WUPA candidates

Position nominated: Women's Officer

Candidate statement: 

As a passionate advocate for women in research and academia, I am excited to nominate myself for the role of Women’s Officer at WUPA. My involvement in leadership initiatives such as the Activate Program and LIFT Program and my role as a Resident Ambassador have equipped me with the skills and experience to foster a supportive community. Additionally, as a proud member of the Women Research Engineers Network (WERN), I have actively contributed to initiatives that promote gender equity and empower women in STEM fields. If elected, I will focus on creating opportunities for women postgraduate students to connect, grow, and thrive. This includes organizing networking events, workshops, and mentorship programs addressing women's challenges in research and academia. I will also advocate for policies that enhance inclusivity, work-life balance, and professional development opportunities for women at UOW. 

Position nominated: President 

Candidate statement: 

Hello, my fellow postgraduate students!

I am a third-year PhD student who studies human brain, and I am excited to stand for the President position of WUPA council. As someone who has already served on this council, I have a practical knowledge of how it works and a strong desire to take on the challenge of leading us forward.

If elected, I want to address issues we are all facing at personal and professional levels. I plan to organize more industry networking events and expert-led practical skills workshops to bridge the gap between academic life and career prospects. Besides, I intend to continue organizing social events where all of us can come together and talk freely while having a cup of coffee and donuts. After each gathering, you will have a chance to provide your feedback so that we can improve future events.

Currently, I am serving as a student representative on several important committees, including the Research Integrity Committee, School of Science Safety Committee and SMAH Faculty Graduate Research Committee.

These roles have provided me with a clear understanding of how things work around here – what is going well and what needs fixing. Thus, if elected, I can jump straight into making positive changes without requiring weeks to figure everything out.

Outside of these roles, I have a passion for poetry, films, and horror stories. These interests help me think creatively about problems and communicate ideas in ways that connect with different people. Plus, they remind me that life is not just about studies, exams and deadlines!

Therefore, I bring practical experience and a strong belief that we all deserve support, not just during our studies, but in preparing for life beyond university. Let's work together to make our association a real advocate for our professional and personal wellbeing.  

Position nominated: International Student’s Officer  

Candidate statement: 

My name is Tilahun Dires AZMERAW. I am a PhD student at the School of Law, University of Wollongong. As an international student, I understand the challenges of navigating new academic, cultural, and social environments. I am committed to ensuring that every international student feels supported, empowered, and heard. I have over a decade of leadership experience at the university, national, regional, and international levels. I served as Executive Director of the University’s Administration and Students’ Affairs Directorate, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia (2020–2024), working closely with students and staff to enhance support systems and improve academic experiences. I was elected President of Debre Markos University Students Union and Chairman of the Ethiopian Higher Education Institutes Students’ Union (2014–2016). I later became East Africa Coordinator of the All-Africa Students Union, based in Accra, Ghana (2016–2021). These roles allowed me to represent the student community, sharpening my ability to advocate for diverse communities. If elected as International Students’ Officer, among other things, I will: Ø Advocate for inclusive policies that address the unique needs of international students. Ø Strengthening wellbeing and support services to make our university experience more fulfilling. Ø Create platforms for cultural exchange, networking, and student empowerment. Ø Amplify international student voices in UOW and WUPA decision-making processes. International students enrich the University of Wollongong with diversity, resilience, and global perspectives. With your support, I will dedicate my experience and passion to ensuring our voices are stronger, our rights are protected, and our community is more connected. Tilahun Dires AZMERAW Candidate for International Students’ Officer – WUPA Council 

Position nominated: Women’s Officer  

Candidate statement: 

As an undergraduate student I spent a term and a half in the position of WUSA Women’s Officer and my engagement with the UOW Women’s Collective/Space has encouraged me to run for WUPA Women’s Officer as a postgraduate student. I am passionate about bringing together the student associations to build a strong foundation for the Women’s Collective so that it can have a thriving future. I want the Women’s Collective to become an advocacy group for women both on campus and beyond. Spending a lot of time and energy in the management of the Women’s Space on campus has lead me to have a fond care for it and a desire to see it become more well known and used by students. I helped to develop the culture of inclusivity within the space to ensure that non-binary and trans students also felt safe within the space. My ethics are focused on inclusivity and safety. I care about ensuring that women have a space where they can feel safe and find connection with other women. I believe that non-binary individuals and transwomen should feel welcome and safe within a women’s community as well. I care about building skills for women to develop a strong voice for self-advocacy as well as connecting them into support services. Creating an inclusive space for people with disability is also incredibly important to me. My aim as WUPA Women’s Officer would be about creating a community that is inclusive, safe, and focused on uplifting and connecting women and gender diverse individuals.  

