Jonathan Lew (PhD) – President Candidate
Hello, I am a 2nd year PhD student and I am running to be president of ECEGSA. I was previously a software lead for the undergrad design team UBC Thunderbots and I am currently an ECE lab ambassador, and I think these roles help prepare me to lead ECEGSA. I believe that ECEGSA has an important role to play in improving ECE grad student well-being and supporting academic excellence and professional development.
If elected president, I would aim to continue events we had this year, such as the popular tea house event. I would also like to promote research collaborations and academic excellence through student lightning talks, where a student can give a short presentation about a research topic.
Arshia Moghimi (MASc) – Secretary Candidate
Hello, my name is Arshia and I am excited to be running for the Secretary role in the ECEGSA. As someone who enjoyed participating in the ECEGSA events last year, my goal is to contribute to the success of future events and gatherings by effectively managing administrative tasks and ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable experience.
During my undergraduate studies, I gained valuable experience in managing and participating in student-held events and associations. I understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration, and I am confident in my ability to work with others to achieve common goals.
Most importantly, I am passionate about getting to know people and working with them. As the Secretary, I would strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. I believe that this is essential for fostering a strong sense of community within the ECEGSA.
Overall, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as the Secretary and contribute to the success of the ECEGSA.
I’ll do my best to listen to your academic concerns and bring them up to the influential people that can affect processes and make changes based on student needs. In terms of events, my focus will be on the quality of events over their quantity. I will ensure that your time is well spent and you learn something useful.
Andrew Gunter (PhD) – Treasurer Candidate
I was elected Chairman of my undergraduate Engineering Society at another university two years in a row, so I’ve seen the financial dynamic of similar organizations before. As treasurer, I would maintain transparent and continuous communication of the ECEGSA’s financial portfolio while being easy to reach for necessary monetary processing and staying personally involved in other ECEGSA activities.
Wanwen Chen (PhD) – VP Academic Candidate
Hello! I am Wanwen, currently a second-year PhD student, and I am running for VP Academic.
As a candidate for VP Academic, my goal is to help graduate students navigate their careers or research. I believe that everyone has unique strengths that we can build on, and I am committed to creating a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere to foster our exploration and growth!
In the upcoming year, my plans include:
- Professional development workshops: I will host workshops that cover topics including resume building, interview skills, conference presentation and academic writing. Besides resources inside our department, I will also seek collaboration with the UBC career center to provide training opportunities.
- Social events: I am keen to host networking events with alumni and industry professionals including Industry and Alumni Nights. I also hope to provide more opportunities to connect students with senior students or alumni who can provide valuable guidance and support.
From my experience in navigating my own career, I understand the importance of having access to resources and support. I have enjoyed my life in UBC and I appreciate the opportunities I have had to learn and network. Therefore, I am excited about the prospect of serving as VP Academic and providing these opportunities for others, and I am always interested in hearing from you about your needs and concerns!
Malinda Gunathilaka (MASc) – VP Communications Candidate
My goal is to create a good communication channel between the students and the ECEGSA. Also creating awareness of the events through designing creative content and using the social media platforms to attract graduate students to be more involved.
As experience, I am currently the “Marketing Guru” of our lab, maintaining our labs’ website and Linkedin page. Also I was the Secretary of IEEE YP Sri Lanka in the year 2022. I was also the Organizer of the Faculty of Engineering Media Club in my previous University. I have been actively involved in many clubs and societies during my undergrad years. I believe these past experiences will help me perform to the best of my abilities for this position.
Navid Zare Kashani (PhD) – VP Sports Candidate
As an avid sports enthusiast, I believe I would be an excellent fit for this role, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the organization by organizing and promoting sports events.
I have been passionate about sports from a young age and have played a variety of sports, including volleyball, swimming, and cycling. I find playing sports in a group setting to be a great way to build camaraderie, develop teamwork skills, and have fun.
As the Vice President Sport, I am committed to promoting physical activity and fostering a sense of community among graduate students through sports. I am confident that my passion for sports, leadership skills, and experience in organizing sports events will enable me to make a positive contribution to the ECEGSA.
I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in more detail and how I can contribute to ECEGSA’s mission, which is helping graduate students to unwind from the pressure they feel throughout their program by engaging in social activities.