The Board has an overarching responsibility to manage the conduct of USASA's business and affairs. It is also responsible for the management and control of USASA’s funds and property.
Click on a student rep’s image to view their contact details and profile to learn more.
To find out what our student reps have been up to, visit the student rep blog at usasaboard.wordpress.com
Isaac Solomon
solid001@mymail.unisa.edu.au
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (History and Global Politics).
I have always had a passion for learning but access to educational resources and support for myself and my peers has always been a struggle. I want to ensure all students no matter their background are empowered in a way which allows them to unlock their potential and thrive at University.
Defining what a post-pandemic “normal” looks like and what path the Uni should take to get there is of the utmost importance to me. A lot of work needs to be done to reinvigorate university life on campus and equally to shape our online platform into a world-leading education tool for those studying online.
In the time I have been able to spend on campus over the past 2 years I have found the people really do make the campus. The social activities hosted by clubs and student groups have made life on campus so enjoyable.
At University you are never alone. Going to university is a big step for a lot of people and 9 times out of 10 if you are struggling there are other people who are in the same boat. Engaging with USASA and student clubs can help you connect with like minded people and services. As stressful as some challenges can be, it makes the experience extremely rewarding.
While it’s hard to choose just one, the Yorke Peninsula is absolutely beautiful. Whether it’s sitting with a good book, breathing in the fresh country air or going down to the beach and relaxing in the sun, it’s the perfect break from the buzz of city life.
If I were a bird I would probably be a Kookaburra. I’m generally quite gentle and calm but can make noise when I need to. I also love hanging out with mates and having a good laugh.
Depends on the type of potato. Most potatoes I prefer mashed but if we’re talking sweet potatoes, who doesn’t love a good sweet potato fry?
It is illegal in WA to possess more than 50kg of potatoes in one place.
View their board blog posts here.
Ayrton Hogan
hogam005@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Master Business Administration.
I wanted to get more involved at Uni and to help my fellow students.
I'm not coming in with my own strict agenda. I want to listen to students, to learn from them, to advocate in their interest and to see their needs met.
The flexibility to study how it suits me.
Advice I give myself all the time - don’t be negative.
McLaren Vale. Beautiful beaches, wineries nearby. Can’t beat it.
Not sure specifically. One that migrates a long way from home and then returns.
Hard question about the versatile royalty of vegetables. Hard to go past homemade chips.
Many perfumes used to be made from whales’ digestive system lining and some still are.
View their board blog posts here.
Rohit Sahdev
sahry006@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
To help students and to engage with them. Also be a voice for them.
My aim is to bring back 100% vibrant campus life and aware students about USASA facilities as I believe, students are still not aware about it.
Student lounge.
Don’t leave the assignments for last days.
Carrickalinga in Adelaide
Penguin.
I like fried chips the most.
If you sneeze while driving at 60 mph, your eyes are closed for around 50 feet.
View their board blog posts here
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and a Bachelor of Psychology
I’ve been on the USASA board since November 2019 and one thing that I have found is that the student voice is often missing in instances where its probably the most appropriate place, so I want to put our students at the forefront of their university experience.
I am seeking for genuine input from Aboriginal students on the direction the university is taking with its commitment to the Aboriginal People of Australia.
I’m based at city-west so the best thing about my campus is the fact that it’s quite a centralized location or the law building. They’re both awesome!
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you’re struggling with assignments. I have seen many students commit academic integrity breaches just because they don’t reach out for help. There are so many resources available to support you to be successful so please use these resources if you need support!
My favourite place is probably the Supreme court of South Australia. I haven’t been there in quite a while but I am quite a law nerd and so I found it an awesome place. I’ve also never actually left South Australia so I’m very much confined to Adelaide.
I’m obviously an owl because I am writing this at 4 am so I must be an owl.
Mashed. Mashed potatoes all the way!
I know too many completely useless facts.. lets go with this: Dragonflies are considered to be considered one of the most effective predators, almost always catching their prey.
