Vish Singh Deora: 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. 

One of the candidates competing for the presidential role is Vishvwajeet Singh Deora, to most people known as Vish. ‘Since day one, when I started to study, it was always on my mind to run in the elections, because back home I come from a political background,’ he says. 

Vish says that throughout his studies and years at the university, he reached out to many students, learning about the issues they face and priorities they want addressed. Specifically he says: ‘Students wanted to see their VPs and their president to be very diverse. When I say diverse, I mean people from different backgrounds.’ 

When asked what makes him the best option for this position, he replied: ‘Through my experience supporting students on and off campus, I’ve developed a strong understanding of how to guide others to the right resources. I believe a strong leader is someone people feel comfortable approaching. What sets me apart is that I’m approachable, easy to talk to, and naturally outgoing, which helps me build trust and support others effectively.’

Priorities Vish addresses in his campaign range from inclusion and diversity, reflecting his own experience as an international student, support for commuters, and the cost of living. 

He believes that the support for commuters is not discussed enough and would like to change that. Specifically he proposes creating a commuter society so that ‘people who commute can have their social events. That's one easy way to engage students because I am sure that most commuters barely even join societies.’ 

Cost of living, another point addressed in his campaign, could be improved through increasing the students’ budget for printing. ‘Now it's ten pounds. We could increase that to at least 25 or 30. In my position this would be a priority.’ He would also like to see more paid jobs on campus, proposing that certain volunteer positions could be paid. 

Vish would also like to see more support for students affected by wars and conflicts around the world. He says that those students should have better access to scholarships and bursaries. 

When asked what he would consider a success at the end of his term, he replied: ‘If the students are happy with my presidential term. To ensure that, I will hold monthly meetings, send out feedback polls.’ Vish then concludes by saying: ‘I am running as someone who knows your university and wants you to be happy. If elected I will work for the students and raise the student voices no matter what,’ he says as a final message to the students. 

Voting runs from 23 to 26 March 2026.