GSA election
Councillor and Senate candidates
Compiled by Susan Collins
GSA-UMSU councillor: Four positions available
umabioye@cc.umanitoba.ca
My enrolment into the faculty of graduate studies was for winter of 2005. I am currently working towards a master of science degree in the department of soil science. I have been involved in various associations during my undergraduate degree, where I served twice consecutively as a public relation officer. Voting for me as UMGSA-UMSU councillor will not only ensure the smooth relationship between the UMGSA and UMSU councils, but will also enhance the partnership that exists between the two independent student councils. The primary requisite for life is change. Now is the time for a change!
Valayapalayam
Bagavathiannan
umbagava@cc.umanitoba.ca
My name is Muthukumar Valayapalayam Bagavathiannan, and I am your candidate for UMGSA-UMSU councillor. I hold a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in India. At present, I am undertaking a PhD in plant sciences at the University of Manitoba. As UMGSA-UMSU councillor, I have two primary objectives. First, it will be to maximize benefits for graduate students by working cooperatively with UMSU to fund graduate research. Second, it will be to advance the “community of scholars” within the UMGSA by focusing on the dissemination and discussion of scholarly research of all disciplines. Now is time for change! Vote Muthukumar Valayapalayam Bagavathiannan!
gpa_for_gsa@hotmail.com
My name is Robbie Dell, and I am a Graduates for Progressive Action candidate for GSA-UMSU representative. As an UMSU representative I will represent the interests of all graduate students and ensure that their concerns are heard. As a first-year master’s in public administration student, I want to ensure that we continue to build a strong graduate community through accessible programs. I believe the exchanging and sharing of ideas, between students of different disciplines, through student lecture series and organized events, will provide graduate students with a variety of venues to showcase their work and expertise. Building a strong graduate community through such events will not only assist students in their studies, but will encourage networking with other professionals with common interests.
gpa_for_gsa@hotmail.com
My name is Patrick Fortier. I am a first-year master’s in public administration student, and Graduates for Progressive Action candidate for the position of GSA-UMSU councillor. Since June of 2005, I have served as the GSA councillor for graduates in both the master’s in public administration and master’s in political studies programs. I am very concerned about fees and tuition in general, especially the effects that increases would have on graduate students. Affordable fees and tuition are key in keeping post-secondary education accessible for people, and, if elected, I would lobby and campaign to defend the interests of graduates. I also strongly believe in fostering a graduate community for all graduates, including those enrolled on a part-time basis.
gpa_for_gsa@hotmail.com
My name is Joe Kalturnyk. I am a first-year master of architecture student and one of your Graduates for Progressive Action candidates for GSA-UMSU council representative. As a former UMSU council member, chair of the UMSU student affairs committee and member of the UMSU executive and finance committees, I’m well aware of what could be possible when UMSU and the GSA work together. Social events and political actions could be more successful if both organizations work together. I am especially committed to seeing students’ talent and projects on campus showcased. As an UMSU council member representing graduate students, I would ensure that this collaboration happens and that graduate students’ needs — distinct from those of their undergraduate counterparts — are properly addressed in UMSU council.
I am Muhi Ahmed Ibne Khair, a first-year M.Sc. student in the department of computer science. I am running for UMGSA-UMSU councillor. As UMGSA-UMSU councillor, I will ensure that effective communication is maintained between UMGSA and UMSU. The inter-communication between these two bodies is imperative to work jointly on common issues of funding for graduate students. I am determined to ensure that graduate students help shape policy that affects the well being of our student organizations. I would spearhead this relationship in the following manner: I will ensure that issues affecting post-secondary education, both at the graduate and under-graduate levels, are addressed. My task is to relay the communiqués between the two councils, which requires one to support me. On March 1, 2 and 3, vote for Muhi Khair!
gpa_for_gsa@hotmail.com
My name is Faisal Shibley. I am a first-year master’s student in computer science, and your Graduates for Progressive Action candidate for GSA-UMSU representative. I will not be a graduate student forever, and I would like to use the limited time I have to make the University of Manitoba a better place for current and future graduate students. As an international student I had the misfortune of having to pay extra tuition fees, which is especially a burden for international graduate students financing their own education. The voice of international students must be heard in order to ensure tuition and fees do not increase, and I want to use my voice on UMSU council to promote this as a joint GSA-UMSU cause.
umzhuy@cc.umanitoba.ca
My name is Yunfa Zhu. I am running for UMGSA-UMSU councillor. Currently, I am in year two of the PhD program in the department of economics. I received my MA in economics at Carleton University and my B.Sc. in physics at Beijing University. In 2001-02, I was a visiting research fellow at Harvard University. I believe that the UMGSA must work cooperatively with UMSU to enrich research opportunities for graduate students. I pledge to boost funding opportunities, especially in areas of conference travel grants and special projects. Also, I will insist that UMSU and the UMGSA recognize the significance of “research initiatives,” which is the primary objective of all graduate students. On March 1, 2 and 3, 2006, vote for Yunfa Zhu.
