I am from Afghanistan, where I experienced discrimination on a tremendous scale. I grew up in an unequal society where being a woman is the hardest challenge, and there is no right to live if you identify with LGBTQ+ communities. I fought for education in the Taliban regime by start going to secret classes. Therefore, I understand the importance of equality of opportunity for all.
I want to improve student wellbeing by reducing the waiting time for counselling and other mental health services, increase prayer spaces, hold cultural and festive celebrations on campus to promote integration and inclusivity and create study space facilities for students who have carer responsibilities and especially for single mothers or fathers.
- Promote greater integration of religious and ethnic groups at UCL.
-
I will do this holding cultural and festive celebrations on campus to promote integration and inclusivity.
I will also work to make sure that UCL's facilities are accommodating for all groups, e.g. by increasing the number of prayer rooms available for Muslim students.
30/11: Met the Provost and discussed the importance of the cultural events for more students engagement and Integration. The marketing and event management team are working on the Winter Festival and other upcoming cultural celebrations in next year such as Chinese New Year.
24/02:
- £48.000 was approved for prayer spaces at the central Estates Strategy Board.
- Events so far celebrated : Winter Arts festival, Lunar New Year and Central Asia festival is coming soon at the end of March.
31/05: I have organized the following events. Black history month, LGTBQ history month, Women's history month "girls night in" events (around 10 events had been organised during women's history month). Also, Winter Arts festival, International festival, Lunar New Year, Navroz (the Central Asian festival that had huge community engagement) were the events I have organised to promote greater integration among different religious and ethnic group. We secured funding for prayer facilities and also secured funding for free Iftar during Ramadan month. Working on the final big event of year to celebrate big Eid with societies and communities at UCL.
ONGOING
- Develop greater support for student mental health.
-
I aim to improve student wellbeing by reducing the waiting time for counselling and other mental health services. I want to urge UCL to invest more in our wellbeing centre so that students are able to get the help they need quicker.
30/11: Working on mental health charter report with UCL. Meeting regularly with Student Psychological and Counselling services at UCL to hear updates from them and give feedback from students.
31/05: Working on student mental health charter and making the mental health services more accessible and inclusive for all students. Discussed the intersectionality of the counselling services with the Provost.
ONGOING
- Make access to education more equitable in UCL.
-
I will do this by providing childcare support to encourage the participation of students with caring responsibilities.
30/11: Working with EDI steering group to provide equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups, such as offering internship and trainings.
31/05: Currently reviewing existing services and policies and identifying what is lacking and produce and policy research about BAME award gap. Also working with UCL career extract program to promote the internship opportunities among BME students'.
ONGOING
- Support Liberation Officers
-
I will try to make sure to have regular meetings and discussions with all liberation officers to provide advice and support to me meet their priorities.
30/11: Working with UCL EDI team on student-led campaigns. Working with Equity and Inclusion Unit at the SU on support for our liberation officers in their role and working on their priorities. Working with SSW to create BME social network, organised BHM, working with BME officers to organise secure funds to address the BME award gap.
24/02: supported BME Student Officers with Black History Month, helping LGBQ+ Student Officer with Stonewall campaign and organising meeting with UMC to discuss students' concern related to Stonewall and making sure UCL provides greater support for the LGBTQ+ community, helping Women's Officers with their project like organising International Women's day etc.
31/05: LGBTQ+ Officer supported to organise the LGTBQ history month also supported in organizing open meeting with Provost, Women's Officers supported with their events and projects in Women's history month, BME Students' Officers supported with their events and projects.
ONGOING
- Improve Report and Support System
-
Work with EDI to improve the reporting system.
30/11: Currently working with UCL to improve and streamline reporting mechanisms. The EDI team have produced a report on Report and Support and how to improve it.
31/05: Planning to organize a recorded session to talk about how to report harmful behaviour and get supported. We will use the recorded session in our social media and web to promote R+S system.
ONGOING
- Provide sports facilities for disabled students
-
I will continue working with UCL StEC to secure more funding.
30/11: The SU received a £10,000 grant to support disabled students in sport. The Disability Sport and Physical Activity initiative looks to provide suitable opportunities for disabled students to be active and has been really successful so far. ONGOING