Kia ora koutou katoa,
Welcome to the University of Auckland – Waipapa Taumata Rau, and welcome to the very first edition of our student magazine, Craccum, for 2023!
My name is Alan Shaker and I have the privilege of being your Student Body President this year at the Auckland University Students’ Association (AUSA). AUSA does three key things: Student Voice, Student Support, and Student Experience. Student Voice is about representing the voice of 46,000 students on the highest decision-making committees at the University. Student Support is about providing support for our students, when and where they need it. Whether it be through our financial hardship grants, our free, independent and confidential advocacy service, or through our safe spaces for students – we are here to support you! Lastly, Student Experience is the cool s**t we do! Whether it be O-Week, a party on Alfred Street, pub quizzes and bingos in Shadows (proudly owned by AUSA), or regular themed weeks – we are here to make sure your University experience is like no other!
To introduce myself a little bit, I am a 5th year student studying a BA/BSc (majors in History, Politics, and Exercise Sciences). Prior to my role as President, I served on the AUSA Executive for two years as the Education Vice-President. I grew up in the mighty South Auckland and am everyday grateful for the sacrifices my family have made, fleeing a war-zone in their homeland, to make a better life for their kids. When I (eventually) graduate, I plan to become a secondary school teacher, so that I can inspire the next generation of youth to make positive change in society.
As President, my job is to lead our wonderful and diverse Executive team to make sure the student association is heading in the right direction and best serving YOU! I am incredibly privileged to be in my role, but I am even more privileged to see the hard mahi that the committed team at AUSA do for our students on a day to day basis.
We kick off O-Week with an amazing Orientation Festival and finish off Wednesday night with an amazing street concert right here on Alfred Street! We haven’t had the luxury of having a “normal” O-Week for the last 2 years, so please make the most of it! The AUSA team has worked extremely hard for months and months to be able to put on this awesome week for you! My advice? Get involved! Get up on stage for that challenge, sign up for that club, have a cheeky beverage in Shadows! University life can be very short, so my best piece of advice to any new students would be to get involved as much as possible! These can be the best few years of your life…
This year, with a Curriculum Transformation taking place, a Student Voice Framework being developed, international students back on campus, there is no doubt the University of Auckland will have a busy year! Make no mistake, AUSA will be doing our best to ensure that the University keeps students as the #1 priority across all of these exciting developments.
Don’t forget, my job as AUSA President is to represent you! I have an open door policy, so if you want to pop into the AUSA House, come in and have a yarn! Similarly, if you have any suggestions for AUSA you are more than welcome to flick me an email on president@ausa.org.nz. Otherwise, you can catch me in Shadz!
Be safe, be kind, and enjoy yourselves!
Best,
Alan Shaker
Your Student Body President
