set objectives to improve the overall welfare of the student body, but I also have a dynamic style of working, which means I am flexible to adapt objectives to current issues. I am quite relatable and approachable as a person, and I make sure that this reflects on my work for the entire student body. And hey! I’m always up for a chat if anything :)  I also value incorporating lived experiences in creating a much more inclusive and welcoming environment for anyone and everyone on this campus.

What do you think is the biggest issue that students are facing at the moment and how do you plan to tackle it? 

Since we have a diverse demographic of students, we should be catering more towards a community approach on wellbeing and student welfare. Nationally we have drawn attention to importance of discretionary funds for International Students, following the Cost of Living Crisis and Permanent Funding for Mental Health Services across the Higher Education sector. Students should be able to experience their best student life in every aspect. I would like to highlight an attempt to celebrate the authentic lived experiences and identities of all students, to incorporate them within good practice at University and the Union. My ultimate aim is to bring in student voice and representation for Welfare , to lobby University and National bodies to bring the best for students, by the students.