YouAlberta
In the past month, the GSA has welcomed new members scheduled to begin their roles on May 1. Recently, I talked with current GSA members to gain insights into their experiences from the past year and their reflections on their time. I also had a chance to talk to incoming members about their expectations and aspirations. Toward the end, we covered some of the achievements of the GSA and outlined goals for the upcoming year.
The interview included:
- President Bishoi Aziz
- VP Student Life Tiffany Kung
- VP Academic Rija Kamran and Associate Vice-President Labour Muneeb Masood Raja (who will both continue in their position this coming year)
- VP Student Services Haseeb Arshad (who will assume the presidency next year)
- Saad Iqbal, the incoming VP Student Services
- Benjamin Kucher as the new VP Student Life
- Mariam Mughees, the future VP External
My initial question was about the most cherished memory from the previous year in GSA. Haseeb expressed that the GSA fall event stood out as the pinnacle of the year for him. Tiffany conveyed that the GSA coffee breaks were the highlight, serving as a platform to engage with fellow students and foster lovely connections. Muneeb mentioned that being able to speak with students, understanding their concerns and providing assistance in navigating and resolving challenges have been incredibly rewarding. Rija similarly reiterated this feeling and expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with remarkable individuals whom she may not have encountered otherwise. Bishoi reflected on every interaction with board members and how the board felt like a close family, emphasizing the strong bond they shared.
In subsequent discussions, the focus shifted to the skills they had honed over the past year. Tiffany highlighted her development in advocacy, underlining learning the difference between advocacy and activism. For her, the key question revolved around effectively advocating to the university while maintaining authenticity and genuinely representing student interests. This involved fostering respect and collaboration among diverse groups, managing multiple responsibilities and expressing gratitude for the supportive environment in the GSA.
Bishoi shared insights into the skills he cultivated, particularly in navigating the challenges of limited resources and competing groups. He emphasized the importance of framing requests effectively and customizing communication to resonate with the recipient. Additionally, he underscored the significance of organizational skills such as reporting, budget management and developing sustainable long-term plans, all while sharpening critical thinking abilities. Bishoi also highlighted the importance of understanding one's position and fostering relationships as crucial strategies for achieving goals effectively.
Muneeb mentioned this role has provided him with valuable leadership, advocacy, negotiation, communication and organizational skills. He talked about how this position has also provided him with the chance to attend numerous trainings and conferences during his tenure that enabled him to perform effectively in this role by providing insights into best practices and strategies for effective advocacy, as well as learning the latest developments in labour relations in the academic sector. He shared that these skills have not only contributed to his personal and professional growth but also positioned him as a capable and effective leader within the GSA and broader community.
Haseeb mentioned that his experience as VP of Student Services equips him well for the role of GSA President. He talked about how, throughout his tenure as VP, he led numerous programs and projects aimed at enhancing student life. Thus, his leadership skills, including effective delegation, sound decision-making and team management, were significantly strengthened during this time through interactions with staff, students and faculty. He also emphasized that he acquired valuable experience in conflict resolution. As he transitions into the role of GSA President, he plans to further refine these abilities while focusing on areas of improvement such as strategic planning, policymaking, outreach coordination, team management and financial oversight.
Transitioning to the new members, I delved into their aspirations for the upcoming year. Saad eagerly embraced his new role, drawing on his extensive volunteering experience and sociable nature. He recounted a personal anecdote from the COVID period, highlighting the scarcity of social interactions and his determination to foster connections and enhance everyone's experience in his position. Saad expressed a strong desire for increased interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, recognizing the importance of improving communication and organizational skills.
Mariam articulated her goal of delving into governance, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire for further exploration. She anticipated that communication skills would naturally develop as she pursued this goal.
Benjamin is the second Indigenous individual elected to the GSA board. He is dedicated to advancing Indigenous representation and initiatives within the organization. He also anticipates cultivating new connections and enhancing student engagement. With a rich background in student governance and leadership spanning five years, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate studies at the university, his primary goal is to address criticisms surrounding the effectiveness of student advocacy.
In our concluding discussion, GSA highlighted several significant achievements of this year:
- PhD minimum funding package: This year, significant progress was made as the GSA transitioned from initial discussions to having a draft proposal in writing from the FGPS. The GSA successfully secured a starting point guarantee and inclusion in the consultation process.
- Creation of a new vice president position: The GSA introduced a new role to commence in the 2025–2026 term, the Vice President of Indigenous Relations. This initiative aligns with the organization's commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation. The objective behind this position is to have dedicated representation for Indigenous graduate students both internally and externally.
- Development of the Peer Support Program: GSA held numerous meetings with the Dean of Students and other university departments to establish the framework for the new Peer Support Program.
- Office restructuring: The GSA initiated an innovative restructuring of its office operations, leveraging automation and AI technologies. This restructuring aims to streamline operations, reduce administrative burden and refocus efforts on strategic functions, ensuring higher efficiency and value for members.
Looking ahead to the future, the GSA has outlined several key plans and initiatives, including:
- Strategic work plan: The GSA's goal is to develop a 5-year strategic work plan with a 3-year implementation goal departing from the current approach of solely relying on short-term annual plans. This plan will provide subsequent boards with a roadmap, offering stability for GSA initiatives and ensuring continuity of efforts.
- Advocacy at the federal level: The GSA plans to advocate at the federal level, focusing on advocating for increases in Tri-Council funding and supporting immigration streams for students.
- Use of AI tools and data analysis: To enhance the association's effectiveness, the GSA aims to further strengthen its skills in using AI tools for data analysis and strategic decision-making.
- Student Experience Action Plan (SEAP) Initiatives: The GSA will remain integral to SEAP, and detailed documentation regarding ongoing initiatives will be handed over to the new board.
A comprehensive report detailing GSA accomplishments for this year and strategic plans for the next year will be available on April 15, following the final council meeting of the academic year.
For any further inquiries, the GSA welcomes you to visit their website and explore the available resources.