My name is Deepangika Pillai, a 3rd Year undergraduate student from RAIS. I am standing for the position of Executive of Well-Being for the year 2021-2022, because I would like to use this platform to ensure student well-being at Heriot-Watt is improved and by which the student body is empowered to become future-ready. I can provide a fresh take and an impartial view on University matters and thus make it a space that is tailor-made for the students. 

What is going to change?

Set up an environment that facilitates open format discussions based around mental health with the aim of promoting understanding and removing stigma. 

Improve, strengthen and increase communication between the student body and the council, through drop-in sessions, mental health check-ins, suggestion boxes, and online forums - which can be anonymous or not depending on the student's need.

Increase participation and representation of Post-graduate and International Students  by improving communications with the council through forums, working groups, and awareness mechanisms to support them. 

Increase participation of students in social clubs, by implementing more inclusive events, and feedback forms to provide greater and more frequent recognition of student's achievements.

Work with the well-being advisors to conduct events that are tailor-made for the students.

Why me?

I am adaptable, open-minded, empathetic, extremely hard-working and a proactive worker.

Being a student council member all throughout high school, and a club president has definitely trained me to excel in this post.

I have organized and participated in multiple cultural and sport events which have taught me problem-solving and time management skills, as well as the stress and well-being related issues a student can face.

It would be my honour, to represent you as your Well-Being Executive and I promise to ensure that the well-being of the students and faculty will be positively impacted.