Vote Thisath for International & PostGrad Officer



Inclusion, Collaboration, Representation





Policies



Inclusion

Recognise international students as the diverse demographic of people that are, by providing platforms for our cultures to be part of the greater Leeds community.



Collaboration

Work with faculties to foster inclusive events and environments for students from the school level upwards.



Representation

Push international student priorities more strongly at the university decision making table: our fees aren’t cheap, and neither are our lecturers. Respect the fees we pay and give us the education we came here for.





Why me?



Leadership

I’ve held several student leadership positions throughout my three years at Leeds. I know how to process and deliver the change that students demand.



Experience

As president of one of Leeds’ largest academic societies, POLISSOC, I’ve learnt how to bring out the best in a team and achieve greater objectives together.



Insider

I have a strong understanding of the systems within our university. By joining the exec, I want to expand my reach and bring better experiences to all Leeds students.





There’s more

To see these policies explored in more detail, talk to me, and to find out more about me, find me on Instagram & Facebook:



@vote.thisath

Who Am I?

Hi, this is Rashi.

Being an international student from India who started the course in January of 2021 in Media and Communications. I have experienced Leeds and the university in its silence and quiet and in its vibrance. I came here just on merit and reputation.

Why me You Ask?

Two things that describe me are resilience and optimism which makes me a capable candidate.

As an international student, I have experienced the lack of connectivity and the importance of university and union to bring people of diverse cultures and backgrounds together, especially in the time of online learning.

My overall idea would be to work on is making the university experience worth the value for students making an active choice to invest in the university.

You, Your Vote, Your Representation.

For this, I have three main propositions.

Firstly

Break this cycle to get a job -

Need work experience to get a job -

Introduction of skills certifications courses for students within their schools with industry day and practical exposure to get the inside experience.

Making internationals and postgraduates ready for the job market

First month feedback survey focusing on the delivery mechanism and language support.

Foundational first week on academic essay writing and all resource access and software.

Secondly

The most important aspect of international education is cross culture exchange and connectivity which we have missed for a long time since covid. With most of the lectures still delivered online there needs to be an increase of interactivity in other spaces.

I propose World Culture Day a month to celebrate the diverse international society with thematic free food and music.

Third

Inflation should not affect the students – lobbying the university for more reasonable, sustainable and decommercialized and food options in the union building. I will propose subsidized food options in the buildings and companies which offer subsidized food options to come in.

In addition, I want the union to be more accessible to students with language assistance QR codes on posters and signage.

Heyy Guys I'm Bevin, I am from India and I am an Int'l Post Grad student pursuing MSc Data Analytics and HRM in LUBS. I am currently living in the University Halls of Residence, St. Marks. My progression during the first 3 months of joining the University has been like Course Rep -> School Rep (Work & Employ. Relations Dept.) -> Student Ambassador (Digital Edu. Service).
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During my career in India, I have worked as a Headhunter for software technology product companies in the fortune 500 clientele. I changed people's life one profile at a time, having placed some senior tech leaders into companies like Amazon, Amex, Adobe, Walmart, etc.
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[1st Problem]: Among 24 Russell Group of Universities, UoL does not provide 24hrs Library access. .......................................................................................................................................
[1st Solution]: Enable 24HR LIBRARY ACCESS to students within the University
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[1st Impact]: You no longer have to worry about ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES.
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[2nd Problem]: School Reps are valued by the Uni but however it is a voluntary role.
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[2nd Solution]: Make School Reps a PAID POSITION for all departments.
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[2nd Impact]: You no longer need to ask your parents for EXTRA POCKET MONEY
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[3rd Problem]: We often spend huge £ on authentic Int'l food cuisines in Leeds.
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[3rd Solution]: Launch INT'L FOOD CUISINES of your choice in Refectory and enable students who live outside halls of residence to buy food bundles.
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[3rd Impact]: NO NEED TO TRAVEL FAR and worry about finding your favorite authentic Int'l restaurants in Leeds.
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[4th Problem]: Part-time jobs are hard to find through Joblink.
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[4th Solution]: STREAMLINE job applications and help students navigate in finding part-time jobs.
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[4th Impact]: MORE MONEY to buy groceries & daily needs.
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[5th Problem]: Low engagement and fun activities within the Intl' student community.
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[5th Solution]: Launch Intl' FILM SCREENING events within the University/Accommodations. Screen Movies from different countries every week/month.
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[5th Impact]: Go for MOVIE DATE with your Int'l friends.
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[6th Problem]: Making new friends, especially with home students is quite hard.
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[6th Solution]: Introduce a BUDDY SCHEME that connects 1-1 friends within the same course.
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[6th Impact]: A FRIEND THAT HELPS you with doubts and coursework modules.
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[7th Problem]: Current Digital Education tools like Minerva, Blackboard, Zoom, Teams are quite complicated + clustered, and all over the place making the user experience tricky.
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[7th Solution]: Introduce and IMPROVE DIGITAL TOOLS with STUDENT FRIENDLY User Interface / User Experience.
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[7th Impact]: Better SATISFACTION and LESS STRESS
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Hey I’m Vicky, a second year International relations student. I am a Chinese international student, in my previous school I had the responsibility of being a course representative and manager of the school’s social account.



As an international student, a course rep, and a manager of the social account for my school, I deeply understand what difficulties most International students are dealing with, and I have managed to arrange lots of successful meetings and events for students:



• Represented and delivered students’ requests and feedback, as well as working with the school to respond.

• Worked as part of a team, organising and managing social events across all age groups within the school

• Liaised directly with senior members of school staff, negotiating funding for events, as well as gaining permission

• Scheduled and planned events, worked closely with the school and external suppliers, booked acts and catering when required

• Utilised excellent organisational and time management skills to ensure the smooth running of all events

• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, as well as the ability to follow instructions
• Conducted myself in a professional manner at all meetings



I’m a dedicated, organised, and methodical individual, I'm determined and enthusiastic to make a change in the university with my ideas.



• Providing help for incoming international students

Problem: for incoming international students, settling in a completely strange city is scary, they could be anxious about all sorts of issues such as language barrier, cultural shock, and racism.

Policy: Setting up a Buddy mentor system for incoming international students to get in touch with their mentors who are international students already on campus, providing assistance for them to settle in Leeds.



• Providing more assistance with financial matters

Problem: Many housings require a guarantor to be present

Policy: Promoting and expand the use of guarantor services across campus.



• Further assistance after graduation

Problem: for the postgraduates, leaving school could mean it’s hard to meet new people.

Policy: More meetings, social events will be arranged for the post graduates going to the major cities after graduation!