He/Him
City West
International Master of Business Administration (Marketing)
International Master Of Business Administration (Marketing), 2025.
I wanted to become a student representative because I believe in the power of student voices. I’ve always been passionate about creating a supportive community where everyone feels heard and valued. Being a representative allows me to bridge the gap between students and the university, ensuring that our needs and ideas are represented. Having served as a student representative since school and throughout my bachelor’s degree, I’ve consistently worked to enhance the student experience for my peers. I helped my batch secure the best opportunities and support, and I’m eager to continue this as the next USASA board representative.
The current cost of living crisis is a significant challenge for many students, and in 2025, I aim to address this issue head-on. My goal is to advocate for affordable solutions and support systems that can alleviate financial burdens, ensuring that no student has to choose between their education and basic necessities. In addition to this, I want to foster a more inclusive environment where every student feels empowered to share their experiences and challenges. By implementing initiatives that enhance student well-being and academic support, I will work to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. Together, we can create a community where students feel supported and valued, even in difficult times.
I’m from the City West Campus, and my favourite thing about it is the vibrant atmosphere. The café culture here is fantastic - there’s nothing like grabbing a coffee and soaking in the buzz of student life!
My best piece of advice is to embrace the journey, not just the destination and it doesn't matter if you are in your bachelor's or your master's. University can be overwhelming, but remember to take breaks, connect with others, join clubs that relate most to your hobbies, volunteer to make connections and learn new stuff, and enjoy the learning process.
Cold Coffee paired with soft lo-fi music. It's perfect for me to just unwind and relax.
I would love to have dinner with Late Asa Candler, the visionary behind Coca-Cola’s rise to fame. Born in 1851, Candler transformed Coca-Cola from a local tonic into a global phenomenon after purchasing the recipe in 1888. One of his most innovative strategies was the use of coupons to promote syrup sales to pharmacists. I’d be eager to ask him about this clever marketing tactic. By distributing thousands of coupons for a complimentary glass of Coca-Cola, he not only attracted customers to soda fountains but also incentivized pharmacists to stock the syrup. This approach created a win-win situation. I’d love to hear his thoughts on how he developed this strategy and the impact it had on the brand’s growth. Sharing a meal with him would provide fascinating insights into the early days of marketing and the importance of customer engagement in building a successful business.
I would start by traveling the world, enjoying diverse landscapes and immersing myself in different cultures. After sipping coffee in cafes around the globe, I would love to create an NGO that helps communities develop eco-friendly and sustainable products, ensuring a better future for our planet.
Since the Board Retreat in January, I have actively participated in several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the student experience. I attended both the USASA and UniSA Symposiums, which provided valuable opportunities to network with various UniSA bodies and explore the diverse opportunities available to our student community. I remain deeply committed to my role on the USASA Board, where I advocate on behalf of students and work to enrich their overall university experience.
In addition to these engagements, I was honoured to be elected Chair of the Finance Committee at USASA. We will hold our inaugural meeting at the end of this month, and I am dedicated to ensuring that our financial resources are effectively managed and directed toward student welfare and enjoyable campus activities. Our committee is focused on learning and planning strategically to support the broader initiatives of the USASA Board.
Furthermore, I contributed to the orientation process at City East and City West, serving as a UniMentor, G’Day Mate, and Board Representative. I also had the opportunity to serve as a panellist at City West, where I guided new students on the importance of engaging in campus activities and maintaining a well-organized schedule. Additionally, I participated in the International Welcome Reception held on the 24th and 25th. I also volunteered as a UniSA Sport Student Activator at City West Orientation.
My involvement extended to the UniSA Business Academic Board, where I attended my first meeting as a student member and engaged in discussions covering a wide range of topics. I also took part in the EQUIS student interview, further broadening my exposure to university initiatives.
This being my first year on the USASA Board, I am excited about the progress we are making and look forward to contributing further to our community’s success in the future.
Over the past few weeks, I have been actively engaged in a variety of events and initiatives designed to enhance our campus community and enrich the student experience. My involvement spanned a range of activities—from orientation sessions and committee meetings to social gatherings and training sessions—each contributing to our collective goal of fostering a supportive and dynamic university environment.
In February, I began by participating in the UniSA Orientation at the Magill campus on the 26th, which provided a fantastic opportunity to welcome new students and introduce them to our campus life. The following day, on the 27th, I attended the Finance Committee meeting, marking an important step in ensuring transparent and strategic management of our financial resources. On the 28th, I further engaged with the community by joining the UniSA Orientation Online Student Panel, where we discussed ways to help students settle into university life.
March has been an especially busy month. I started off the month on the 1st with a memorable Victor Harbour trip as part of the G’Day Mate initiative as a volunteer. Early in the month, on the 4th, I split my day between a morning meet-up at Brekky Bar – City East and a USASA Board Meeting, reinforcing our commitment to both social engagement and governance. The following day, I was at Brekky Bar – City West where I had conversations with students, heard their concerns and directed them to services they need.
