Interview with Adnan Shahab | UOA Council Student Rep Candidate
Interview with Adnan Shahab | Vote now in the University Council Student Rep Elections!
University Council Student Rep Elections are on NOW! Vote here! Elections close at 12 pm on Tuesday, 14 October. Check out interviews with some of the other candidates on our website. More on the elections can be found here.
What are you studying at UOA? What’s been your most rewarding and most challenging paper, and what did you learn from each?
I am completing an 18-month Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies.
Most rewarding
POLITICS 701 – Research Design. It sharpened my question-craft, ethics protocols, and methodological discipline (from process-tracing to mixed methods). I now can produce tighter, decision-grade researchable products.
Most challenging
POLITICS 770 – Ethnic Conflict and Civil War. Dense theory and contentious cases pushed me to translate scholarship into practical tools for prevention, protection and policy.
Will you remain enrolled and available to serve the full two-year term?
Yes, hopefully. My masters runs 18 months and I intend to continue into a PhD at the University of Auckland. So, technically, I ll be a student for more than two years and available for the full term.
What should a University’s role be in providing for students' academic and cultural pursuits?
A world-class university like the University of Auckland should:
Provide Education: In a way that it promotes research-led teaching, small-group or tutorial learning, practical/life oriented field works, rigorous supervision and rapid feedback loops.
Resource the whole student: It should have accessible mental-health care,
robust careers and internships (university supported), clubs and cultural life worthy of a global city.
Open real pathways: It should also provide funded research assistantships,
policy labs with government/NGOs and more international exchanges, so that every student can turn academic work into public impact and can have a wider global exposure, which will surely make them more professionally compatible.
Have you reviewed UOA’s 2026 CSSF budget? Are there any changes you would advocate for?
UoA projects $9.56 per point in 2026 ($1,147.20 for 120 points; $9.24 in 2025). The consultation notes an expected $48.1m 2025 spend on student services across ten government-defined categories. I support the levy but want stronger value-for money guarantees.
My proposals:
Publish a student-facing dashboard each semester: Each semester, show students a simple online dashboard that tells them where the student-services money went (by category), how long waits are, and what results were achieved.
Targeted boosts: More counsellors (shorter waits), career and internship advising (especially for postgrads/international) and hardship micro-grants. I would prioritise career and internship advising over anything; because, this is the ultimate goal of a tertiary study.
Participatory budgeting pilot: Let students propose and vote on small, practical ideas (like longer study-hub hours or a night shuttle) and use a set-aside slice of the student services fee to fund the top-voted projects, with progress reported publicly.
Annual consultation clarity: Each year, tell students early what decisions are being made, explain them in simple language, and give enough time and easy ways to give feedback so their input can actually change the outcome.
If elected, how will you stay visible, accessible, and responsive?
Practical, student-first plan:
I shall hold weekly drop-ins at the City Student Hub and fortnightly pop-ups at Grafton (with AUSA), with a live calendar and QR so anyone can ask questions anytime.
After every Council meeting, I shall post a 60-second You Said, We Did video
and a short bullet recap of what changed.
I shall run 2-minute polls on big issues and share the results within 48 hours
and also demonstrate how someone will vote.
I shall use a Politics & IR class-rep style relay through quick faculty briefings, then reps collect feedback before Council papers are finalised.
I shall have direct contact (email + Instagram + WhatsApp/Signal broadcast),
and reply within a clear 48-hour turnaround.
How do you stay up-to-date with everything that’s going on at the University?
Council/committee papers (for agenda, papers, minutes).
Student Hubs / AskAuckland for service updates and policy changes.
Equity Office | Te Ara Tautika updates (DEI policies, initiatives, and contacts) to track equity impacts and opportunities.
Faculty/Class-rep networks and AUSA liaison for live student signals. (I already serve as Department rep in Politics & IR and course rep of Pol:701 & 770).
Which University Council committee would you most want to follow closely?
Yes, there is a Student Experience and different Equity Committees (8 committees). However, given my platform, I shall follow UELC most closely, because that is where whole-of-university equity policy, resourcing and accountability converge and where a student voice can most directly influence Council-level outcomes.
In 50 words or fewer, what makes you stand out?
Tutor-leader with results; nine years teaching military learners; leadership in the Bangladesh Army and UN. Currently course rep for POLITICS 701 & 770 and department rep of Politics & IR. I can turn student feedback into faster services, better careers and real accountability, closing the loop with ‘You Said, We Did’ updates.
