Team

For me, APS is something that helped me survive and adapt when I first came to Australia. Moving to a new country, culture, and environment was not easy, but APS made it a little less hard. It helped me build friendships and find people I could rely on. APS gave me so much, and I wanted to do something in return. That is why I joined APS as a volunteer. Through volunteering, I got the chance to meet students, help with events, and understand how important this association is for postgraduate students like me. Later, I became an Ambassador Officer and helped organise many APS events. That role made me understand what giving back to the community means. Now, applying for President feels like a big step, but it also feels right. I want to continue supporting APS, not only by helping at events, but by listening to students and making sure they feel welcomed and supported. I know how much this association can change someone’s postgraduate journey because it changed mine. I would be grateful for the chance to give back to APS in a bigger way.

I have seen to the advocacy and support of many HDR-related matters, particularly those concerning the Graduate School’s admissions and support policies. This year’s most significant accomplishment was securing ongoing annual funding for the CDF programme through University funds, removing it from the uncertain SSAF application process. This represents a lasting benefit for the HDR community and required strong collaboration with the executive committee and support from the offices of the DVC(A) and DVC(RI). We have expanded the ECG programme, helping international students navigate Australian culture and communication. We have also undertaken a comprehensive redesign of the Academic Editing programme, which will provide higher-quality support for HDR students. For 2026, I plan to continue this advocacy work while completing the CAPA HDR Stipend Campaign report examining student experiences under the current stipend model, implementing the redesigned Academic Editing programme, and expanding the ECG programme. I also intend to work closely with the Policy Coordinator to strengthen our representation across University boards and committees, ensuring the APS remains the respected voice for postgraduate students at UQ.

I believe APS is now entering a decisive moment: one where strong governance, principled leadership, and a deeply student-centred vision matter more than ever. Over the past several years, I have served postgraduate students across multiple levels of the higher education landscape: as an elected member of the UQ Senate, the first postgraduate President of the UQ Union, and the Board Chair of the Association of Postgraduate Students. I have also represented national postgraduate interests through the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA). These roles have given me a comprehensive understanding of institutional power, university governance, and the structural conditions shaping research training in Australia. They have also taught me the importance of creating spaces where postgraduate voices are not simply included, but actively shape decision-making. My academic background, spanning a PhD in higher education policy, postgraduate coursework at several universities, and teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels; means I understand both the structural and lived dimensions of the postgraduate experience. The lens through which I work is shaped by my background as the grandson of migrants who believed deeply in education as a pathway to empowerment. It is also informed by my research in governance, power, and policy: a reminder that representation is never neutral, and that leadership requires ongoing reflexivity, responsibility, and courage.

Trust is earned through accountability, resourcefulness and responsible stewardship. These are the principles I would bring to APS as the treasurer. It is imperative to support postgraduate students and foster a strong connected academic community. Sound financial competency is central to ensuring APS can continue with integrity and good governance.

My academic background has provided me with analytical skills and attention to detail towards problem solving. These experiences have developed my appreciation for accuracy and responsibility, qualities that are equally important in a student organisation’s finances. Effective management of the society’s resources helps provide a stable foundation for its activities and support the continued growth of APS.

I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my skills in support of APS and its members with reliability and I respectively ask for your consideration within this election.

Even though my journey at APS started out of admiration for the work of a close friend, APS has quickly become a defining part of my postgraduate life. APS has given me a space to find genuine, long-lasting connections and a sense of wellbeing. As an aspiring counsellor, I understand the importance of creating such safe spaces for peers to connect, feel valued, and build a community together.

Beyond the community, I am full of gratitude for the diligent work APS has done across other advocacy initiatives, from support programs, professional development to ensuring postgraduate students are well represented within the wider UQ community. These experiences have motivated me to take a step forward in regards to my position at APS. I believe that the Secretary role will allow me to deepen my involvement in student governance and actively champion the initiatives that give back to the very community that shaped my UQ experience.

My time as a Welfare Officer has given me a solid understanding of the administrative process, as well as providing emotional support for my fellow postgraduate students. Additionally, my background as a co-chair for an undergraduate student organisation and organising multiple student-centered events over the past years have enabled me to work with flexibility, patience, and a supportive attitude.