Hi, I am Fayaz Abdul Kareem an Urban Planning student and was the Vice President Community and Welfare of the Students’ Union during the academic year 2023-2024. As I run for the President of The Students’ Union for the next academic year, I aim to address not only the general needs of our diverse student community, but also specific challenges faced by international students.  

WHAT I DID AS VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNITY & WELFARE 2023-2024:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival
• Worked on housing concerns with the National Union of Students (NUS)
• Worked with UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) on International Student issues
• Exam D-Stress Campaign
• Hosted UWE Buzz Podcast
• Worked on Bower Travel & Safety
• Smoke Free Spaces Campaign
• Student Wellbeing Champion

 MY PRIORITIES AS THE PRESIDENT WILL INCLUDE:

1. Student Wellbeing:

• Diversified wellbeing services at the same time as bringing in more external services.
• Lobby for neurodiversity-trained counsellors, peer support networks, and specially tailored mental health interventions.
• Organize regular walk-in sessions on self-care, mindfulness, and stress management.

2. Academic & Career Excellence:

• Collaborate with faculty to create resources and workshops to assist international students in adapting to the academic environment.
• Continue lobbying for fairer assessment policies and more flexible deadlines.
• Lobby to bring in Non-Academic credit system where non-academics credits are given to students based on their involvement in non-academic activities such as Student Ambassadors, Society and Sports Club Committees, PAL Leaders etc.
• Establish mentorship programs to assist students in their academic journey.
• Lobby for fair internship and job placement opportunities for students, so students graduate as skilled workers and foster connections with industry professionals through networking.

 3.  Housing Support:

• Work with the Bristol City Council and local housing providers to ensure affordable and safe accommodation options for both home and international students.
• Lobby the university to create more affordable accommodation that is affordable for the working class and not Luxurious accommodations.

4. Transportation Solutions:

• Work with University, Bristol City Council, First Bus and WECA to provide students with more affordable day and monthly passes taking Cost-of-Living in consideration.

5. Student Employment Opportunities:

• Develop collaborations with local businesses to offer part-time employment to students and hold part-time job fairs at the beginning of the academic year

6. Other Campaigns:

• Lobby the University to work with The Students’ Union to provide affordable meals on campus taking in Cost-of-Living crisis into consideration.
• Work with the National Union of Students- (NUS), UKCISA and APPG to Lobby the government to invest more in HE, Increase the maintenance loan for home students and ease the life of International Students.
• Promote more green endeavours such as extra recycling containers and reduced campus waste
• Organise a “UWE Day” where we celebrate all cultures and diversities. 

I truly believe in the student rights and think that universities should be where everyone belongs, supported, and listened to. If I am elected, I will lead with integrity, transparency, and a genuine desire to make UWE a better place for all of us. I am friendly, dedicated, and ready to make real changes that matter to you. My goal is to create a strong support system, a welcoming community, and a Students’ Union that truly listens and acts. Together, we can make UWE a place where every student feels valued and empowered.