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Sim Singh
sinsy130@mymail.unisa.edu.au
I am studying Bachelor’s of Nursing 🧑⚕️ at City East Campus.
Studying at UniSA gave me one of the best experience of my social🍁 and academic life📝. I actively participated in campus fairs, wellness week, UniSA events and other activities for students🪅. I am an active club executive for Roustah club. All these participations helped me to develop leadership🧑🎓 and social skills🏄 which I can use in best interest of all students at City East campus🏫. Hence, I wanted to become a student representative to support students through available services and have there say in important decision making 🧾at UniSA.
The year 2020 and 2021 has seen a drastic cancellation for events and activities🎏, students have been isolated during online classes🧑💻, so the aim for 2022 would be bringing the social life back where students can connect, share thoughts and ideas🖌️, become creative 🪄and explore🗺️ with other fellow friends. And one of my main aim is to make all students aware and accessible to support services 📑offered by USASA and University.
The best thing about City East campus is the plaza, a large open space where students come between their break and enjoy the sunshine☀️, rain🌧️ with a cup☕ of coffee from pot called kettle and sushi 🍣 from Mr Wuhu. The other best thing is the fact that every building is connected and City East campus is a puzzle😂 for a first time visitor.
Enjoy your study life to the fullest, keep a balance between study time and chill time. Grab every opportunity to Excel and also best opportunities to creative and crazy fun times with friends. Someone has truly said “ No one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they had plenty of sleep, but will surely remember the nights you did crazy and fun stuff”.
- With responsibility 😏
There are still lots of places I haven’t explored, but one place where I desire to visit is Great Ocean road Victoria, to get some beautiful clicks with a long drive along the ocean 💕.
A flamingo 🦩🦩
Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew with extra salt and pepper 😋
Falling in love💓 has similar effects on the body😈 as taking cocaine✨. Hence, don’t fall in love before driving 🏍️otherwise you will be positive+ for drug test.
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Tim Pham
phahy017@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Pharmacy
I would like to give back to my university community, improve the university experience that my fellow students would have during their study time in our university.
More vibrant campus, more activities on campus, more support for clubs, strengthens the relationship between domestic students and international students.
It’s the people!! City East students and staffs are so caring, not just about their health but also about YOU!!
Do enjoy every single moment of your university life, study hard, go out more with friends because you will realise how short your university journey is when you are nearly at the end.
Melbourne is my favourite place to visit in Australia because I have many friends and memories there during my uni life and I always want to visit it whenever I have time.
If I were a bird, I would like to be a dove. Doves are very simple. It is a symbol of love, peace and messengers. Doves are kind, friendly and easy to be friends with. Doves give you a peaceful feeling and you can find them in many places around the world.
Potato soup? I usually put potato in my soup with carrot and beetroot. Have you ever tried eating potato that way?
Duodenum is the first section of our small intestine; duodenum means its length is about 12 times with width of our fingers.
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Tanya Salvi
praty005@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Masters of Communication
[Recently (September 2021) graduated from – Bachelor’s of Communication & Media]
I had not planned to be a part of the USASA board initially, and was introduced to it by my friend Dinuk, the 2021 USASA Postgraduate Representative. Being an international student, my experience in Australia has been quite challenging yet exciting. I consider myself as the ‘people’s person’, always wanting to give back to the community. Over the years, I have actively taken part in volunteering for non-profit organizations. This year, I have also been elected as the Vice-head of Curation for the TedxUniSA 2021-22. One of the main reasons that made me want to become a student representative was to use everything that I have learnt throughout my communications degree, in advocating for students’ rights and needs, and further amplifying their voices for a better university experience.