GSA senator: Four positions available
umimacs@cc.umanitoba.ca
Fellow Graduate Students, my name is Samuel Nonye Ima. I am a PhD student in the department of biosystems engineering, and I am running for the position of UMGSA senator. I have served in the GSA ethics and bylaws committees and as the vice-president of the biosystems engineering Graduate Students’ Association. I would like to use the experience I have gained to serve in the UMGSA. As UMGSA senator, my responsibilities will include representing your interests at the senate and on senate committees. Any vote given to me is one for accountability, effective representation, increased funding, relentless efforts in fighting for your interests and better UMGSA leadership. So, when you are ready to cast your ballot for the senator position, vote for SAMUEL NONYE IMA. Thank you!
gpa_for_gsa@hotmail.com
I am a first-year PhD student in natural resources and environmental management, and a Graduates for Progressive Action candidate for senator. I previously completed a master’s in economics at Williams College, U.S., and a master’s in zoology at Dhaka University, Bangladesh. I have participated in a variety of student groups, serving as cultural secretary for the student union, department of zoology, and executive member in the Ananda Mohan Government College Student Union. My experience as a student and in the professional world has provided me the knowledge to understand the issues facing both resident and international graduate students. Particularly, I feel issues regarding tuition and fees, commercialization of campuses and administration transparency need to be discussed in senate to protect the interests of graduate students.
gpa_for_gsa@hotmail.com
I am a PhD student in biosystems engineering and a Graduates for Progressive Action candidate for senator. I have been a GSA councillor for the past two years. During this time I have served on many GSA committees, including the ethics committee and awards committee, and I have chaired the executive performance review committee. I am also a member of the senate committee on university research. I am confident that I have the experience to be an excellent voice for graduate students on senate. As an international student I understand the concerns and difficulties facing international students. I am opposed to any increase in fees and tuition. Lobbying against tuition and fee hikes and changes to the continuing fee-system will be my first priority as senator.
mmohamed@ee.umanitoba.ca
Hello, I’m Mohamed M. Zakaria, your candidate for UMGSA senator. I am a PhD student in the department of electrical and computer engineering. As an overseas student, I intend to encourage multicultural relationships among all graduate students. I believe that at the senate, the UMGSA should promote an image that reflects the “academic” and “scholarly” attitude of graduate research at the U of M. I also plan to build a sense of community between all graduate students, providing opportunities to socialize and to promote collective learning from various academic disciplines. I invite you to vote for me as a senator for UMGSA. I am looking forward to your vote and suggestions to improve the daily operations of UMGSA. Thank you all.
mmohamed@ee.umanitoba.ca
My name is David Di Zhang. I am a third-year management PhD student, and a Graduates for Progressive Action candidate for GSA senator. Do you remember when you were excited about your brilliant new idea and needed to share it with others? How about the time your mind went blank and you desperately needed a spark? There are over 3,000 graduate students at the U of M who have had similar experiences, and I think the graduate student association must be a place where creative ideas are generated, exchanged and developed. I am asking for your support, and vote, to help establish and expand the GSA as a forum for trans-disciplinary academic, social and political action. Vote for community, vote GPA for GSA.
yjzhou@cs.umanitoba.ca
My name is Yijie Zhou. I am an M.Sc. student in the department of computer science. I am your senatorial candidate for the Graduate Students’ Association general election of 2006. I received my bachelor of engineering at Shanghai University in China. An old Chinese saying says: “Actions speak louder than words.” A vote for me implies improved access to additional funding for all graduate students. A vote for me ensures greater exchange of information between the Graduate Students’ Association and the senate. Finally, a vote for me will protect the integrity and the spirit of the Graduate Students’ Association, which is to bridge the differences in “research” that divide the very nature of graduate students.
