2021 MUSA president candidates: A brief introduction
The three candidates for the position of MUSA president in 2021 all come from very different backgrounds, but the one thing that links them all is a shared eagerness to make big changes in a variety of areas.
The incumbent MUSA president Stefan Biberstein is aiming to continue the work he has started in the role this year for yet another year.
“Two-year presidents are great for the organisation; they allow for continuity and a kind of intergenerational knowledge between executives. Relationships with external organisations and both Massey and MUSA staff remain intact to be strengthened instead of rebuilt.”
Despite still looking to win, he welcomes the fact that there is more competition this year.
“It's been quite a compliment to see how many students want to be involved with MUSA, particularly on the executive. I think it's indicative of some of the great work myself and the team have done this year. Students have seen what MUSA is capable of and want to be a part of it.”
Student housing remains the major issue on which Biberstein is campaigning on with promises to further develop more MUSA flats, given the opportunity with reelection next year.
Youngest candidate Fatima Imran has some strong thoughts on why change is needed instead, and what makes her the one suited to bring it.
“I believe MUSA is supposed to be the link between students and the management, but since I have been studying at Massey (two years), it has not been apparent for my peers and me… What I believe that I can offer that is currently not been done is to be an effective liaison between the students and the faculty.”
Her major campaign issue is around ensuring that Massey does a better job putting its students into contact with potential employers for work experience and internship opportunities that complement their courses.
She makes a comparison to internship days and career expos on offer at other universities, compared to lackluster Massey efforts.
“I have been an intern at KPMG for the past two years in Auckland, and I have not managed to meet any Massey interns… we are informed about opportunities late or not at all, thus causing students to miss big career-changing chances.”
However, she has a solution in mind.
“What I am planning to do is to contact key companies to schedule days where Massey students can get exposed to such opportunities. I am also planning on starting a website where Massey students can go and see the companies that are offering internships/scholarship or apprenticeship throughout New Zealand.”
As a newcomer, Imran said that students may recognise her from the Agriculture and Business schools as well as public talks she has done at Massey. She has also featured in newspapers before speaking on agriculture.
In comparison, fellow candidate Ariana Buckley is looking to make changes that include promoting more peer to peer help and networking between students through communal spaces such as the BASE lounge for Arts students. She believes this could be achieved through online groups on platforms such as Facebook.
She said, “There’s no hiding it, I’m a mature student and a bit older than most of the other candidates. I’m also a mother… I have lived in the real world and have a wealth of experience I would bring to the position. But I also appreciate the student experience and think that if you’re here then you’re pretty cool.”
She says that fellow students may recognize her from class or the BASE lounge.
“I am normally the loudmouth that always has something to say.”
When asked why students should trust her in the role, she said, “I am an open book. If you want to know anything, please just ask me… In my volunteer role in GirlGuiding I am used to being held accountable, and have pulled of many events, including a camp for 150 kids two weeks before lockdown; I even kept everyone alive, and uninjured which is a bonus.”