These last two years have not been easy due to the pandemic. During the outdoor campaigning week, I had brief chat with several students regarding their problems at university. Majority of the responses were directed at not being able to participate in on-campus activities. Luckily, the restrictions have eased down and my focus would be planning exciting activities and increasing on-campus events, ensuring all students have a wonderful year at the uni. I believe it is very important to have a social life along with studying. Apart from that, I would also like to focus on crucial matters regarding some of the courses, and the safety of students at the university (on/off campus)
In my first year of undergrad at UniSA, I studied at the Magill campus, which was also my home campus at that time. Even though I loved being at Magill due to its peaceful and calm environment, I always felt as if something was missing and that was probably because of my upbringing in the most loud and crowded city of India – Mumbai. Thanks to UniSA for offering multiple courses at multiple campuses, I was able to choose all of my subjects at the City West campus. I cannot point on one single thing that makes this campus so amazing, but if I had to, it would probably be due to its location in the city and the walking distance from West Oaks where I like to grab chilled beers and relax on a hot summer day at uni.
I would just like to quote my late friend Avicii, “One day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember..” * insert crying emoji * But seriously – why are you still here ? Get involved in the amazing clubs and use all the resources at your disposal – Trust me it helps!
In SA, Hands down – Second Valley / Rapid Bay
The Big Bird – I made those two Adelaide men famous lmao
Creamy mashed WHITE potatoes – Sweet potato lovers kindly move to the next question :(
After reading over 200 facts, I have a headache, but here we go,
Between 1912 and 1948, Olympic medals were also handed out for creative practices such as music, architecture, art, literature and sculpture
View their board blog posts here
Hayate Yamada
yamhy003@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business (Management)
To be able to positively improve the university for all students and be involved in the university community
To create a university community that meets all student's needs through activities and increased support for clubs.
The proximity to great cafes.
Relax. Stressing never helps in any situation.
Renmark
If I were a bird, I would be an owl. Owls look wise and seem to be observant birds.
Mashed potato
Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
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Michelle Emery
emesy002@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Bachelor of Psychology (Honors).
I want to advocate for the students at the Magill campus. To listen and make a difference wherever I can.
I will work collaboratively with the other board members to positively influence your university life. My main goal is to listen and advocate for students of the Magill campus to ensure your voice is heard, and your needs are meet while studying at UniSA.
We are lucky at Magill to have a campus with so much open space and nature. It really is peaceful.
Connect with each other and have fun while studying.
Any quiet beach will do.
Gosh, I don’t know. I love canaries at the pet shop, they are so calm and friendly.
Nothing beats eating hot chips at the beach on a hot summer’s night straight right out the paper with family.
Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
View their board blog posts here
Trisha Banga
banty008@mymail.unisa.edu.au
I’m studying a Bachelor of Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) (Honours).
I first got involved in leadership in Year 11, because during the weekly lunchtime meetings held on Mondays, we were allowed to eat inside school. I hated eating outside in Adelaide weather. Once I joined, I got involved in activities I enjoyed such as planning Formal and managing the casual day gold coin donations for different charities. Soon, I realized how much I could do by contributing and helping my school be a more welcoming place for everyone. When I was presented with the opportunity to get more involved at uni and enhance the student experience, I was ready to take on the challenge. Student representation has been some of my most rewarding experiences.
My aim is to help support students back onto in-person lectures and tutorials. Lectures have been online for almost the entirety of my university experience now, barring a few weeks. As excited as I am to be back in those movie-like lecture halls, I know that it will overwhelming and intimidating. We’re all still creating the new normal after the pandemic and I want to provide any support and assistance I can to ensure that this transition is just as smooth for everyone.
I know it’s the typical answer, but the greenery at Magill is truly so relaxing and serene and helps calm me down on stressful days. If the sun didn’t reflect on my laptop screen, I’d always sit on the grass and study.
Don’t miss classes. That’s the mistake I made at first. Classes are your best bet to make so many friends.
Due to the lockdown and limitations on interstate travel, I’ve made a few trips to Mannum in the past couple years. It has been the perfect escape from every day life for a few days, enjoying the riverside and peaceful nights under the stars.
Birds are government surveillance drones, but if I have to choose I’ve got the grace and elegance of a dove.
You can never go wrong with roast potatoes.
The fact that colour doesn’t really exist. We just attribute things colours based on how our eyes and brain perceive them. I remember my mind being blown when I first learnt this in my cognitive psychology class.
