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Meet the new Brighton Students’ Union officer team

The 2020–21 officer team has begun their term – but what are their priorities and what do they do in their spare time? We spoke to them to find out.

8 July 2020

Why did you want to run for your roles?

Sihem Ziada, President: I have always been passionate about people, experiences, how they vary and the positive impactful change that can occur when people come together and listen. I recognise the SU President’s job is a challenging role as no individual is going to be the same, but being a voice and representative of students’ needs is something close to my heart.

Evangeline Solomon, Vice President Welfare: I wanted to run for role of VP Welfare, as mental and physical wellbeing is a matter that is very close to my heart. The time you spend at university can really define, change and mould you into the adult that you want to be. During this time of change and development it is vital that importance is laid upon wellbeing. Due to this, I wanted run for a position in which I could make real change and help future generations.

Sihem Ziada President of the Brighton Students' Union

Sihem Ziada, President

Evangeline Solomon, Vice President Welfare

Evangeline Solomon, Vice President Welfare

Ramy Badrie, Vice President Education: I was inspired by BSU and guided by a tremendous hope and commitment to delivering an educational experience for all students that is liberated, borderless, sustainable and inclusive – one which addresses intersecting inequalities and breaks down barriers to access. Students show us on a daily basis the university not as it is, but as it should be. Their desire for change effectively manifests itself in the lobbying we do as officers.

Meg Donovan, Vice President Activities: I ran for Vice President Activities because I care about the student experience. I want to make sure that students are able to make the most out of their time at university, in whatever way that may be. I am very passionate about helping people find their niche, as that is often the tool that helps people excel.

Tell us something about your background…

Sihem: I’m a chemistry graduate to be, with an interest in everything green Chemistry. In my time at Brighton I have had the opportunity of being the President of the Islamic Society and an overall ambassador to students.

Evangeline: I came to University of Brighton in 2017 to study economics. I had the pleasure of living in Brighton for those 3 years, during which I worked at BSU’s Basement Central which is a café that is in Cockcroft. I had the opportunity to share my passion of music with my friends, and many hours were spent at the grand piano in Huxley! Journeys and memories were made and shared and my journey at Brighton is forever imprinted on my heart.

Ramy Badrie, Vice President Education

Ramy Badrie, Vice President Education

Meg Donovan Vice President Activities

Meg Donovan, Vice President Activities

Ramy: I came to Brighton to study Law, having previously served the Debating, Law and Amnesty Societies. I’m originally from Syria and I was lucky to escape the civil war. That experience has profoundly shaped my life, motivating me to get involved in student politics. BSU and this role have bettered me and the student movement has been my home. I’ll spend the rest of my life being grateful.

Meg: I have just finished my final year at the University of Brighton, studying English language. I am originally from Worcestershire but hope to stay in the beautiful city of Brighton for as long as possible. I also had the pleasure of working at Basement Central that is based in Cockcroft, where I had frequent interactions with so many different students.

What are your priorities in post over the next academic year?

Sihem: My priorities this year are simple: ensuring every student feels heard by its Students’ Union, by doing everything we can to guarantee students are impacted by COVID-19 as little as possible, with particular emphasis on BAME students given statistics do highlight how our Black and Ethnic minority students are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. I am passionate about making sure the university also uses the pandemic to its advantage by promoting courses such as coding and language to boost our students’ employability.

Evangeline: Over this next academic year, my highest priority and focus will be the mental and physical health of students. I aim to be an accessible person for students, so that they can voice their concerns, thus allowing me to make changes that would best suit their academic careers at Brighton.

Ramy: The officer team and BSU as a whole is committed to addressing racial and structural inequalities, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on students of colour, so that no voice goes unheard. It’s crucial to embrace a learning and teaching experience which eliminates additional course costs, enhances learning support plans, diversifies assessments, broadens mitigating circumstances and addresses digital poverty to ensure a level field for students of colour. Equally important is the development of a sense of community and belonging for all students.

Meg: My main priorities over the next academic year are to help all activities develop and grow, despite the unfortunate circumstances of COVID-19, by giving them plenty of support and new opportunities. Another priority of mine is to raise more awareness for important issues such as Black Lives Matter, LGBTQIA+ and sexual misconduct. Overall, I am focused on making every single student feel included and accepted at university.

During your time here, what do you think the university does well and what are you determined to help improve?

Sihem: The university is evolving and changing constantly. That’s great for students and the SU as it means change is never far away, and in my time at university, our SU does a great job of being a listening ear. It’s passion to be educated as well as enhance student experience is inspirational. Now it’s time for us to push our action plans.

