International students representative candidates aim to improve student life, culture on campus
With voting for the Student Association’s byelections underway, two students are going head-to-head in the race for international students representative.
Shashwat Seth and Tanveer Singh are the two candidates, both of whom envision a more inclusive environment at George Brown College (GBC) for international students.
Having been a student at GBC for the past three months Seth said, “I do not think is an issue going on in the college relating to international students, but every culture should be equally represented.”
Seth was in search of a diverse college community and finds GBC as the best fit. His goal if elected is to be a voice for the large international population on campus and advocate for better means of cross-cultural communication.
“The best reason the students should vote for me is I have a vision, first of all, the vision to grow, to take people,” said Seth. “I want to be the medium for them to raise their voice.”
Similarly, Singh is focused on creating a more welcoming environment and providing support to newcomers to Canada and GBC.
“Not everyone has families over here,” said Singh. “At the end of the day, you are just going home, eating food and sleeping. So sometimes you need someone with the same language to communicate.”
He is proposing a study club for international students, and also wishes to address the prevalent topic of international tuition and student fees if given the opportunity to serve the role.
“I can tell my opinion and ideas to them (voters) but it’s on them whom they to choose,” Singh said while pointing out that he is running for and because of the students. “The vision must be the same,”
Senthil Thevar is running unopposed for the Student Association’s preparatory and liberal studies representative. Photo: Kevin Goodger / The Dialog
Senthil Thevar is the sole candidate in the race for preparatory and liberal studies representative and Jeffrey Hewitt is running for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students’ representative.
Thevar, who is an labour activist in Ontario, hopes to bring his experience to the role.
“It’s to advocate for students,” he said, as the reason for seeking a seat on the SA board.
Thevar hopes to encourage students to participate in processes will have an impact on them.
The satellite campuses director and hospitality and culinary arts seats remain vacant.
Voting for the SA byelection opened on Monday, Dec. 3 and will continue until midnight on Friday, Dec. 7.
Students can vote online at sagbc.simplyvoting.com.
With files from Kevin Goodger.
