Candidate: Elson Tan

No matter where you came from, we all came here to study, get our degree, and move on. But here’s the thing: we also came here to grow as a family, and that ain’t possible without a proper representation of the community. This includes connecting the student body with the lecturers, researchers, and authority figures of the University of Auckland. My name is Elson Tan, and I am honoured to be running for Student Representative.

As possibly the only first year student to run for Student Representative and the only first year student to aim for the AUSA Presidency, I’ve made my statement clear previously and I will do so again: I am running to help people and I want to make UoA a better place. As a student representative,

I will:       

• Work with teachers, lecturers, tutors etc. to ensure that their teaching and research can easily pass onto their students. Sometimes, not all students can understand the current lecture styles and struggle to do so, so I am going to tackle that head on.      
• Obtain greater insight from the student body and use it to push for positive change within UoA’s academic environment and social environment.     
• Reflect the diversity of the community being served by allowing more inclusive spaces, initiatives, etc. within classes.

I have experience in volunteer work with Kyoto University of Advanced Science, helping run lab groups and plan events. In addition, I have also worked with Hong Kong Adventist Academy’s yearbook team as one of its leaders, being called “the yearbook club’s most diligent and dedicated worker” by the editor in chief and the teacher sponsor as well, right after Hong Kong schools had just come out of the pandemic. These experiences both cultivated my work ethic and management skills and turned me into what you want from a student rep: a non-stop worker who will work to the best of his ability with the aim of ensuring students get the proper education they need, with no stress, no bullying and absolutely no letdowns. I don’t think anyone could devote enough time to get to the 100% point of this mission, but I am willing to re-structure my own courseload and even cease to hang out with some people to guarantee commitment to my Student Representative job.