Pronouns: He/Him

Introduction

Hi! I’m Karim, and I’m running to get re-elected as your VP for Welfare. I graduated from the university in 2024, and bring the skills I’ve developed during my psychology degree to the welfare work I do. I’m Finnish and Singaporean, enjoy films in all forms, and when you can’t find me kickboxing or floorballing, you can find me cooking or in the zone building LEGO, or watching football.

What are your three priorities for the year?

Improving mental health support

• Reduce the stigma around talking about mental health
• Working with charities to provide mental health support and training
• Mental health support provided by the university needs to engage students at all levels and provide consistent support throughout their time at the university

Safety, inclusivity and sense of belonging

• We have a diverse campus with students from all around the world: we should be celebrating this diversity and ensuring everyone feels at home
• Ensure Aberdeen is a safe place for our students to live in
• Working with our Liberation forums to provide safe spaces for our protected liberation groups
• Expanding sanitary product availability to all bathrooms

Better student housing rights

• Fight rent increases to student accommodations, something my work in the national housing campaign has addressed
• Our students deserve to live in good conditions, have the same rights as any tenant, in flats that are repaired with quality standards
• Students should not be choosing between paying for rent, food or a social life during a cost-of-living crisis

What unique skill/knowledge can you bring to the role to stand out from the other candidates?

The knowledge I bring to this role are the 8 months I have already been your VP for Welfare. Before that, I have taken on various roles in committees during my time at the university, including president, vice-president, and treasurer. Before these roles, I have been a peer mediator and tutor. The unique skillset I bring to this role is my multiculturality and my people skills, which I use to bridge gaps between individuals and find agreements and common ground. Being multicultural has meant struggling to find my place, but it has helped me develop bonds between people all to work towards a better future for students.

What do you think is the biggest issue that students are facing at the moment and how do you plan to tackle it?

The biggest issue facing students now is the ongoing mental health crisis. Mental health impacts us on many levels, from our relationships to academic performance to our social networks and the clubs and societies we are in. At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing student accommodation prices are making it more difficult for students to take care of themselves and their mental health. The Student Mental Health Agreement review I am currently working on will address these aspects, taking a holistic approach to improving students’ mental health in concrete and achievable ways – which the SU and university will deliver. At the same time, we need to work with our clubs and societies to take care of students in the communities they feel safe in, as these can be the points of first contact and support.