By Youssef Bashir

During Candidate Development Week, which is the week prior to Voting Week, candidates are briefed on the rules of the elections and campaigning. In that same period this year, willing candidates were interviewed on their policies, reasons for running for their according role, and what change they would hope to bring about to the university should they be elected. 

When it comes to the roles of Student Union President and Student Trustees, they each have a contrasting, yet in some ways similar, responsibility to represent the entire student body. While the S.U. President is the figurehead of all students during their given term, even representing our very own MDXSU at a national level, the Student Trustees also represent the student body, albeit on a part-time basis, specifically in face of the Trustee Board that oversees the student union during their meetings.

Of the four candidates running for the leading position of S.U. President, as opposed to what one would expect, only one willingly gave the time to be interviewed. Mihita Parekh is a third-year studying Business Management (Finance), and former Education Officer of the 2024/2025 academic term. Now running once more, albeit for the position of S.U. President this time around, the first question posed to her aimed to know her reasoning for rejoining the race.

“I want to make sure there is a strong student voice in this university, that there are opportunities for students to raise their voice wherever necessary, and that any decisions made are student-centred, as per the Middlesex University 2031 Strategy,” Mihita shared, explaining how this passion to see student voices respected encouraged her to want to lead in a similar role as she had before.

When asked about her policies and goals this time around, she mentioned: “To open up more opportunities for students, not just university-wise, but also nationally and globally. To have reduced waiting times in the MDX Counselling and Wellbeing Services, as well as get an on-campus therapist. Thirdly would be a focus on employability — more personalised and tailored support, not just for part-time jobs, but full-time, graduate jobs as well.”

When asked why students should vote for her, boasting some very relevant prior experience, Mihita opted to speak on her history of reliability, mentioning what she has previously promised and delivered: “I would say that I have a proven track record of turning student feedback into real actions and campaigns — getting stuff done. I have secured funding for free period products on our campus and launched many cost-of-living support initiatives. I have represented Middlesex students at the university level, but also at a national level, where I contributed to the Parliament APPG meetings in collaboration with NUS on the student renter’s rights bill. I would say if you want a leadership that already knows how to win change, vote for experience that delivers.”

In terms of the Student Trustees, two of the current candidates that were interviewed for the two electable positions are Little Panwar, a second-year studying Business Management, and Youseline Dufrene, a second-year studying Biomedical Science.

Considering this position is a part-time one that would go alongside the elected candidates’ studies, essentially centring on their presence at the board meetings that happen twice a term, the candidates were asked about their beliefs on the level of importance of this role, as well as their reasons for choosing to run for it. 

“I like holding people accountable for their actions,” Youseline concisely shared, adding very confidently “I think this position is sometimes overlooked, but as soon as I’m in, it will not be.”

Little chose to elaborate on his own goals: “I’m currently a Student Voice Leader and I think this is a key way for me to enter into the union, as well as deliver my best to the students.”

When asked on things they would like to push or advocate for, and why students should vote for them, they shared the following.

“I’d be mainly focused on seeing how they manage their finances and whether the board’s strategies are good or not for students,” shared Little, taking what would be a more defensive approach.

“I want to petition to create a software accessible via a QR code that’s all around campus, where students can raise their concerns and track what’s being done to address them,” proposed Youseline, a contrastingly offensive approach, true to her earlier claim of wanting to hold those in power to account.

Whether you plan to vote for Mihita or any other candidate for S.U. President (namely, Amit Kumar, Coco Simon, and Vishal Netar), as well as Little, Youseline, or another candidate for Student Trustee (namely, Patricia Mata, and Queenesther Chibugo Nwanya) make sure to get your vote in before the new deadline at 8pm on Wednesday, the 11^th of March.