He karere nā te Tumuaki (AUSA)
A message from Alan Shaker
Kia ora koutou katoa,
My name is Alan Shaker. I am in my fifth (and hopefully final) year of my Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science degree majoring in History, Politics and International Relations, and Exercise Sciences. Next year I intend to train to become a secondary school teacher and give back to my wonderful community. I am also delighted to have been re-elected as the AUSA President for 2024 and I look forward to continuing the awesome progress we have made over the last few years.
This year I had the utmost privilege of serving you as the President of the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA) and your student body president for 2023. And what a year it has been! Words really can’t describe how much of an honour it was to be leading this wonderful organisation.
When I started my University journey I never thought I would be part of the Student Association, let alone leading it. I came into this role inspired significantly by some great leaders before me, and I felt I had a responsibility to ensure our students continued to be represented and advocated for as best as we possibly could. Honestly speaking, the learning and growth I have had at my time at AUSA has been immense and I think I will remember these experiences for a very long time.
I came into this role inspired significantly by some great leaders before me, and I felt I had a responsibility to ensure our students continued to be represented and advocated for as best as we possibly could.
2023 for AUSA looked like:
- Giving out almost $40,000 worth of hardship grants directly to students going through financial hardship
- Working closely with our Clubs through our themed weeks across the year (Environmental Week, Pride Week, Sports Week, International Week, Suffrage Week and Politics Week). We worked with clubs such as AUPISA, Rainbow Business, PILSA, Film Society, SHAKTI, Public Policy Club, Ngā Tauira Māori and more!
- Working with the Postgraduate Students’ Association through our newly formed MoU and working towards a more aligned relationship
- Working with the Commonwealth Students Association to host a student delegation from Papua New Guinea. Meeting with student leaders from PNG and exploring the UoA/Auckland with them
- Being part of the national campaign led by NZUSA, titled ‘No More Excuses’, targeting political parties to put student issues at the forefront of their policies in this general election campaign
- Attending the NZUSA National Conference
- Providing feedback on the Misconduct Statute
- Playing an integral role in the implementation of the Curriculum Framework Transformation by sitting on many working groups, governance groups and the steering committee
- Advocating for sexual health to be included in the insurance of International Students
- Taking part in the review of Graduation Ceremonies
- Period Poverty campaign
- National Free Fares campaign with the other student associations across the country
- Supporting UBIQ and Shadows Bar through their business transformations
- Hosting ALFRED’S (a street party on Alfred Street during O-Week)
- Compiling a handbook for sexual assault survivors outlining the support and resources available
- Helping to implement the Pastoral Code by being a NZQA ‘Code Champion’ and helping students understand the Code
- Hosting Study Wananga for students during exam season
- Playing a leading role in the development of a new Student Voice framework and Policy/Guidelines
- Quarterly meetings with the Vice-Chancellor and University Executive Committee
- And so much more!
Over my three years of involvement at AUSA, I have seen enormous change and growth. We’ve created a Student Council to be more representative. We have an established Advisory Board to help with long-term strategic and the governance of the association. There is now a much more stable, efficient and representative organisation that also has a truly meaningful partnership with the University centered on mutual trust and a shared purpose. Next year will be a crucial year for students and AUSA. With the Student Voice Policy coming into action, Curriculum Framework Transformation continuing to take off, AUSA entering a new funding agreement, and more students back on campus post-COVID – it is crucial that we continue the great work we have done and continue to have a strong and coherent student voice. That is why I have decided to run again as the AUSA President in 2024 – to see out these amazing changes and initiatives.
A massive thank you to the Campus Life team, particularly Anne-Marie Parsons and Louise Jackson for your unwavering support of AUSA. Thank you to the Vice-Chancellor, Dawn Freshwater, and her entire leadership team, for the commitment to working in partnership with AUSA and students. We may not see eye-to-eye with the University all the time, but we truly do value the partnership we have built over the years. I cannot finish without thanking my wonderful AUSA team. To the Executive – Amol, Varsha, Folau, Qun, Kauri, Atakura, Te Tuhi, David, Mahek, Theo, Layba, Kelly. And to the Staff – David, Aaron, Temi, Mauricio, Celia, Amy, Sharon, Nick, and Blake. Thank you for being the most amazing people to work with. You truly make this place special and make it a joy coming into the office every day!
I hope 2023 has been a blast for you all. Bring on 2024!
Your student prez,
Alan
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