Charlie Backshall
As a candidate for President of the Postgraduate Students’ Association (PSA), I recognize the vital role our organization plays in ensuring that UWA’s postgraduate students never feel isolated. Pursuing postgraduate studies is an extraordinary testament to your courage and ambition, and I am committed to leveraging this platform to champion initiatives that empower every student within our community.
My passion for student politics is rooted in the belief that education should be accessible to all. I aim to elevate marginalized voices and advocate for equitable resources, fostering a culture of collective responsibility while creating safe spaces for open discussions. It is my goal to ensure that every student, regardless of financial background, educational history, or family circumstances, has the opportunity to realize their full potential.
My Experience
As I approach the end of my first year in the Juris Doctor, I have served as the Public Relations Officer for the PSA in 2024. During this time, we implemented several initiatives to build a vibrant community among postgraduate students. Listening to your feedback, we introduced events like the PSA Connect series and Collegial Conversations, which focus on unity and collaboration. In 2023, I was proud to contribute to the launch of UDUB Radio, a platform designed to amplify student voices and encourage creative expression beyond academics.
Beyond the guild, my volunteer work with Teach Learn Grow and Uni Camp for Kids has deepened my understanding of the various barriers students face on their path to higher education. These experiences have also strengthened my leadership, management, and public speaking skills, preparing me to advocate effectively for our community.
My Vision
I am eager to build on the momentum of the 2024 PSA. I will prioritize the conversation around paid placements, ensuring that all students have access to essential opportunities. Additionally, I aim to provide education on financial resources, such as Centrelink eligibility, and collaborate with the Guild to subsidize essential items, especially in light of the current cost-of-living crisis. I also plan to work closely with the International Students’ Department to address the unique challenges faced by international students and support them in any way possible.
My commitment is to foster a connected and supportive postgraduate community. I pride myself on being approachable and open to feedback, and I am dedicated to using the PSA to uplift and empower every student.
Together, we can create a thriving environment where no one is left behind. I appreciate your support and would be honoured to serve as your President.
Kush Rathore
I, Kush Rathore, am excited to nominate myself for the role of Vice-President (Coursework) in the PSA Committee. I believe my diverse academic, leadership, and professional experiences have prepared me to contribute effectively to the postgraduate community.
In 2024, I served as an Ordinary Committee Member (OCM) with Optometry Students Western Australia (OSWA), a role that has been instrumental in developing my event management and teamwork skills. Working closely with fellow committee members, I helped organize events that enhanced both the academic and social experiences of optometry students. This experience taught me the importance of creating a supportive network for students, particularly in fostering a sense of belonging and stronger engagement within our field. Through this role, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges students face and the need for responsive leadership to address them.
In addition to my work with OSWA, my role as a Research Assistant has further shaped my ability to lead and collaborate effectively. At Curtin University, I co-designed a mental health initiative aimed at supporting young people affected by climate change and disasters. My work involved collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring our efforts were youth-centered and met real needs. This project emphasized my ability to translate research into actionable insights, as I co-authored a policy brief distributed to key agencies. Additionally, my work as a Research Assistant at the University of Melbourne focused on a narrative review exploring responses to youth loneliness. This strengthened my research, communication, and collaboration skills—abilities that would benefit the PSA Committee.
If elected, I will prioritize establishing regular open forums and feedback channels where coursework students can raise concerns, ensuring that all voices are heard and addressed. I also plan to work closely with academic departments to create tailored support programs, such as workshops on thesis writing, research methods, and career development for coursework postgraduate students. These initiatives will help students navigate the challenges of postgraduate study while developing key skills for their future careers.
In addition to these programs, I will collaborate with lecturers and departments to promote clear, transparent communication on course structures, assessment methods, and expectations. This will ensure students are informed and can manage their academic responsibilities more effectively. Importantly, I will advocate for mandatory lecture transcription across all schools, ensuring equitable access to learning materials. This policy would support diverse learning needs, including students with disabilities, and help those with varying schedules succeed.
My experiences with OSWA, alongside my professional roles, have equipped me with the skills, perspective, and commitment needed to make a meaningful impact on the PSA Committee. I am eager to apply these skills to advocate for coursework students and contribute to the collaborative environment that will enhance the postgraduate experience for all.
Manasvini Sharma
I, Manasvini Sharma, am running to be your Vice-President (Engagement) for Postgraduate Students Association (PSA) in 2025. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biomedical Science with a major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Having started my postgraduate journey in 2024 at UWA as an international student, navigating the social norms of university has been tough. While PSA has been a representative body for postgraduate students, there is so much more that needs to be done to not only support but to increase networking opportunities for postgraduate students so that they can leave this University with more than just a degree. Through my journey at UWA, I have come to appreciate the unique challenges faced by postgraduate students and recognize the importance of fostering a strong, inclusive community that supports both personal and academic growth.
As Vice-President (Engagement), my primary goal will be to enhance the role of PSA in creating a more dynamic and interactive postgraduate environment. I plan to work collaboratively with the PSA leadership team to ensure that all students, regardless of their background or area of study, feel represented and supported. By improving communication channels—both through digital platforms and face-to-face interactions—I intend to keep postgraduate students informed about PSA initiatives, events, and opportunities for involvement.
My priority in 2025, is to increase connectivity between students and industry professionals by hosting casual networking mixers in a relaxed setting. Furthermore, considering our multicultural community, I believe in the importance of collaborating with relevant stakeholders to bring events which celebrate our diverse cultures aimed at promoting inclusivity and community engagement. Workshops and seminars on public speaking, career development, and research presentations are instrumental in promoting skill-building and collaboration. By managing the Engagement portfolio, I am looking to re-vitalise the social media platforms to promote PSA and increase visibility and facilitating connections within the community through effective and engaging marketing.
Currently serving as the Cultural Officer for Sanskriti, I am tasked with organising and participating in cultural events such as Spring Feast. These experiences have demonstrated to me the significance of cultural exchange in building connections among students from different backgrounds. Our diverse UWA community highlights the importance of starting conversations to help educate and bridge gaps between domestic and international students to foster meaningful relations.
My multicultural background, having been born in Chennai, India, and raised in Muscat, Oman, has shaped my passion for cultural representation and inclusivity. These values have been central to my work at UWA. Furthermore, I am committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and engagement within the postgraduate community. I will prioritize open dialogue with students and actively seek to address the diverse needs of all postgraduate students. I will work to create opportunities for students to connect, collaborate, and share their experiences, ensuring that PSA remains a vibrant and supportive organization for all.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my leadership experience, passion for engagement, and commitment to inclusivity to the role of Vice-President (Engagement) at PSA.
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