Ebrahim: “Most people are aware of the recent proposed tuition increases. A very important issue to engineering students. I have been involved with ESS in taking action to try to come to a reasonable solution for both the university administration and the student body.

“Another important issue: quality of education in the faculty. The Schulich School of Engineering is becoming a very attractive and competitive school for engineering. With the new Energy Environment Experiential Learning Building and renovations to other facilities coming on stream soon, I would like to work alongside our faculty administration to ensure a student perspective is in these projects.

“Technical competence is not enough for success and I think it is very important for engineering students to understand to be successful they need to work on their soft skills. There are many opportunities – clubs and organizations – for students at the Schulich to get involved and gain practical learning and soft skills. Outside the classroom learning, it’s very important to provide and increase opportunities for students to become involved.”

 Q How will your engineering education skills be useful?

Vien: “As the current yearbook director for the Schulich, overseeing the project and the committee has given me great management and people skills. I am sure this experience will help me to better represent the faculty.

“As well, I have attended sessions to improve my own public speaking skills, which will be important when I propose ideas to the Students’ Legislative Council.”

Ebrahim: “Engineering students are taught to be critical thinkers, seeing problems and finding solutions. The heavy course load in engineering has increased my time management skills. I believe thinking critically and being able to manage my time efficiently will be very useful in this position.

“I will balance academic work and duties as engineering representative. Also, make sure I do my best to find solutions to problems that arise or provide ideas to further improve the experience of all engineering students at the U of C.

Q What do you hope to accomplish during your term?

Vien: “My primary goal is to improve the quality of engineering student life on campus by increasing the number and quality of study spaces, particularly around the engineering building. I also aim to utilize the SU resources to support engineering clubs by providing funding for events and improvements to department homerooms.

“I plan to make engineering more sustainable by investigating and implementing ways to reduce electricity and paper consumption in faculty buildings, by switching from paper to computer instructor ratings and turning off computers at night.

“Lastly, to fight recent proposed tuition increases by informing students of the situation and protesting at every available opportunity. I will work to increase the number of bursaries offered to engineering students in financial need.”

Ebrahim: “Having served with the ESS, I feel there is a gap of communication between the SU and ESS. I would like to investigate why this is and what can be done to bring the two organizations closer together. Good communication is the foundation of success and establishing a link will lead to further success for both.

“I would also like to ensure that the voice of engineering students is heard wherever it is relevant, and that no decision that impacts the engineering student body is made without our input, at the faculty or the university level.”

PHOTOS
Vien Nguyen	Ebrahim Kohandel
THEY’RE READY New Students’ Union engineering representatives Vien Nguyen and Ebrahim Kohandel are eager to start their term.