Ashritha Sugumanchi: Candidate for President

By Julie Capkova

As the whole campus prepares to vote in the upcoming student elections, The Print has interviewed a number of candidates standing for representative and executive positions. All candidates were invited to participate. Those who did not respond are not included. Other candidates are available and students can see all of them on qmsu.org/elections. Anything mentioned in the text reflects the candidates’ opinions, not The Print’s. The length of the interviews does not imply preferences for a candidate, but instead ensures that we are factually reporting on their interviews. 

When asked why she decided to become a candidate, Ashritha Sugumanchi replied: ‘I am just a regular student who wants to run for a president.’ She then continued by saying: ‘I also thought I should be standing up for this role so I can understand what the problems are from every student’s point of view, what we actually need, and what we are asking the university for.’ 

The priorities Ashritha would like to focus on include students’ participation in societies, communication, and holding more events that would help students with their future careers. 

‘Students are supposed to enroll in societies to expand their knowledge [...] instead of just attending lectures and going back home.’ She believes this is a part of a well-rounded university experience. ‘I want to initiate a programme where every student is a part of a university club or society.’ She wants to appeal to societies to become more inclusive for people with part-time jobs, and put more effort into acquiring members. This could be done through promotion from lecturers or even events open to non-members. 

Communication is another important aspect of her campaign. She specifically proposes a programme called Quarterly Impact Plan. ‘In each quarterly I want my team to reach out to every department in QMUL, talk to them in person, talk to the students, and learn about what the issues are, and what changes they expect.’ This programme stands on getting clear feedback, constructive criticism and improvements based on the reports. Ashritha says, that ‘after all, only students can openly talk to students.’ This relates to her another wish: ‘I want executive students to be easily seen and heard by students.’ This could be achieved by regular trips around the university, 'because not every student gets to talk about the issues the first time they meet (with the executives) but if their face becomes familiar, it will be easier to open up.’ The increased use of social media, posters around campus, or sessions after lectures could also help in this aspect. 

When asked what is the biggest issue students face, Ashritha replied: ‘In the end, students do not care about the luxurious facilities on campus. They care about what career opportunities the university is providing,’ reflecting on the anxieties many students feel when navigating the job market. ‘At the end of the day it’s always about employment and career options. So I would like to gather a lot of recruiters and meet with students. I want many company recruiters to reach out to our students and help them understand what the hiring process is, so we can be more prepared.’ The focus should be on CVs, resumes, interviews, portfolios, and clear insights into what the hiring process looks like. Ashritha further mentions that she would like to focus on networking events, meeting alumni and initiatives designed specifically for women, reflecting the stigma when it comes to women in men-dominated fields. 

When it comes to representing everyone, including those voices who don’t agree with her, she says: ‘I will try my best to understand why someone’s point of view is different, and I will find solutions and middle ground, or even try to change my decision. [...] At the end of the day it will be the students who will be impacted by what the executive officers are doing.’ 

If elected, she would like to implement changes that would make things easier for those who follow her. This, to Ashritha, would be a success at the end of the term. She concludes by saying: ‘Executive students are just students. Your voice is making our university going. And I want every student to be heard and seen.’ 

Voting runs from 23 to 26 March 2026.