Search Engage

Care enough to confront, care enough to speak out.

Hi everyone, I'm Nikita (or Nik for short)! I'm a long-standing Leeds University student: I did my BA in Arabic and Islamic Studies here, and I'm currently doing an MSc in Inequalities and Social Science. I've also been involved in student leadership at Leeds for a number of years, including serving on the Activities Executive and more recently as a Liberation Coordinator. My running to be an NUS Delegate is an extension of that involvement. The NUS has been hard-pressed in recent years to put actions to where their words are and to be a more effective representive of both home and international students. In addition, the ability of the NUS to support and defend minority students when they need it most has recently come under serious doubt. If I'm elected, I will work with my fellow NUS Delegates to push the NUS to prove its worth to us students and to rethink how it can act as a more impactful ally to us. Now more than ever, we students need real support from those in places of power and authority, and the NUS has a moral obligation to be a part of that support.

#BeASmarty #VoteHaryati
If you were a student here before Sep 2022 you might have seen the hashtag. I was a part-time, mature student who realised that my demographic gets overlooked when the student experience is mentioned.
That's why as your Equality and Liberation officer, I work to ensure that our voices are heard, that systems of oppression prevent all from an equitable university experience for all. Take the cost of living for example - marginalised students have had to face it long before it became a crisis.
There's lots more need to be done. I'd love to have your vote for NUS delegate so I can represent you at a national level.

Hey my name is Kris Sekhsaria 2nd year international business student . I am suitable for this post .

As an NUS delegate I promise to make active efforts to accurately represent the needs and desires of UoL's student body by speaking to students regularly and being present and available to anyone with concerns.

My name is Aurel Thiofilus, I'm from Indonesia and a 2nd-year student studying Human Resources Management. Having previous experience in Model UN and debates helps me to share my thoughts and beliefs professionally. Being taught to negotiate but not back down from an argument prepares me for the NUS conference to support the LUU, however, I believe this is less important than my values. I will use this opportunity to stand up for what I believe in and will do more for inclusivity, climate change, and social justice. As an International student, I'm well aware of what it feels like to be ignored. And I believe that this year specifically, many of us students feel the same way, being silenced and brushed aside for speaking up. I believe there are ways for our causes to be heard and considered. As part of the union, I believe that responding to the issues raised or causes that are brought up makes a difference, sitting idly by the side won't make the problem go away. Many of us, myself included, have been told that the conversation we are having about racism or violence is offensive or uncomfortable. To be honest, It is. It's not supposed to slip by a casual conversation and I believe this is why someone needs to stand up and be willing to talk about it. Vote for me as part of LUU's NUS delegation, III pay attention so you don't have to.

I'm Michail and I am a 3rd Year student of Business Management with Marketing (currently in my Placement Year) from Greece. I started University during lockdowns, COVID and restrictions and am currently experiencing it with many students concerned about the cost of living crisis, the strikes, and their future. There are many issues that we can solve if we work together, that’s why NUS is important; and I want to be an NUS Delegate because we can deliver change and support for students on a National Level. I have been following the current affairs and challenges the student community and LUU have and how NUS, the University but also LUU respond and I can say that we as students need more. I will use my experience and student opinions to represent us to the NUS Conference and help form new policies that will benefit every student.

Vote Emily for your NUS Delegate

Hi everyone! I’m Emily, your Wellbeing Officer for this year’s Student Exec. I have absolutely loved having the opportunity to represent a broad range of student concerns within the university and wider Leeds community, and hope to be able to take my ambitions and ideas to a national level.

Cost of Living crisis
We must acknowledge and address existing wellbeing issues such as night-time safety, mental health and work-life balance, that have been compounded by the pressures of the cost of living crisis. In my position as a student leader, I aim to lobby the government and the university to increase the level of wellbeing support provided to any student in need.

Partnership
I’m a firm believer in the necessity of collaboration to achieve change for students, through both the sharing of ideas and mutual support. This is important not only within our own institutions, but across the HE sector in general, and with other change-makers in our communities, whether that be local organisations, councils, or individuals. I will advocate for transparency and inclusivity at all stages of NUS’ democratic processes to build a foundation of trust for us to work together from.

I'm Ella, I recently graduated from Biological Sciences and now I'm your activities & opportunities officer at Leeds University Union. I have loved being able to address important issues and shape students' lives in Leeds and I hope to be able to do this on a national level!

Priority 1- Cost of living.
University is an important time for personal development and for many this is through extra-curricular activities. Due to the cost of living crisis, extra-curricular activities will be the first thing that many students have to drop. I will work with NUS to strengthen their cost of living campaign to not just help students survive, but thrive and develop outside of the classroom.

Priority 2- Value of sport.
Sport and physical activity is incredibly important to so many students, it brings people together and creates a sense of community on campus, as well as having many physical and mental wellbeing benefits. Sport should be for every student, not just those who complete at an elite level, I want this to be prioritised!

Hello, my name is Sanjay Thekepatt, a second-year Economics and Finance student. I am the Vice President of Engagement for Enactus Leeds, With Enactus, I manage our network with our sponsors, business coaches and the society itself based here. I have gained communication skills as an individual which in turn has also helped me turn into a better team player, a skill that is essential when it comes to being an NUS Delegate. Additionally, I am the operations director for 24 Hour Race Leeds. I am in charge of organising a fundraising 24 Hour Race due to happen in March, which aims to raise awareness for modern day slavery. I will be managing the logistics and the actual procedures and running of the event on race day. Through this experience, I have gained more knowledge about this still being an ongoing problem in the modern world which has motivated me further in order to help for the cause.
As an international student, and being part of societies such as the Indian Students Association, National Hindu Society Forum Leeds, Economics Society and Enactus, meeting and networking with students from different backgrounds and cultures has shown me has necessary it is to have that exposure and how diversity should be a topic of discussion, which will be one of the key points I would like to focus on once elected. I hope that my skills are suitable for this role and I look forward to representing the University of Leeds. Thank you.