Please outline why you’re running for the position, and any skills/experience you possess which would enable you to be successful if elected:

I am Allah Bakhsh, and I am running to be your next SU President. Having previously served as a Student Union President, I possess a proven track record of championing student welfare—from housing and affordability to safety and employability. My leadership is defined by a "students-first" philosophy, ensuring that every voice, especially our international and commuter communities, is heard.

Beyond my academic leadership, my professional experience as a Product Specialist at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has equipped me with elite negotiation and strategic skills. I intend to use this corporate expertise to supplement my role, bridging the gap between students and university administration to deliver tangible results. I am deeply passionate about enhancing the Royal Holloway experience by creating a safer, more inclusive, and digitally integrated campus. I have the maturity, the experience, and the dedication to lead. Vote for experience. Vote for Allah Bakhsh.

Outline your top 8 priorities in ranking order:

1. Improve maintenance and support for University halls of residence.
2. More affordable food options on campus
3. Increase the range of food options available in the SU shop and campus outlets, including more diverse cuisines and dietary requirements.
4. Reduce deadline stacking for assessments and coursework
5. Standardize marking criteria and feedback within departments.
6. More student-friendly timetables.
7. Improve the quality, consistency and accessibility of teaching within departments.
8. Run more departmental events and networking opportunities for undergraduates and postgraduates.

For your top 3 priorities, identify 1 or 2 actions you would achieve to address the issue:

1. I will negotiate with university catering to introduce a , Campus Value Range,ensuring daily essentials are price-capped for students on a budget.
   
   
2. To improve diversity, I will launch a "Global Flavors Initiative," partnering with cultural societies to rotate diverse cuisines in SU outlets.
   
   
3. This ensures that food is not only affordable but also meets the dietary and cultural needs of our international and multi-faith student community.
   
   

Please outline why you’re running for the position, and any skills/experience you possess which would enable you to be successful if elected:

Hi! I’m Matthew, and I’m running to be your next President!

As your current VP Education, former PIRSOC Secretary, and former School Rep for LSS, I’ve represented student voice at Royal Holloway for three years.

My year as VP Education has been filled with helping students succeed through:

1. CAMPAIGNS: I’ve organised ‘MENtion It!’, ‘Skills Week’, ‘Wobble Week’, and ‘Financial Support Week’ to up-skill students and promote wellbeing.

2. SOCIAL AND STUDY SPACES: I’ve uplifted spaces on campus and collaborated in opening two student lounges with microwaves, struck deals with local business for student-group bookings, and I’m pushing for neurodiverse spaces, nap-pods, and departmental common rooms.

3. DEADLINE-STACKING: I’m implementing focus group recommendations like advertising deadlines in optional module choice. I’m also making sure personal tutors work for you, and I’m advocating for increased accessibility of deadlines and extensions.

I’d be thrilled to be elected and continue representing students.

#MattyPStandsForMe

Outline your top 8 priorities in ranking order:

1. Improve security and safety in the wider area in and around the Egham campus.
2. Increase student involvement in Students’ Union decision-making and planning.
3. More affordable food options on campus.
4. Reduce deadline stacking for assessments and coursework.
5. More student-friendly timetables.
6. Improve personal tutor support.
7. More departmental careers support.
8. Improve the clarity and transparency of communications around SU events, activities, services and decision-making.

For your top 3 priorities, identify 1 or 2 actions you would achieve to address the issue:

1. Improve Security and Safety in the Wider Area in and Around the Egham Campus.
   
   OPEN BACK-GATE: Ensure 24/7 opening to shorten student journey times by working with the local community.
   
   IMPROVE STREET-LIGHTING: Lobby the local council to brighten student routes home and to Egham train station. Work with RHUL for better on-campus lighting.
   
   JOINT SECURITY: Work with RHSU and RHUL to take reporting seriously, collaborate on security incidents, and improve CCTV in venues.
   
   
2. Increase Student Involvement in Students’ Union Decision-Making and Planning.
   
   POLICY FORUMS AND REFERENDUMS: Run policy forums and referendums as President. These would be forums for all students and directly impact the direction RHSU takes on the issues that matter to students.
   
   PAID STUDENT-LEADER ROLES: Remove unfair barriers to student involvement by paying student leaders. This would free up student reliance on other part-time work and allow more dedication and time for participation in decision-making.
   
   
3. More Affordable Food Options on Campus
   
   ROYAL HOLLOWAY LOYALTY SCHEME: Continue the current work started this year to ensure every outlet on Campus will accept a single unified loyalty scheme, opening students to point collection and rewards, alleviating financial pressure.
   
   TOO GOOD TO GO: Introduce ‘Too Good To Go’ bags in outlets like Boilerhouse, The Hub, Social Bite, and Crosslands to provide students with the option of cheaper food and to reduce food waste.