Election: Leadership Race - Spring 2021
Category: Sabbatical Officer
Results:
| Date count run | 19 Mar 2021 |
|---|---|
| Election rules | ERS97 STV |
| Candidates running | 5 |
| Available position | 1 |
| Total ballots | 2925 |
| Valid votes | 2925 |
| Invalid votes | 0 |
Count
| Round | Matthew Hancock | Hao Zhang | Melissa Mahmud | Viktoria Makai | RON (Re-Open Nominations) | Exhausted | Surplus | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 339.00 | 789.00 | 745.00 | 1006.00 | 46.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1462.50 |
| 2 | 832.00 | 826.00 | 1101.00 | 166.00 | 0.00 | 1379.50 | ||
| 3 | 1028.00 | 1374.00 | 523.00 | 173.00 | 1201.00 |
All losing candidates are eliminated.Count after substage 1 of 2 of eliminating Matthew Hancock and RON (Re-Open Nominations). Transferred votes with value 1.00. Since no candidate has been elected, the quota is reduced to 1379.50. No candidates have surplus votes so candidates will be eliminated and their votes transferred for the next round.
Count after substage 2 of 2 of eliminating Melissa Mahmud. Transferred votes with value 1.00. Since no candidate has been elected, the quota is reduced to 1201.00. Candidate Viktoria Makai has reached the threshold and is elected.
Winner is Viktoria Makai.
Viktoria Makai
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
• Increase financial support available to PG taught and research students.
• Implement the same no-detriment policy from 2019/2020 for all academic years affected by Covid-19.
• Refund students for the reduced learning experience during the pandemic.
• Scrap application fees for PG programmes.
• Retain the benefits of online learning, such as the flexibility of lectures and digital access to all library resources post-pandemic.
• Provide childcare support to encourage the participation of students with caring responsibilities.
• Provide more publishing opportunities for MA students.
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
During my six years at UCL, I contributed to enhancing the student experience in a variety of roles:
• PG Faculty rep for CPA, 2020-21
Successfully fought for more synchronous learning opportunities for PG taught programmes by regularly liaising with the leadership team following student feedback.
• CEL Ambassador 2020
Represented mature students with caring responsibilities by suggesting curriculum alterations for inclusion.
• Academic Rep 2015-2021
Fought to improve student experience at my respective departments.
• Resident Advisor, UOL 2017-2021
Provided pastoral care for students.
Anything else?
I will never shy away from forwarding your harsh, honest feedback when it is necessary to improve our learning experience, even when it opposes the opinion of the leadership team.
I will make sure that our interests are not pushed to the side and concrete promises are made and followed through.
Hao Zhang
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Hi! I am Hao Zhang and I am running for Postgraduate Officer. I am currently a Master student of Urban Design in Bartlett. I am dedicated to help my fellow students. As a Faculty Student Representative and a Teaching Assistant, I have built deep understandings of students’ concerns and difficulties in this very challenging time. I would be the best person to raise students’ voice to the University and strive for response and action.
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
There are important and necessary actions the University needs to take to ensure every postgraduate is fully supported. Specifically:
• Tangible compensation to postgraduate students (particularly international students) for the compromised education caused by COVID-19
• Effective and timely guidance on career and continuous studies to comply with the latest government policies and succeed in the latest job market
• More in-person educational activities in safe settings
• More communication and connection between students and Faculties
Anything else?
We, postgraduate students will never compromise to the new normal. We want to keep hope, and enjoy our very best of UCL lives. We all deserve the very best for our future and our next Chapters.
Melissa Mahmud
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I want to present and promote your views and interests as postgraduate students and if elected, I will:
-campaign for a fair and reasonable admission fee and reduce extra course/activity fees, ie: language learning courses
-campaign for better pay and benefits, for students who teach, including more funding opportunities for all postgraduate taught/research students
-career events and welfare activities tailored for PG and international students
-create the postgraduate ‘society’/ network that emphasise on PG students whilst encouraging UG students to join UCL postgraduate studies
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
This year has been a roller-coaster ride for many, and even though there were attempts to tackle issues to improve postgraduate studies, there are still some concerns within the postgraduate departments. I want to ensure that your experience at UCL as a postgraduate student is not undermined. As a current MA German student who has experience being a Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) rep and a mentor during my undergraduates, as well as being the Arts&Humanities Faculty and course rep for MA taught students at UCL, I am principled, experienced and committed to working for you.
Anything else?
These goals are important to me because as a faculty and course rep I had various comments and feedbacks about these issues and they are still present at UCL, they affect both, international and home PG students. So, vote for me and let's create a better learning environment for all PG students.
Matthew Hancock
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
1. Ensure the Covid recovery plan /restructure is investment led and not just about staff cuts, also to hold the provost to account on investing in the student experience
2. Work with the Provosts identify ways to improve organisation to improve the improve experience
3. Improve pot graduate improve funding and work opportunities for Master’s students and Research students also improve PGTA pay
4. Work with student services to identify any extra support can be given to improve the London living experience.
5. Improve post grad events and participation by working with other sabs.
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Before returning to UCL to study for my PhD I gained skills in project management while one project I managed was setting up the Metro Newspaper Picture Desk. More recently I have worked on heritage projects that involved fund raising prior to any restoration. More importantly I have guided media and museum departments through periods of change. As we are entering a period of change from the pandemic and the new Provost has committed to investing in the student experience it is essential for the postgraduate officer to have the skills to ensure the change is for the benefit of students.
Anything else?
I have had to battle with my hidden learning disability throughout my career this means that I am a problem solver by nature this proven as I am an Engineering student, having had experienced many of life up and downs I am sympathetic and capable of providing solutions for post grads.