Tirth Shah

Know the Candidate

1. Please outline your relevant experience for this position:
   A Vice President University Affairs is a position that needs leadership as well as team-working experience. Who can listen and understand what others are saying and can take strong decisions.  During my school days, I was an upfront student participating in Cultural programs, Olympiads as well as indoor sports. I used to join managing committee and volunteer for all kinds of activities. Let along in my bachelors, from my first year I joined clubs that develop student’s academic as well as managerial skills. Where I volunteered for the events like panel discussions and tech talks by industry professionals. I was a coordinator for my college’s own tech-fest where I designed and organised technical events related to my field of study. I have been also a part of group project regarding automation in agriculture that went to the stage of start-up funding. Also, in my final year as part of curriculum, me and my team collaborated with an automation Industry to do a project that would be a development as part of Industry 4.0. Also, outside my academics, I volunteer for NGOs working for rural health care and conducts blood donation drives/ blood testing camps. In my leisure time, me and my friends get together and have a debate session on current socio-political scenarios, sports and stock market which helps to develop skills like persuasion and negotiation, also it improves verbal communication skills. My journey until now have been a learning example for myself. The experiences I have had until now have shaped me to face any situation/opportunity given to me. And VP University Affairs will be a suitable match for me.
2. What specific initiatives and projects would you undertake related to this role?
   A VP University Affairs collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to help create a safe and welcoming campus where students can thrive through healthy learning environments.  Due to this pandemic, students across the world have suffered. Studying have become online which is tiresome, and lockdown/quarantine have affected mental health also. I will be proposing initiatives like “meet and greet” of students, domestic as well as international so that they can bond and share experiences.  I have read a research that pets can decrease stress, so when this Covid situation decreases, a “pet get-together” of pet owners including students, professors, and other staff as well. Also, a mental-health awareness camp for students who are unable to compete with stress will be proposed by me. After a long time in quarantine, sports is left behind, new athletic events and activities will be started as well as different sport tournaments will be organised for the skilled players.  A “Technology Fair”: an exhibition showcasing different projects made by graduate students, will also be proposed by me. A huge loss of life has occurred since these 2 years to respect them as well as a tribute to health care workers: A Blood Donation Camp can be the best way to do it.  Along with these projects and initiatives there are many more things to look for. If I am elected more things like this will come along the way.
3. How do you plan on facilitating positive work relationships within the GSS board and membership?
   Positive work relationship is the key component in any work environment. Without it, no team/ organisation can work properly. Similarly, I also intend to follow an optimistic relationship with board as well as the members.  If I am given a task to do i.e. to work on a new project for students, I will research the whole scenario, discuss it with the president, research it and analyse every output of it, and at last reporting everything to board for the amendment of that project. Taking each member’s opinion about recent initiatives if any problems occur, changes are done consulting the board and Final decision made by it will be welcomed. There will be constant interaction with members through social media and regular updates on GSS website. Working in a team is a challenge that needs politeness and humbleness but also decisive nature. I have experienced it and have been successful. Always working with a can-do approach brings a spark in the working relationship between authorities.  These practical qualities and methodologies will help me to construct a productive relationship with GSS board as well as members.
4. What lessons/skills have you acquired from overcoming an obstacle in your educational career and how can you apply those learnings to this position
   During my school days I had a habit of over thinking, which led me to take bad decisions and my whole work would go in vain. But I participated more in team exercises and slowly this problem has decreased a lot. Also, during my high school I went under depression that affected my grades and led me to a college that was not up to my goal. But I came out of it as I met new friends, they helped me and after 5 years I am a changed man. Things I learnt during these 5 years are let-go-ness, adjusting nature, stand for what you think is right and true meaning of friendship.  These experiences helped me learn lessons like never stop trusting yourself, there is always someone there to help you, never think that you are alone and acceptance of failures as well as celebration of success are both equally important. I will apply these things and come up with better outcomes from it for welfare of students as well as the university.
5. Describe the importance of the GSS in your own words
   GSS is a non-profit organisation. Graduate Student Society, in my understanding is “Of the students, By the students and For the students”. Here each problem has a solution, whatever sector it might be.  If you are having financial problems with fees there are scholarship programs, getting bored with daily monotonous routine, there are sports activities and tournaments. There are different clubs where one can meet new people and there are also social events and networking programs. There is also legal help available to the student anytime needed. When new graduate students arrive, there are orientation programs which make them comfortable in the university. These various services provided by GSS is the key element of each student’s welfare in this university.  GSS consists of people from all around the world which shows diversity, different ideologies getting together for a same cause that is student’s comfort and well-being. International students when arrive in university they need a support system which is fulfilled by GSS. It is a society where no one feels an outsider. Graduate Student Society works constantly with university to introduce policies that works in best interest of student. There are experienced students working as council members for different fields and there are executives governing the whole process, reporting to the board members. Being a GSS member brings a lot of perks and opportunities as its network has spread across the globe. I specially thank the founding members of this society as it plays an important part of student’s university journey.