John Adithya, the current Postgraduate Volunteer Officer at Stirling’s Student Union, is running for Union President for 2025. John sat down with Brig and discussed his manifesto and what he can bring to the Union President Role.
Focus on Post-Grad Students:
After studying biotechnology at St George’s College in Bangalore, India, John now works as the Postgrad Volunteer Officer, and says that the gap between support for undergraduates versus postgrads needs to be shut. “The importance that is given to postgrad students is comparatively less than undergrad students, so I think the gap between that should be bridged”.
Part-Time Jobs:
One of John’s priorities as Union President is part-time jobs for students, when it comes to how we obtain them, and how workers are paid. “Minimum wages for students who are undergrads or under 18 don’t get the minimum wages, the wages are a little bit cheaper, so that was something I was looking into.” On how students get part-time jobs, John argues that companies should prioritise student workers: “Speaking from my understanding, any postgrad or undergrad student from a different country or an international outlook, the people who market it says that there are opportunities for them to get a part-time job, but no one gives them the reality. If there are opportunities, I think they have to be given priority to our students, so maybe collaborating with different companies, or getting into a position where anyone who is studying at the University of Stirling who needs a part-time job will get it immediately.” He added that this could be achieved by “talking to the existing companies and cafes anywhere around Stirling, or maybe even Falkirk or neighbouring cities”.
Other Policies:
John says that “right now, housing is one of the biggest issues that students are facing”, and related to this, John backs the No More UK Guarantors Campaign. “I would give my 100% support into it”. Additionally, he wants to propose rent discounts for students who are renting privately.
On transport, John has concerns about the recent price hike on bus tickets, and hopes to raise the age cap on free bus transport for under 22s. “The majority of post-grad students are in the age bracket of 23 to 25, so they have been omitted, but they are still in the category that they’re learning and don’t have a paid salary, so extending the Young Scot to postgrad students or to raise the cap from 23 to 25.” He hopes to achieve this in Stirling first, but “if possible, maybe even for Scotland”.
John also hopes to encourage better relationships with other universities by hosting inter-university competitions at the University of Stirling, keeping a focus on sport, but opening this up to non-physical competitions as well, “cultural activities like a debate, or any cultural activity, an essay competition, a competition over dance, over hip-hop, singing”. By hosting this on campus, “not just the students get exposure, but other students get the understanding of how the University of Stirling runs”.
On what inspired him to run for Union President, John commented:“It’s totally my experience, and the things that I’ve heard from my friends from people around me, I know what they are going through, and I know how they feel, because when it comes to support, they would share it with a friend. So in that kind of situation, you would only want to listen, but you want to make a change. But when it comes to making a change, no one will take a stand. So I thought, it’s time I take a stand.”
“I am not looking to get into power and express this but using this podium, or using this space, to make sure everyone gets their needs fulfilled. I am representing not just one person but all the students, so I just want to be transparent to all.”
Featured Image Credit: John Adithya
Voting for Stirling’s Student Union Elections open on the 25th of February and close on the 27th of February, with results announced on the 28th of February.
4th year Politics and Journalism student.
Secretary for Brig
The Herald Student Press Awards Columnist Of The Year 2024 (which sorry i’m still not over)
