Meet your candidate: SU Postgraduate Officer

Meet the candidates running to be your next Students’ Union Postgraduate Officer in this year’s spring elections.

Sian Bolton

Hi, I’m Sian, and I’d love to be your next postgraduate officer. Postgraduate students make up 40% of students at Warwick, but the university often overlooks us. Policies that work for undergraduate students don’t always work for us, and I am passionate about tackling the genuine issues we encounter during our studies. Problems like lack of welfare and mental health support, financial difficulties, poor housing, social isolation and unrealistic expectations are genuine problems that need attention. I would work my hardest to combat these issues and be a dedicated representative for all postgraduate students’ interests.

Why are you running for this role?

I’m running because COVID has proven that the university can often be quick to dismiss postgraduate needs. We’ve too often been an afterthought in mitigation policies and support packages. The role of a postgraduate officer is vital in ensuring that we are included in decisions that are made about us. Going into an unpredictable year, postgraduates need an outspoken representative who will listen and advocate for the voices and interests of all of us. I believe I am that candidate.

What, in your opinion, most needs changing at Warwick?

I think a significant problem is that students just aren’t listened to. The university continually makes decisions that clearly aren’t in students’ best interests. When we talk about being overworked, they tell us to drink water. When we say that access to safe and affordable housing is limited, they still abolish Warwick Accommodation. When students in minority groups report that they face discrimination, they aren’t believed. The university will continue to make decisions that hurt students if they aren’t scrutinised.

What has been your favourite memory from your time at Warwick?

I love the Warwick community with all my heart, and it’s what makes me so passionate about standing up for it. I have been so fortunate to have been involved with so many great societies with wonderful people. My favourite memory was when I did an hour set of karaoke in the middle of a sunny day on the Piazza to raise money for CRASAC with RAW. I don’t think any SU campaign can ruin my dignity after that.

Hawa Ocheni

I am Hawa Ocheni. I will be bringing my leadership skills which I have gained over the years as the postgraduate officer, to bridge the gap between Warwick staff and students. Together we can once again affirm the ideals and principles of the postgraduate school, Inclusion, Interaction, Projects, and Socialising.

Why are you running for this role?

I am running for the role of the postgraduate officer because as a postgraduate student myself I know the problems most postgraduate students face as I have attended several SSLC focus group meetings and made immense contributions.

As an individual, I am very outgoing and easily connect with individuals. I will leverage on this skill of mine to make the University of Warwick postgraduate school easily accessible to students by being an effective liaison between students and the university authority.

What, in your opinion, most needs changing at Warwick?

In my opinion the student -staff interaction could be worked upon. We have the personal tutor hours which enable students reach out to their personal tutors, but these could be extended to individual module convenors to enable better interaction with module convenors.

I think better services could be rendered to the part time postgraduate students to give them a better sense of belonging.

I recommend the closing hours for reading spaces be extended so that students can read effectively.

What has been your favourite memory from your time at Warwick?

I joined the University of Warwick during the covid-19 pandemic and I refused to succumb to the negative effects of the virus. I joined the Public speaking society and Warwick Islamic society and was fully engaged in the activities.

We had to physically distance ourselves, but I felt very socially connected.  My most memorable moments are the times I spent with my classmates having virtual games, lunch, and yoga. The Islamic society halaqa’s/ events gave me more meaning and purpose.  

Nathan Parsons

The SU has lost its focus, become ineffective at representing us, and has failed to challenge University decisions clearly harmful to (and opposed by) students. Only through a truly student-led SU can we hope to improve our university experience. I will re-establish students as the decision-makers in our SU.

I will build an SU where postgrads are an integral part, able to find community and get the support they need, and where an understanding of both postgraduate and undergraduate issues is deeply embedded within everything we do. This starts with in-depth consultation and collaboration with postgrads, and regular community events.

Why are you running for this role?

Despite forming 36% of the student body, postgrads’ needs are poorly understood and neglected by the university and SU alike. I will represent and advocate effectively for postgrads, building meaningful and sustainable engagement and insight into the postgraduate experience.

The SU cannot adequately represent the needs and desires of its members without strong political leadership. I will reverse the erosion of student representatives’ power and influence, re-establish us (and not staff) as the decision-makers in our SU.

What, in your opinion, most needs changing at Warwick?

The SU no longer reflects students’ priorities, and it doesn’t support student representatives effectively. The policies and officers you vote for shouldn’t be side-lined in favour of the status quo, and senior staff and the board shouldn’t exert undue influence over what we campaign for. I’ll re-establish students at the heart of your SU. Just because officers have been elected, they shouldn’t stop listening to what you really need. I commit to listening to you before I speak for you.

What has been your favourite memory from your time at Warwick?

I remember when the SU was effective and represented the needs of students, a time before the erosion of our representatives’ power and influence over the past few years. It was far from perfect, but liberation students were able to trust that the officers would listen to their needs and support their campaigns. Democratic policies were consistently acted upon, students knew what officers were doing, and a wider variety of events could be offered because they were all well-attended.

Joshua Uduagbomen

My name is Joshua Uduagbomen, and I am running for postgraduate officer. I am from Nigeria, West Arica and I am currently a first year PhD student in the school of engineering. I also have a degree in physics and a master’s degree in microelectronics and communications engineering. I am a fun loving, out-going, ever-excited, and bright individual. I have always loved to deliver beyond expectations in every endeavor. I love music and football as well as seeing others happy. My previous study and experience as a student and student officer have prepared me to serve effectively as postgraduate officer.

Why are you running for this role?

I am running for the role of postgraduate officer for 2 reasons. Firstly, because I want to serve. And secondly, because postgrads deserve so much more. Postgrads deserve much better representation, and a better postgrad community. I want postgrads at to get the best out of their time at Warwick University and have an unparalleled student experience.

What, in your opinion, most needs changing at Warwick?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, most importantly, the support given to postgraduate student across Warwick University needs changing.

In times past, postgraduates have always been more likely to suffer from mental health related issues as a result of loneliness and stress, and we live in a time where lockdown restrictions have encouraged isolation and social distancing. But the fact that this is encouraged by the government as the right decision, does not make it a healthy decision.

What has been your favourite memory from your time at Warwick?

I joined Warwick University in the middle of a lockdown, but I have totally enjoyed and taken part in every opportunity to meet new friends, through the PGR socials, and the Global Connections Community live events where we would play games, share arts, craft and have fun tea talks.

Varsha Gupta

Candidate did not respond.

Jayesh Singh

Candidate did not respond.

Malay Soni and Fertola Kakuos

Candidate did not respond.

Disclaimer: candidates’ answers have not been edited. The opinions featured here do not reflect the opinions of The Boar.