Chinmayanand Ingale

Hi everyone! 

My name is Chinmayanand Ingale. I am an MA Global Media Management student and I’m running to be your Union President. 

If elected, I will strive to provide better support for equality, diversity and inclusion within SUSU and the University to Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, provide equal opportunities and events, introduce SUSU shops and concessions on food (cafe meals at £3.5) at all campuses. Extra shuttle bus during peak hours, weekly activities on sustainability, increase support for smaller clubs and societies, secure captioning on all the university lectures. In conclusion, create a reliable system for the well-being of students.

My experience

Experience as Cultural Secretary at Mumbai University Students’ Council. After the government declared the university a silent zone, we organised the first silent disco in India with 3500+ students participating. During my tenure, I led the Council, ensured Council presence at all campuses, and acted as a Trustee of the Council. 

(silent disco event link - https://tinyurl.com/n26snfuk , media coverage - https://tinyurl.com/4ntcs75v)

I developed a start-up called ‘The Ecolution’ based on sustainable living. We created stationery products that were made of paper with seeds in them. The full product can be planted after use. We created awareness at 30+ universities.

( https://www.instagram.com/the_ecolution/)  

What changes will I bring?

As a student from the Winchester campus, it seems unfair for me to travel to the Highfield campus for events or daily amenities at the SUSU shop. I will prioritise equal opportunities making events more accessible to the Winchester, Waterfront, Southampton General Hospital, Avenue, and Boldrewood Innovation Campus. I will also introduce the SUSU shop on all campuses.

It is often challenging for international students whose native language is not English to understand what is taught in online lectures. Therefore, I assure you that all the recorded lectures will have captioning.

As a student, cooking meals during the weekdays is strenuous. I will introduce a meal at £3.5 in the cafes on all campuses.

I have seen people have to let the shuttle bus go when it is full and wait for the next, which comes after an hour. I have also faced issues booking a safety bus from Highfield and being left stranded at the campus late at night. I will provide an extra shuttle bus during peak hours and hassle-free safety bus booking until 4 am on the weekends. 

Opportunities to set up stalls for students by students will be provided to encourage engagement in all types of creativity, and there will be events and competitions on sustainability at each campus every week.

I was always said to have high and difficult goals set, but challenges are an opportunity to explore beyond the horizon. For instance, the journey from organising the first silent disco in India, having a sustainable start-up at 19, to studying MA in the UK took much work, but I achieved it. I believe that I am ready to be your next Union President.