"One Year, One Chance, All for Postgrads!"

Introduction

Hi there, fellow students at the University of Warwick! I’m Anuraditya, and I’m running for VP Postgraduate because I believe postgraduates deserve better academic, professional, and social experience.

Navigating a one-year postgraduate program is intensive. I want to ensure you get real-world opportunities, financial support, career growth, and a strong sense of community during your time at Warwick.

As your VP Postgraduate, I will focus on bridging theory with practice, making assessments more relevant, tackling the cost-of-living crisis, strengthening career support, improving well-being, and ensuring inclusive spaces for all postgraduates.

My Goals & How I Will Achieve Them

Goal 1: Bridging Theory with Practice—Creating Real-World Platforms for Postgraduates

Objective: Empower postgraduate students to apply their academic learning in practical, real-world contexts through industry-backed opportunities and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Actions:

1. Establish an Industry-Backed Practical Platform for postgraduates to engage in real-world projects, collaborating with different departments.
   Metric: Launch with 10+ industry partners and 200 participants by year-end.
2. Foster Entrepreneurial and Family Business Opportunities, providing mentorship and resources through collaborations with alumni and incubators.
   Metric: Host 3 boot camps and support 50 students by the end of the academic year.
3. Offer Targeted Career Guidance, including sessions tailored for those with diverse professional backgrounds, with early job application support.
   Metric: Conduct monthly sessions with an 80% satisfaction rate.
4. Host quarterly Networking Events to promote cross-departmental collaboration among postgraduates.
   Metric: Achieve participation from 150+ students per event.
5. Launch Real-World Projects with Industry Mentorship, offering hands-on experience for postgraduates.
   Metric: Secure 15 projects backed by industry mentors in the first term.

Goal 2: Rethinking Postgraduate Assessments—Fostering Real-World Application and Innovation

Objective: Redesign postgraduate assessments to evaluate real-world applications, integrate AI tools, and ensure a supportive environment that prioritizes student well-being.

Actions:

1. Advocate for Real-World Relevant Assessments, such as case studies, simulations, and projects, to replace traditional exams.
   Metric: Transition 40% of modules to these formats within the next academic year.
2. Introduce Innovative Evaluation Techniques, such as collaborative projects and decision-making exercises, with input from postgraduates.
   Metric: Launch pilots in 5+ departments within the first term, with 80% student approval.
3. Promote AI Integration in assessments, offering workshops on using AI responsibly for academic and professional growth.
   Metric: Ensure 60% of students complete AI-integrated projects by year-end.
4. Enhance Exam Scheduling to prevent back-to-back exams and balance workloads.
   Metric: Reduce back-to-back exams by 50% and increase student satisfaction by 20%.
5. Prioritize Well-Being During Assessments, with provisions like flexible deadlines, mental health resources, and accessible policies.
   Metric: Increase resource utilization by 30% and achieve 80% satisfaction among students.

Goal 3: Ensuring an Affordable and Inclusive Postgraduate Experience

Objective: Reduce financial burdens and create an inclusive postgraduate environment by enhancing access to resources, jobs, and essential services.

Actions:

1. Lobby for Affordable Housing and Food, prioritizing affordable accommodation, low-cost meal plans, and discounted grocery options.
   Metric: Secure a 25% increase in affordable housing and 5+ new discount partnerships by year-end.
2. Redesign On-Campus Job Opportunities with fast-track hiring for postgraduates, flexible work hours, and better accessibility.
   Metric: Increase postgraduate participation in on-campus jobs by 30%.
3. Advocate for Postgraduate Representation in Societies, ensuring inclusivity in leadership roles and events.
   Metric: Achieve postgraduate representation in 70% of societies by year-end.
4. Establish Dedicated Spaces for Postgraduates, with facilities for networking, study, and relaxation.
   Metric: Launch one postgraduate hub and host 5+ exclusive events annually.

Goal 4: Enhancing Career Support for Postgraduates

Objective: Provide tailored career guidance and internship opportunities to help postgraduates navigate the UK job market effectively.

Actions:

1. Launch Early Career Preparation Workshops aligned with UK hiring cycles to help postgraduates apply in time for jobs and internships.
   Metric: Conduct 5 workshops per term with 50+ students per session.
2. Collaborate with the Careers Team for International Student Support, addressing visa requirements and job-seeking strategies.
   Metric: Offer monthly sessions with a 90% satisfaction rate.
3. Advocate for Flexible Internships, accommodating the compressed postgraduate schedules.
   Metric: Pilot internships in 3+ departments by the next academic year.

Goal 5: Addressing the Cost-of-Living Crisis

Objective: Ease financial pressures on students by improving access to affordable housing, food, and essential services.

Actions:

1. Work with the university and SU commercial services to provide low-cost meal plans and discounted daily essentials in campus stores.
   Metric: Introduce affordable meal options in 3+ outlets and secure 5+ new discount partnerships.
2. Partner with local businesses to offer Exclusive Student Discounts on groceries, transport, and personal care products.
   Metric: Achieve 5+ partnerships by Term 2.
3. Lobby for More Affordable Housing options, prioritizing postgraduate students in short-term allocations.
   Metric: Increase affordable housing availability by 25% by year-end.

Goal 6: Building Dedicated Spaces for Postgraduates

Objective: Create exclusive spaces to support postgraduates’ academic, professional, and social needs.

Actions:

1. Establish a Postgraduate-Only Hub for career workshops, networking, and community events.
   Metric: Launch the hub by end of the year with monthly usage by 200+ students.
2. Host Exclusive Events for Postgraduates, including well-being workshops and networking opportunities.
   Metric: Organize 5+ events annually with 100+ attendees per event.

Goal 7: Prioritizing Well-Being for Postgraduates

Objective: Ensure postgraduates have access to mental health resources, support systems, and stress management tools tailored to their unique needs.

Actions:

1. Introduce Dedicated Well-Being Services, including faster access to counselling and tailored mental health support for postgraduate students.
   Metric: Increase postgraduate counselling appointments by 20% by year-end.
2. Host Stress-Relief Events, such as mindfulness sessions, well-being workshops, and social activities to help students balance academic pressures.
   Metric: Organize 10 events annually with an average attendance of 50 students per event.
3. Launch a Well-Being Feedback Portal for students to report concerns, request support, and track service improvements.
   Metric: Resolve 80% of submitted concerns within 2 weeks.

What I Believe

• Postgraduates deserve opportunities, assessments, and support that reflect their expertise and academic rigor.
• Financial stress should never compromise your experience—affordable housing, food, and essentials are key.
• Your well-being matters. Academic success is best achieved when paired with emotional and mental health support.
• Warwick should feel like home—a space where every postgraduate thrives.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Your postgraduate journey at Warwick is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it should be more than just deadlines, expenses, and job applications—it should be a year of growth, connections, and real-world impact.

As your VP Postgraduate, I am committed to delivering tangible change, whether it's creating real-world learning platforms, improving assessments, ensuring financial support, securing career opportunities, or prioritizing well-being. You deserve a system that works for you, not against you—one that understands the unique challenges of a one-year master's program.

This is our chance to shape a stronger, more inclusive postgraduate experience—one where your ideas are heard, your concerns are addressed, and your future is supported. Let’s make this year count, together!

Have questions? Reach out at: anuraditya.sah@warwick.ac.uk

Polls open at 09:00 on Monday, 3 March 2025. Make your vote count!

Vote for real impact, vote for postgraduates, vote for a stronger Warwick!