Throughout the week, my schedule was filled with collaborative efforts and strategic meetings. On the 6th, I had two important sessions with Lauren—first to discuss the initiation of a new Club and later for the club’s induction meeting. The next day, on the 7th, I connected online as a UniMentor. I continued my participation in campus activities with another gathering at Brekky Bar – City East on the 11th.
On the 12th, my day involved dual engagements at Brekky Bar – City West and the Campus Fair, where I represented both UniMentor and the USASA Board. This provided a platform to promote active participation in campus life and to highlight the importance of community involvement.
Further into the month, I completed the Preclusion Appeals Committee Training on the 17th, a session that enhanced my understanding of our role, academic policies and student support mechanisms. My commitment to student engagement remained strong with additional social meetups at Brekky Bar – City East on the 18th, and on the 19th, I attended sessions at Brekky Bar – City West as well as a Campus Fair held at City East. I concluded the active period with another Finance Committee meeting on the 20th.
These varied engagements have allowed me to interact with a broad spectrum of our student body and university stakeholders, ensuring that I remain informed and responsive to the needs of our community. I look forward to building on these experiences and contributing further to the success of our initiatives.
Over the past month, I’ve continued to immerse myself in a wide range of activities aimed at supporting our student community and strengthening the work of our Board. From committee meetings and pop‑ups to one‑on‑one catch‑ups and training sessions, each engagement has offered fresh insights and reinforced our shared commitment to making UniSA a more inclusive, informed and empowered place.
In late March, I began by attending the Education Committee meeting on 24 March, where we discussed upcoming initiatives to boost academic support for students in our programmes. The very next day, I joined the City West Pop‑up on 25 March, chatting to students about their campus experiences and pointing them towards services they might find useful. On 26 March, I landed at Brekky Bar (City East) for a relaxed meet‑and‑greet over coffee and toasties, and then on 28 March I participated in a Draft AUSA discussion session.
April kicked off with another Brekky Bar at City East on 1 April. A couple of days later, on 3 April, I sat in on a Formal Inquiry. Then, on 8 April, I returned to Brekky Bar (City East) in the morning and later responded to a student’s email regarding advocacy.
Continuing with campus touch‑points, I volunteered at Brekky Bar at City West on 9 April, before shifting gears on 13 April to a Mediation Preparation meeting, where we fine‑tuned our approach to supporting students. The following day, 14 April, I completed Cultural Awareness training—an invaluable session that deepened my understanding of First Nations and Aboriginal cultures.
On 18 April, I replied to another student inquiry by email. On 20 April, I had a catch-up with the City East representative. Finally, on 22 April, I participated in a Special Board Meeting.
Each of these opportunities has allowed me to stay connected with the broad spectrum of our student community, refine our advocacy approaches and collaborate closely with fellow Board members. I’m excited to build on these experiences as we continue to champion the needs of every UniSA student and future AU students.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve continued to actively engage in initiatives and events that drive student representation, wellbeing, and support across UniSA. Through committee meetings, Brekky Bars, formal processes, and student outreach, I’ve worked to ensure our student voices are heard and acted upon. Each interaction has reaffirmed the importance of a connected, collaborative, and inclusive student experience.
I chaired the Finance Committee Meeting on 24 April, where we reviewed our financial standing. On 29 April, I had a busy day starting the morning with Brekky Bar at City East, followed by attending the USASA Annual General Meeting and later contributing to valuable discussions during the USASA Board Meeting.
The following day, on 30 April, I joined the Brekky Bar at City West, catching up with students and getting real-time feedback about campus life. On 5 May, we engaged in an in-depth discussion around Arbitration Documents to ensure our stance is strong.
May continued with strong community touchpoints. On 6 May and 13 May, I returned to City East for the Brekky Bar, continuing to build connections with students in a relaxed environment. Between these sessions, on 12 May, I contacted FM Assist to address and resolve the issue of broken lockers in the CS-CWE area, taking quick action to support student amenities after receiving a complaint from a few students.
On 14 May, I joined the Brekky Bar at City West once again, and on 19 May, I participated in two Formal Inquiries.
Every meeting, breakfast, and email has added another layer to my understanding of our evolving student needs. I remain committed to translating these insights into meaningful action and representation.
Every month, each member of the USASA Board writes a report on what they've been up to. Click on their names to read their reports and more.
President: Oliver Shephard-Bayly
Postgraduate Student Rep: Dasuni Imansa Jaburuthugoda Gamarachchige
Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander Student Rep: Vacant
International Student Rep: Edwin John
City West Student Rep: Haider Surka
City West Undergraduate Student Rep: Yeshaiah Varona
City East Student Rep: Meetali
City East Undergraduate Student Rep: Sasha Yildirimci
Magill Student Rep: Shefali Mhatre
Magill Undergraduate Student Rep: Shaana Sihota
Mawson Lakes Student Rep: Surya Tomar
Mawson Lakes Undergraduate Student Rep: Husan Ara
Mount Gambier Student Rep: Vacant
Whyalla Student Rep: Lilly Henwood
UniSA Online Student Rep: Lily Durkin
Have a general enquiry regarding the USASA Student Board?