Daniel Igwe: Candidate for VP Science and Engineering

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. 

Daniel Igwe, who runs for the VP Science and Engineering role, says that: ‘So far I've had a good experience at Queen Mary. But I felt there could  be some changes that could be done.’ Which is why he decided to run in this election. 

When asked what makes him the best option for this position, Daniel replied ‘I’ve talked to the current VP and he’s given me some of the challenges they currently face.’ He wants to take these issues into account if elected. He then continues by saying: ‘There are around 13 000 students at Science and Engineering, and trying to capture the voice of everyone can be quite challenging. So one of the ways I would try to make everyone heard is by making myself present, and encouraging people to take part.’ He wants to achieve this by talking to students and communicating clearly. ‘I would use email and social media. I would try to find current affairs and students’ interests and further implement them.’ 

In his campaign manifesto he advocates for more opportunities for STEM students, clearer communication, and promotion of better wellbeing, especially during exam periods. He believes that one of the biggest struggles students at QMUL is ‘in terms of support.’ ‘I feel that a lot can be done. Sometimes in the library they provide sweets and colourings. That is great and they are trying but a lot can be done.’ He then continues by saying: ‘Having some sort of distressing mechanism would help. One of my priorities would be to make gym affordable during exam periods, because it would be a way of taking your mind off studying.’

When asked what he would do differently from the current office-holder, Daniel said: ‘I would make myself very available for students to reach. I spoke to the course rep for SE last semester and he mentioned that one of the issues was that there is not a clear link of communication between them and the students. So when I come in, I would make myself very available and I would make myself trusted. This means that if they ask for help, I would make sure I am following up on that help.’ He wants to achieve that by holding regular meetings with the course reps, and work with them closely. 

Daniel concludes by saying: ‘A success at the end of my term would be, if I actually achieved most of my priorities and if the feedback from the student body is high enough.’ He then closes off by directly addressing students who will make their decision about their representatives very soon. ‘I would like the students to know that I understand their struggles and I’ll try hard to be their voice.’ 

Voting runs from 23 to 26 March 2026.