Impressed

Well, am really impressed with students here…UK students are really different from that in Malaysia…more proactive and outspoken…and of course, the university needs to be open-minded enough to allow this…

For your information,
there is an anti-war group in Strathclyde lobbying for the university to give up its tie with BAE system, an arms manufacturer that was alleged to supply weapons to various governments violating human rights, including the war in Palestin…

In the last Strathclyde Union AGM, they brought this up, and brought a large group of their members to form the majority of votes to pass the anti-war motion…e.g. for Strathclyde to end its contract with Eden Spring…an Israeli mineral water company allegedly obtained their water supply from Palestin…They won the motion…although some people said they did it through an un-democractic way…Previously similar motion were rejected by the SRC because it would place the university in a difficult position with its corporate funder…

Back to the point, it seems that BAE system invested alot in Strathclyde engineering research and development and employ most strathclyde engineering students…But with its alleged involvement in military activities and arms supply, some students think it is unethical for the university to continue its tie with this company…

As a follow-up from the AGM motion, a referendum will be held on Pegasus this coming Thursday on whether Strathclyde should end its relationship with BAE System. As a Strathclyde student, you have a say in this…log on PEGASUS next Thursday 30th April 9am until Friday 1st May 3pm…the party that will be affected the most is the engineering students of course….

On a side note, if this was a Malaysian university, I think all these students might have been reprimanded or expelled for challenging the university…LOL…or probably Malaysian students just dont care…

Studying here in this environment can really open up ur minds and ur eyes

Vote KK as the New Strathclyde Union President!

“YES! If i get elected…I’m going to extend my visa…stay one more year in Strathclyde to work for the better-ment of all of yoU! I promise…”

LOL…in my dreams…

Anyway…Strathclyde Union election starts today…

Have you voted? Log on to Pegasus, click here. go to “Questionaire” Section…then VOTE!!

Dont know the candidates? No problems…click here to read their manifesto & what they promise to do!

See no point of voting? Yes there is…we are voting for the right person to ensure the Union is run properly for our juniors and future Malaysian students…& most importantly, we are a major international student voice!!

Still headache dont know who to vote for?
Nvm…vote for my frens! haha…I’m asking you to vote for them not because they are my frens…but because from my experience with them I know they can do something…& I couldnt offer much help for their campaign..so..here goes!

• Deputy President? Amy Davies!
• Vice President for Support & Campaign? Kelley Temple!
• Academic Affairs Officer? Emma!!
• Student Media & Marketing Officer? ROb Harris!!
• I’ve got 2 frens running for the President…Phillip Whyte! is our Debate Club President…Yousuf! also a debate club member…he promises a Union Surau & a Subway in the Union…read their manifesto to see which one appeals to u better…
• Interestingly…there is a second year Pharmacy student running..for Equal Opportunities Officer…

So, what is the difference between Union election here & that in IMU? BIGGG Difference…

1. Every student can join SRC..But those that needs to be elected…are known as the Executive Council…
2. Union here has got ONE WHOLE BUILDING for itself! 8 FLOORS! & it is full of PUBS & CLUBS! at a cheap price…& safer cos only students with student ID can go in…
3. Union here is like a Parliament…they have debates open to students to attend & take part in deciding important University’s policy…A recent one was a meeting to call the University to terminate contract with Israel companies following Gaza war…did they succeed? I dont know…wasnt there
4. Union here runs one of the best student newspaper in Scotland…Strathclyde Telegraph!! & a student radio station = Strathclyde Fusion! It’s an online radio… Tune in to Strathclyde FUsion here.
5. They have an national student body called NUS…National Voice of Student (I dont know why NUS but not NVS). Few people in the university will be chosen in the election to represent Strathclyde students in NUS…
6. Almost half of the candidates running this year are from Debate Club! Debate Club rocks!! Juniors!! Join debate!! hehe..
7. Being the only candidate for certain post doesnt mean you get the post automatically. If students think you are incapable, they can vote for RON = Re-Open Nomination…you know what it means..
8. Most interestingly!!!! Being elected in the Union means you get a JOB!! yes..a JOB…a PAID FULL TIME JOB! a PAID 9 to 5 JOB!
9. BUt…that means you have to quit study for a year…so you either join ur juniors & graduate a year later…OR..u run for it during ur final year…Only the President, Deputy and Vices are paid tho…if not mistaken..it’s a big commitment…

So, why wait…make sure you cast you vote!!! Get involved…It’s our first but last student election in our university life…hehe…

Oh…voting starts today 5.00pm until Tuesday (tmr) 5.00pm

& Good luck to all frens who are running for positions!

Cheers