Position nominated: Vice-President (Coursework), Media Officer

Candidate statement: 

Hello WUPA Council, My name is Thi Thu Thao Dang, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and Project Management at the University of Wollongong. Over the past term, I have had the privilege of serving in WUPA and working closely with fellow students and council members. This experience has deepened my commitment to supporting international students and strengthened my ability to represent their voices effectively. During my term, I have contributed to organising events, supporting student workshops, and collaborating with other societies. These experiences have given me valuable insights into the diverse needs of our international community and the importance of building bridges between students, the university, and wider networks.

For the upcoming term, I would like to continue this journey by focusing on three priorities:

• Expanding support services so that international students can access not only academic and career resources, but also wellbeing and peer-to-peer support.

• Strengthening cultural exchange and networking opportunities through events that connect students from different backgrounds and foster meaningful friendships.

• Amplifying student voices to ensure international students feel genuinely heard, valued, and empowered in our university community.

I believe my past contributions, combined with my skills in project management, event coordination, and student engagement, have prepared me well to take on this role again with even greater dedication. I am excited to continue making a positive impact within WUPA, and I would be honoured to have your support for the next term. Thank you! Thi Thu Thao Dang 

Position nominated: President, Vice-President (Coursework), Vice-President (Research)

Candidate statement: No candidate statement provided

No portrait provided.

Position nominated: Media Officer  

Candidate statement: 

I am pleased to nominate myself for the position of Media Officer at WUPA. As a postgraduate student at UOW, I am committed to strengthening communication within our community and ensuring that the voices of postgraduate students are represented. I am an active user of social media platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn, and I understand how important they are in connecting people and sharing information. I believe WUPA’s media channels can become more engaging, dynamic, and interactive. If elected, I will work to upgrade and maintain WUPA’s social media presence so that it reflects the energy, achievements, and diversity of our postgraduate community. In my academic and professional journey, I have developed strong communication and organizational skills, which will support me in delivering clear, accessible, and consistent content. I would like to use WUPA’s platforms not only to share important updates but also to highlight student achievements, promote events, and build a stronger sense of belonging among postgraduate students. If given the opportunity to serve as Media Officer, I will work hard to make WUPA’s media channels an active and reliable source of information, connection, and community spirit. 

Position nominated: President, Vice-President (Coursework), Secretary-Treasurer, International Students' Officer 

Candidate statement: 

As a postgraduate student, I understand the unique challenges we face such as navigating career transitions, managing financial pressures, and building professional networks.

My commitment to you:

Career Support: Expand industry networking sessions and advocate for PG-specific career fairs and internship programs that match our experience level.

Community Building: Foster stronger connections between campuses and create inclusive events that welcome both domestic and international students.

Transparency & Communication: Improve event promotion and establish regular feedback channels so your voice shapes WUPA's direction.

Practical Support: Organise HECS/HELP awareness sessions and explore mentorship programs connecting students with faculty.

Well-being Focus: Partner with WUSA for larger social events while maintaining our postgraduate identity and needs.

I won't promise overnight changes or unrealistic outcomes. Instead, I'll work systematically with university administration, listen to your feedback, and focus on achievable improvements that make a real difference in your postgraduate experience.

Your vote means choosing practical progress over empty promises. Together, we can make WUPA more responsive, inclusive, and valuable for every postgraduate student.  

