After a year as your VP Education, Sharanya Sivarajah is back and ready to lead the Students' Union for 2024/25.
Sharanya Sivarajah
President
Hi! I’m Sharanya, your SU President 2024/25 and I’m so excited to work alongside my fellow Sabbatical Officer team to ensure your experience at Royal Holloway is the best it can be!
About me
Here are some quick facts, so you can get to know me better.
- I graduated from Royal Holloway in 2023 with a BSc in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
- I was successfully elected as your 2023/24 VP Education and represented your academic interests for a year.
- I’m a massive gym rat, specifically into strength-based training.
Why I ran for SU President
I initially ran for VP Education for 2023/24 as I’m passionate about higher education and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to access it. The 2024 Leadership Elections rolled around and I felt I had another year to give so I ran again but this time to be SU President! And thankfully, you all elected me to represent you for one more year. ❤
Aims/Manifesto
STUDENT SAFETY
- Lobby the University and the Students’ Union to adopt a harm reduction approach towards drug and alcohol abuse.
- Implement mandatory sexual health and consent education, as well as EDI training for students and staff.
- Ensure SU Security have refresher training in cultural competency.
- Campaign to open back gate and improve lighting on campus and in the Egham and Englefield Area.
CELEBRATING STUDENTS
- Implement a points-based rewards scheme that recognises our student groups' achievements throughout the year. The scheme will lead to prizes such as extra funding for the student group, free Summer Ball tickets or vouchers for Tesco or Lidl.
- Celebrate diversity on campus by holding a #OneWorldWeek to encourage students to wear cultural clothing across campus and hold a showcase where students perform, eat and learn about other cultures.
CAMPUS FACILITIES
- Lobby for better facility allocation for student groups and explore alternative facilities for our students in the local area (off-campus sports and our gym).
- Create a Commuters Hub – a common room where commuting students can go during the day.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
- Launch a policy inquiry into the international student and commuter student experience.
- Reduce prices at the SU shop and across campus.
- Create a Commuters Hub – a common room where commuting students can go during the day.
- Implement free breakfasts to help with cost-of-living pressures.
I’m excited for…
Representing you for one more year and working with the incredible Sabbatical Officer team to see what we achieve this year!
Top tips
- Don’t be afraid to try something new.
- Join a student group. Always get involved where you can, you won’t regret it!
- Always ask if there’s a student discount.
- You will get freshers’ flu - be prepped with tissues, painkillers, etc.
- And remember to rest your social battery (don’t forget to look after yourself).