Hi, my name is Manishta Sunnia. I grew up in Mauritius and came over to the UK to pursue further and higher education. I am currently studying environmental sciences and English studies at Oxford Brookes University, which is, I must add, the first fair-trade university in the country! :-)

My inspiration: my mum, Gandhi and everyone around me.

Favourite food: Indian, Chinese and lots of pizza!!!

I believe in free education, am an idealist, am a socialist and can be ruthless (but never dirty politics). I like to speak my mind (I find it difficult not to …), and I like to be honest (for me, it’s safe to be true and real).

I hate the small-mindedness that often goes with NUS and I think people should grow up, get the bigger picture, as well as sometimes realising that negotiation can be a way forward and, even though you have different opinions, you have got to work together! We are after all a national union of students.

Also if you’re in NUS solely for yourself, don’t bother…it’s not gonna work for you.

And no, I am not in any faction…I am too much of an individualist. I am a Green Party member (I am studying environmental sciences, after all)

I hate back-stabbers, liars and two-faced people. But then, who doesn’t.

I don’t promise to be perfect, but I promise to try. I believe in International Student Campaign and its purpose. So far that’s all I will say, see my election speech below (the delivery of it was awful, still don’t know how I won!!). I’ll add some piccies later.

Conference speech
Hi conference, my name is Manishta Sunnia, proudly standing as a candidate for the international student officer election. Yes conference, proudly, because I am proud to be an international student in this country, feeding into the economic stability, enjoying a good education, bringing in cultural diversity within the society and yes conference, proud of my strong track record as an active member of this National Union of Students. My close friends and supporters know this conference, and you know it, not only have I been a president of my union in college but have been an active in NUS nationally and regionally as well. I fought for the voices of international students to be heard in NUS and trust me conference, whether I lose of not, I will still fight on for you. I have ensured that this year, we do have a rep on National Council, I have pushed for unions to support the cause of having a fulltime international student officer, I have encouraged as many unions as possible to truly address the issues faced by international students in their institutions. Conference, these are many issues from tuition fees payment to visa charges, from plagiarism to racism, and if elected I will aim for this campaign, the whole national union to address these issues. Elect me, and I will deliver a campaign on the stop of the ridiculous fees increases for non-eu students. Elect me, and I will ensure that you get adequate support and representation from your unions, elect me and I will ensure that you will not go unheard and unrepresented on your visa issues and on your concerns of the biometric system. My standard and record in NUS has always been openness, accountability, honesty and always democratic. I have served this campaign for the last two year and more, elect me, to carry on, stronger. Elect me, for your rights, your voices to be stronger. Elect a strong, active and campaigning NUS International Student Campaign. Vote number one for Manishta Sunnia and second preference to re-open nominations.

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