Ahead of next week’s Leeds University Union leadership race, we chatted to Equality and Diversity candidate Noha Abu El Magd about how her campaign is going so far….
1- Why have you decided to run for Equality and Diversity Officer in this year’s leadership race?
I’ve thought about doing it since I found out about the role. It’s something I’m really passionate about and something that is very close to my heart. I was a bit worried about how I would be able to manage work and campaigning this year but ultimately decided that it was quite literally now or never. In order to see the changes I wanted to see I would have to step up to the challenge and run, and I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I could do the job. I also feel like I owe something to the union for truly making me love my time at Leeds, this is my way of giving back.
2- How is campaigning going so far?
Campaigning is going really well. The campaign is kind of a full-time job and it can get really stressful especially with work and my other society commitments. I had a full on emotional break-down the other day haha. I’m very grateful for my campaign team who are the kindest and most hard-working people I’ve ever had the pleasure of calling my friends. We’ve just finished filming the campaign video which should be out soon! I’m really excited about that because a lot of hard work went into it, and campaign aside, I got to make some really great memories that I can look back on and smile when I’m old and grey.
3- What is it like balancing it with your studies?
It’s quite difficult because I’m in third year now and I’m doing my dissertation so I have to spend a lot of time in the lab. I would say it takes a lot of planning and time keeping, and little sleep. My course mates have really great though, as have my tutors and demonstrators. I get most of my work done on the weekend and late at night on weekdays, when I sneak a break from campaigning to do some work.
4- Tell us a bit about yourself – what do you study, what societies or activities are you involved in?
I’m a final year BSc Nanotechnology student. I’m 19 years old. I’m currently treasurer of Lippy No Gloss magazine and last year I was Arts and Culture editor and then Social Secretary. I’m very involved with cultural and media societies. I was also a production assistant for the Rag Fashion Show this year. I’m one of those people who live in the hidden café and go to everything the union puts on. My campaigning experience includes my involvement with media societies, whereby we are constantly campaigning to raise awareness about certain issues, Leeds friends of Syria, amnesty, LUU time to change. I am also involved in charity work with RAG, Leeds with the Homeless, and Leeds Fiends of Syria. I speak Arabic, and have lived in four different countries throughout my lifetime. I also love to write and I’m currently in the process of writing my first science fiction/fantasy novel. I have a terrible cake addiction and can’t sing to save my life. Tina Fey is my idol.
5- What would you bring to the role if you got it? What are the main points of your manifesto?
If I got the role, I would bring experience and unique perspective on sensitive issues from my experience, drive, professionalism, and a vision for real change. The main thing I hope to introduce if elected is liberation officers into the union. The reason I believe this is so important is because; everything that an equality and diversity officer can hope to achieve is made feasible through the existence of liberation officers. Liberation officers widen access and representation and give control back to students to raise the issues and make the changes they care about. A liberation officer is similar to an activities/hall rep, and would be answerable to and hold to account the Equality and Diversity officer. Liberation campaigns include, but are not limited to, Women’s officers, LGBT officers, BME officers and disability officers. The union does not currently have these roles available, and they currently fall under the role of equality and diversity officer. The NUS have it, as do many other unions across the UK, as one of the best Unions in the country I don’t see why we shouldn’t have them. Creating the role of liberation officers and autonomous associations of students to support their efforts is a step towards real change. Other things I hope to introduce are a Postgraduate and Mature students association, to provide support and representation for students on academic, social and welfare issues relevant to them. I want to introduce sensitivity training for personal tutors, counselling professionals and union staff on matters of religion, culture, BME, disability and mental health. I also want to introduce reward schemes for societies which operate equality and diversity schemes, such as union ratings, awards and prizes to encourage societies to appeal to a wider demographic of students.
6- Finally, why should we vote for you?
You should vote for me because I’m the best candidate for the job. I have the vision to create withstanding change for the better and tackle the issues that really matter. I have no political affiliation which grants me neutrality in my decision making and policy enforcement. There are several points on my manifesto that make me stand out as a candidate. I’m the only person talking about liberation officers and creating incentives for more inclusivity and wider representation. I also want to tackle issues that will have an impact on students’ lives even after they’ve graduated, like the postgraduate and mature students association and tackling the gender gap in academia.
For more information on Noha’s campaign, visit www.facebook.com/get2noha
Rosanna Pound-Woods