View their board blog posts here
Gagan Kaur
kaugy023@mymail.unisa.edu.au
Bachelor of Mathematics (Data Science)
All my life I have been involved in leadership roles; it is something that comes naturally to me. I had planned on not taking up any such roles at uni because of other responsibilities. But I saw certain gaps that could be filled in the system and certain changes that could be made that would make everyone’s experience at uni so much better. I couldn’t stop but step up and be the one who initiates that change instead of waiting around for someone else to do it.
I would like to strengthen and improve the student support services at uni and ensure that no student feels like their voices and concerns are not being heard. I strive to be the representative students can share their ideas and visions with and have faith in. Moreover, I would also love to work on increasing engagement in clubs and hold more social events.
The parking.
Be pro-active, right from the start. There’s so much to do at uni besides just studying. Make sure you make the most out of your time at uni because you never know when you’ll get another experience like this. The clubs and volunteering are a great start.
The Art Gallery of South Australia. I feel at so much peace every time I go there. 100% my happy place.
Blue-footed booby because the cute feet.
Jeera Aloo is the supreme way to have potatoes, change my mind.
The plastic/metal tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, A-G-L-E-T! Aglet! Don't forget it
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Sam Bhattacharjee
bhasy035@mymail.unisa.edu.au
I’m currently Studying a Bachelor of IT
I wanted to be a student representative because I believed that I could make a difference for my peers at Mawson Lakes.
in 2022 I am aiming to be as active as possible in USASA and on campus for Mawson Lakes students!
The best thing About Mawson Lakes is the Zambrero’s!
Make sure you balance study and life! Don’t do too much of either one and you’ll have the best Uni experience
My Favorite place to visit in Australia is the Box Hill shopping Centre in Melbourne, every time I visit my hometown, I make sure to stop by for the food the practically raised me!
If I were a bird I’d be an Andean Condor, with one of the largest wingspans in the world, it is one of the coolest birds of prey.
Fried.
Fairy Floss was invented by a dentist.
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Amy Djite
djiay002@mymail.unisa.edu.au
A Bachelor of Psychological Science and Sociology
I have a passion for community and equality, becoming a student representative enables me to be the voice for online students to ensure we have our say in UniSA
More online visibility and connection
I’m online, so it is being at home and studying in between life
Enjoy the process, the end result will be well worth it.
Wherever my friends and family are.
A Dove, they bring peace
Fries!!
The Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise lived to be 175 years old
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Ashleigh Quilliam
quiab002@mymail.unisa.edu.au
I am studying a Bachelor of Social Work.
The idea of being a Student Representative was somewhat daunting to me and that is why I chose to nominate myself. I decided to step outside of my comfort zone, to grow my interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
I hope to foster a sense of belonging for students attending the Whyalla Campus, by listening to their voice and advocating for their interests and wellbeing. I aim to be a supporter for all students, encouraging them to thrive. I would like to be a part of creating opportunities for students to come together and make the most of their university experience.
The people.
Create boundaries and learn to prioritize. “There’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done” (Morake & Twille, 1994, The Circle of Life). You can run yourself ragged trying to meet your own standards and expectations from others but remember you can’t fill an empty cup.
My favourite place to visit in Australia is Baird Bay. Up until a couple of years ago there was no phone service until you climbed to the top of the lookout. It was the perfect escape. There are always plenty of fish to catch and swimming with the seals is a wonder. The last time I swam at Baird’s, a little baby seal was trying to play with the anchor rope of our boat. When I cautiously approached for a better view, the seal thought I was the perfect playmate and started nudging and nibbling on my wetsuit. It was a little scary, but certainly memorable.
Before getting to know someone, people tend to make assumptions about who they think that person is based on their own experience and worldview. Like a crow, I am not always what I am perceived to be. Crows are often depicted in popular culture as a bad omen. Though there is more to these birds than meets the eye. They have brilliant memories and will repay kindness.
Fries for sure, but not too greasy.
You were born with 300 bones. If you are now an adult, you have 206 bones.
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