Candidate for the position of Student Officers 2024/25

Image for Dipika Gokulnath

Dipika Gokulnath

Studying Master of Business Administration (with placement)

Why do you want to do this role?

My name is Dipika, currently pursuing my MBA and I am running to be your next Student Officer for the Student’s Union. I want to build a transparent representation system, that is visible to students, with a focus on making high-quality education and personal development a right, not a privilege.

I am currently also serving my term as the President of the UEL Indian Society as well as the Residential Life Scholar, where I help organise and implement various cultural festivals, educational and fun events, well-being focus groups and workshops. I also act as the main point of contact and the student voice and representative for all the students living at the halls of residence.

These two roles, made me realize how passionate I am to advocate for the student body. I understand the innate power of the student movement and understand the importance of a strong student union, to help create an impactful change.

Why should students vote for you?

An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises. Students at UEL deserve so much better than what they are currently getting. As your student officer I promise you that I will stand up for what we deserve, and make sure that our collective voices are heard.

My Record:
- Project Intern, for the Mayor’s Fund for London. One of the projects I worked on, was the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Programme, where I helped with the successful implementation of the project. I worked closely with many budding student entrepreneurs in London (who are now successful business owners) and helped support them.
- Worked as a Student Ambassador, Admissions and Enrolment Ambassador and International Peer Mentor for UEL Career Zone. All these roles are student based and involved actively helping students.
- Access and participation advisory Board as well as student events committee board member here at UEL, lending my opinion on various key issues and being the voice of the student body.

I have been approached by students to help them in various issues related to Academics, student groups not feeling represented, lack of awareness regarding VISA restrictions as well as Internal communication gaps with University departments. These are just some of the issues that I would like to advocate for and help students with.

What are your main priorities?

- Increased student safety on campus: Primary self-defense classes for everyone.
- Job Referral Board (Slack) and career accelerator network with unpublished referral leads and alumni tie-up for fostering professional networking and part-time jobs.
- Promoting Gender Equality, LGBTQ rights and Inclusion for everyone.
- Flexible support system for students who are carers.
- Free mental health services provided to all students, where we will reach out to everyone, instead of students having to reach out to us.
- Mandatory training provided to student societies, to help their management and event planning skills.
- Compulsory VISA information sessions for all international students to help bridge the glaring knowledge gap that exists. Tie up with other departments like the Legal Advice Centre to help provide free support.
- Cultural and International mixers