Evangeline: The University of Brighton is made up of a community that is extremely diverse and we celebrate that diversity. As we are composed of so many different types of students, I would like to improve the equality and equity that the students experience. I would like each student to leave the University of Brighton happy with the experience they’ve received. At the end of the day, we are here to help you, we are here to make sure that you get the best university experience you could ever ask for!

Ramy: In addition to skills needed to attain a degree, the university focuses on offering a springboard for students to find their calling in life. BSU provides a diverse mechanism for that, drawing out the best in them so that they, in turn, able to contribute to the community and wider society. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many colleagues across the university, both academics and professional services staff, and I look forward to continuing that partnership. I’m determined to help reform the university’s approach to the lived experience of underrepresented groups and the ongoing inequalities they face to ensure fairer access and accelerate the decolonizing of curriculums.

Meg: Something I think the university does well is it promotes a variety of activities, both university and BSU led, whether it is sport, societies, student media, volunteer work, charity work etc. This wide variety gives students so many options to choose from. My aim is to widen this variety even more, to ensure that every single student has a chance to get involved.

COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone – are there any changes it’s made to your life that you’ll be keeping going forward?

Sihem: COVID-19 putting the world on pause led many of us keen planners of the future to put our plans on hold- Whether we like it or not. My biggest challenge has been to live in the moment, enjoy the journey I’m on, including the ups and downs. Oh, and don’t be too tough on yourself, with hardships comes ease! Also #bekind as we’re all experiencing the same pandemic, just in different ways.

Evangeline: COVID-19 came in with full-power and altered the ways we live. Is change a bad thing? I don’t know. COVID-19 has certainly been challenging but it has been a time of innovation! Due to the advancements in technology, almost all communication is done behind a screen. This has been a challenge for me, as it’s so weird to not be able to be close to the person you are talking to, but it has made me grateful for the brains that are in our world.

Ramy: Simplicity. At the end of the day, when the dust settles, all that matters is the beautiful and often fleeting moments we have in connecting with others. Empathy and a recognition of our shared vulnerability is at the heart of all of it. And social learning is a powerful mechanism to initiate lasting change by allowing us to learn from one another and adapt our behaviour as a result.

Meg: I think COVID-19 has taught me to be grateful for everything that I have in my life. I will definitely be practicing this supreme amount of gratitude going forward. 

Tell us something interesting about you which a lot of people may not know…

Sihem: In my free time I am sucker for poetry and music. I’ve been writing since I can remember and have had the opportunity to upload some of my pieces in anthologies and perform spoken word at prestigious universities. I love Music, I often make playlists inspired by countries I’ve visited or yet to visit. Currently my favourite playlist is “Cuba meets Africa”.

Evangeline: A fact which most people don’t know about me is that I am a massive animal lover! I have a dog of my own, and my aspiration in life is get a house with a garden that is big enough to make my 5 dogs happy!

Ramy: Before coming to Brighton, I was involved with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for nearly 2 years, working within refugee camps along the Syrian Jordanian border and lobbying the Jordanian government for greater support and protection for Syrian refugees.

Meg: Something interesting about me which a lot of people may not know is that I was the President of the Musical Theatre Society in my second year at university. I learnt so much in that time and cherish all of the memories that I have from it.

Complete these sentences …

The best way to relax is …

Sihem: A pamper session – Warm baths, roses, tea and face masks!

Evangeline: To put on some fluffy socks, have a hot chocolate in one hand, a dog in another and watch a crime-series documentary.

Ramy: By ending the day with a list of things you are grateful for and then reading over it the next morning as you embark on a new day. One thing I’m constantly grateful for is being able to serve the student interest through this role and the ongoing support I receive from our CEO and staff within the Union in enabling me to do that.

Meg: Cleaning my room at the end of the day. I realise that is a very odd way to relax. However, it really helps me unwind and clear my busy mind at the end of a long day.

In five years, I’ll be …

Sihem: I’ll continue hopefully refining my character, living in the moment and making long lasting impressions on people I have the pleasure encountering.

Evangeline: I’d like to be a lecturer of economics somewhere in the world! I would aim to get a Masters in Behavioural Economics and would have travelled the world a bit more.

Ramy: Continuing to grow as a person and paying forward all the kindness I’ve experienced. I hope to be working as an international human rights lawyer, championing refugee and immigrants’ rights.

Meg: Happy in whatever I am doing. I hope to still be performing as a hobby as it brings me so much joy.

Look out for our podcast special with the new Brighton Students’ Union team, out Friday 17 July.

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