Position nominated: Vice President (Research), International Student’s Officer

Candidate statement: 

Hello, I’m Muhammad Sarwar, a postgraduate student at the University of Wollongong, and I am excited to contest for the positions of Vice President (Research) and International Students’ Officer of WUPA. Throughout my academic journey, I have been deeply committed to student representation and advocacy. During my Master’s at Xiamen University, China, I served as a student representative, where I worked closely with fellow international students to improve both academic and cultural experiences. Here at UOW, I recently completed my role as a Postgraduate Student Member of the Academic Senate, contributing to policy discussions and ensuring that postgraduate students’ perspectives are actively considered in university decision-making. If elected, I aim to strengthen research support, create more opportunities for collaboration, and champion initiatives that support the welfare and inclusion of international students. I am passionate about fostering a postgraduate community that is inclusive, empowering, and responsive to the diverse needs of all students. I look forward to working with you to make your voice heard and our postgraduate experience stronger. 

Position nominated: Vice-president (Research)  

Candidate statement: 

I am a PhD candidate in Computer Science at UOW researching privacy in mHealth, with publications on security and privacy in health information systems and user-centred privacy models. I teach across cryptography, AI and cybersecurity, data management, and databases, and I supervise assessments and exams—experience that keeps me close to HDR needs across disciplines. My industry experience includes information security analysis at Cultural Infusion, where I led remediation that cut resolution times by 30%, aligned with ISO 27001 and NIST CSF, and improved third-party assurance under GDPR. These projects demanded clear communication with IT, Legal, Procurement, and executives—skills directly relevant to representing HDRs and negotiating with the University. I also contribute to inclusion and leadership through UOW WiSTEM and TheWRENGlobal, working with peers to mentor, share opportunities, and surface barriers faced by women and under-represented researchers. These roles inform my approach to fair processes and practical support.

If elected Vice-President (Research), I will deliver four priorities:

1. Research training and supervision quality: a semester program on scoping, methods, ethics, data management, reproducibility, and milestones—co-designed with HDRs and the Graduate Research School.

2. Funding and progression: guidance on scholarships, small grants, publication costs, and timely milestone feedback; monthly “Milestone Clinics” pairing peers with experienced reviewers.

3. Wellbeing and equity: predictable communication standards for supervisors and schools; targeted support for international students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDRs; referral pathways for conflict resolution.

4. Career development: publishing and peer-review workshops, research communication coaching, and safe pathways to industry collaboration. These goals align with shared WUPA aims—fair processes, strong representation, and an inclusive research culture.

As VP (Research), I will coordinate the Association’s work, liaise with the University, and chair meetings in the President’s absence—ensuring HDR voices shape every decision that affects our research and our futures 

Position nominated:  International Students’ Officer

Candidate statement: 

As an international student myself, I know what it feels like to arrive in a new country, excited but also a little overwhelmed. That’s why I want to be your WUPA International Student Officer. I want to help make sure every international student feel welcomed, supported, and part of a community that truly understands them. Whether it’s through events, advocacy, or simply being someone, you can reach out to, I want to make sure your voice is heard. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that our diverse backgrounds are not just acknowledged but celebrated. 

Position nominated: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President (Research), International Students' Officer, Women’s Officer 

Candidate statement: 

I'm Yuqian, a PhD student from EIS, running for a seat on the WUPA council. I am passionate about student inclusion and engagement, and I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to promoting student wellbeing and fostering community within our university. As President of the Symphony Orchestra during my undergraduate years, I coordinated a 50-member ensemble, managing rehearsals, venues, budgets, and community partnerships. I introduced a structured rehearsal pipeline, launched a mentoring program for future leaders, and implemented transparent budgeting that kept projects on time and within budget. This experience equipped me with strong organizational skills and understanding of what it takes to bring diverse groups together. My Vision for WUPA If elected, I will advocate for students while cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.

Building on Tradition: WUPA has many signature events like career talks, movie nights, and end-of-year celebrations that students love. I'm committed to preserving these cherished traditions while injecting fresh energy and new elements.

Innovative Programming: I want to introduce exciting new initiatives such as cultural festivals and interactive seminars. These events will create platforms for students from different backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and celebrate the richness of our cultural diversity.

Stronger Community: Most importantly, I believe these activities will help us find greater belonging and integration within our campus community. When we come together to learn from one another and celebrate our differences, we build the kind of inclusive environment where every postgraduate student can thrive.

I'm ready to utilize my organizing experience and passion for student advocacy to make WUPA an even stronger voice for our community. Together, we can create meaningful change and lasting connections.