Satyan and Balram is a Masters student in Health Management. He is one of the candidates for Chair of the Student Council standing in the autumn leadership elections.
Q: What do you think are the top 3 qualities of a good Student Councillor?
A: Empathy, perseverance and being humble.
Q: Student Council is quite ignored by students. How do you plan to make it more relevant and known to them?
A: [I am running] an awareness campaign, with more open discussion forums, and doing walkabouts where councillors on a weekly basis would be encouraged to walk around campus and listen to views of students.
Q: What are your initiatives for the Student Council? How do you plan to hold the Students’ Union to account?
A: Firstly, we need to have a greater topicality and urgency on issues that students face. Secondly, [the Student Council] has to be a neutral body that will oversee that ideas and policies are properly and it needs to hold professional debates. And finally, the council needs to submit reports of current tasks and timeline of execution for upon coming tasks.
Q: What are your motivations to stand for election and how do you intend to represent the students studying at City, University of London?
A: I am always willing to serve for the betterment of others. As Mahatma Gandhi said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” I intend to raise all core issues affecting students at City in various forums and talks and let no issue be too small to be voiced.
Q: What course are you studying? How do you find it? Do you find it relevant and useful for the job that you want to have?
A: I am currently reading for a master in Health Management. It has been very rewarding and the modules are more than what I expected. The lecturers are great, willing to help, answer and resolve any doubt, it is just phenomenal. I want to run my own healthcare company in the future and this course is providing me with all the necessary tools and knowledge.
Q: What are your hobbies? Could you give students some tips so that they can balance learning with social life?
A: I love F1, 20/20 cricket and let’s not forget football. I would recommend students to prioritise what is the most important thing for them at the given moment and always think about the consequences and their future goals.
Q: Are you involved in any organisations within the university? If so, which is your role and which are your responsibilities?
A: I am also part of ESN City (Erasmus Students Network). I am an events officer and I help with organising social and charitable events.
Q: Why do you believe you are the best candidate to be Chair of the Student Council?
A: I always stand neutral ground, I tend to be impartial and only judge issues based on their merit and causes and how well it can be of benefit to students as a whole.