UTS Council — election of an undergraduate student

Candidates in ballot paper order

Aaron Choy

Arshdeep Sembhi

Chloe Ferreira

Mona Pourmanaf

Yeuk Na Jonah Lee

Vincent Jiang

Anisha Imran

Candidates’ statements

Aaron Choy

Hello! My name is Aaron and if you don’t know me yet, I’m hoping you do soon. I’m your UTS Council Undergraduate Representative candidate.

I’m a second year Bachelor of Laws and Economics student, involved in the UTS Students’ Association (UTSSA) and The Big Lift. You may have also seen me in Business Society and Law Students’ Society.

I’m motivated to run because of you. I’m deeply passionate about ensuring students’ voices are heard by those running UTS. Undoubtedly, the most important issue concerning us all is the Course Cuts being pushed by UTS Management. I very much oppose the cuts. Many of my friends and family have been disadvantaged by this and ending this is a must.

My vision is ensuring that students have access to better services, meaning sufficient funding for student wellbeing and recreation, including funding for ActivateUTS, and the UTSSA (who run our free food programs)! 

Arshdeep Sembhi

I am running for UTS Council because I want students to have a strong and genuine voice in the decisions that shape our university.

As a Civil Engineering student and active student leader, I have gained experience listening to students, working with diverse groups and taking responsibility for representing others. Through my involvement as Vice-President of the UTS Punjabi Society and as a General Committee member of the UTS Indian Society, I have learnt the importance of communication, accountability and practical leadership.

If elected, I will bring an honest and constructive student perspective to Council. I want to ensure that decisions consider students’ academic experience, career opportunities, wellbeing, accessibility and overall university experience.

I am approachable, committed and willing to speak up when students need to be heard. My goal is to represent students fairly and help make UTS an even better university for everyone. 

Chloe Ferreira

I'm Chloe Ferreira, a Bachelor of Laws/Economics student and I'm thrilled to be nominating for re-election as your undergraduate member on UTS Council. Students first — that's what's driven me over the past two years, and what I've seen make real change possible. Across various official roles and committees, and the many other projects and conversations between, I’ve been part of shaping policy and procedure, to improve your student experience in teaching, learning and uni life.  Alongside this, through the Law Students' Society, Peer Network, Case Team, Brennan, SOUL and BUILD programs and more, I've built friendships with many of you whilst channelling my leadership, values and passion into student advocacy. I've done the training, built relationships, put several wheels in motion — and I'm determined to keep driving progress for students from day one, representing our 55,000-strong community as we build our legacy for tomorrow. 

Mona Pourmanaf

I believe the strongest universities are built not only through academic excellence, but through the people who choose to invest in their community.

As a 2nd year Bachelor of Property Economics student, I have actively sought opportunities to contribute to UTS beyond the classroom. Through the UTS Peer Network, Bluebird Pantry and Night Owl, and The Big Lift, I have connected with students from diverse backgrounds and gained a deeper understanding of our university community.

I have completed my UTS SOUL Award hours and continue to volunteer in service of UTS and the wider community. These experiences have taught me that meaningful leadership begins with listening, but requires the confidence to act.

I would bring to the Board initiative, a broad student network, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine commitment to turning student perspectives into meaningful action. 
If leadership is earned through action, I hope I’ve earned your vote. 

Yeuk Na Jonah Lee

Breaking into Sydney’s competitive job market isn’t easy, and navigating university life as an international student since 2022 has shown me where UTS can deliver even more value for us. As a first-year Bachelor of Business student, I’m running for UTS Council to focus on practical, high-impact improvements.

My priority is simple: upgraded campus amenities, greater academic flexibility, and high-value career networking opportunities that connect students directly with real job outcomes.

Outside of university, I work at a marketing company leading a specialised team, and I previously served on my high school Student Representative Council (SRC). Driven by my ambition to become a successful entrepreneur, these experiences have taught me how to lead teams, solve real problems, and get things done.

If elected, I’ll make sure student voices shape decisions at the highest level. 

Vincent Jiang

Hi, I'm Vincent, a first-year Bachelor of Information Technology Co-op student at UTS.

I am passionate about contributing to the long-term success of UTS and ensuring students remain at the centre of university decision-making. If elected to the UTS Council, I will advocate for transparent governance, meaningful student consultation, and continued investment in teaching, innovation, and campus life. I believe universities should prepare students not only academically but also professionally and socially. By listening to student perspectives and working collaboratively with the university community, I hope to contribute to decisions that strengthen UTS for both current and future students. 

Anisha Imran

I’m running for UTS Council because university should be more than attending classes and completing a degree.

As a Software Engineering student, builder and community leader, I’ve built products, joined communities, taught others and explored research but I’ve realised how difficult it can be to find the opportunities already there.

I want to make UTS easier to navigate. I’ll advocate for:

1. Opportunity: making research, internships, competitions, scholarships and leadership opportunities easier to discover and access.
2. Building: creating stronger pathways for students to turn ideas and coursework into projects, startups and industry experience, especially as entering the job market becomes difficult.
3. Representation: making sure students who aren’t already involved in student politics still have a voice.

I want students to leave UTS feeling like they made the most of its opportunities, not like they found out about them too late. 

How to vote in an online ballot

1. Note your candidate choices and preference order
2. Log in to UTS: Elections Online Polling Booth
3. Choose the election you wish to vote in
4. Select the candidates you wish to vote for
5. Check your vote
6. When you are ready, choose 'submit' to record your vote.

Conduct

Participants in elections (candidates, their representatives and voters) are expected to follow the same high standard of conduct and behaviour during the campaign process as is expected on campus generally. The behaviour of election candidates and their representatives should meet expected standards of conduct. See Code of Conduct for UTS Elections.

Concerns about security due to election-related conduct should be reported to UTS Security and Emergency Management. Phone 02 9514 1192 or dial ‘6’ on any UTS phone.

Further information

The schedule for this election has information about the election rules, Returning Officer and UTS Council.

See Voting for information about votes, confidentiality, appointing a scrutineer and results.