Discover the seven candidates for Union President

The seven candidates to the role of Union President – the sabbatical officer which leads and represents Imperial College Union – were revealed on Thursday 5^th March. On that day, four of them took part in a debate moderated by Felix around the themes of affordability, student voice, and representation.

Below, we have summarised the presidental candidates’ manifestos, which can be read in full on the eVoting platform.

Anson To (Sabbatical Officer)

Anson To is the current Deputy President for Welfare, promising students that “if it matters to you, it matters to me.” Holding the College and Union accountable to their actions is a theme in their manifesto. To also wishes to provide students with renting rights advice by partnering with charities, to track food prices on campus to lobby for affordability, and to provide financial support to international students in need.

Daniel Zhuo (4^th year Civil Engineer)

Daniel Zhuo has been the President of the City and Guilds College Union, which represents most Engineering students, for the past three years. His manifesto underlines the need for more clarity, transparency, and student involvement in ICU decisions. Zhuo’s initiatives include introducing more paid initiatives within the Union for students, expanding mentorship and internship opportunities, and pushing for better timing of coursework deadlines and exams.

Markéta Simkova (3^rd year Biologist)

Markéta Simkova, a Horizons representative and bartending team leader at FiveSixEight, runs on a platform of affordability and financial opportunity, process simplification, and inclusivity. Simkova wishes to freeze halls rent, cut the bureaucracy facing student groups by unifying digital platforms, and expand flexible job opportunities across the College.

Comfort Oluwakoya (4^th year Medic)

Comfort Oluwakoya has been the Black and Minority Ethnic Officer for the past two years, and runs with a manifesto focused on funding and affordability, with the tag #ChooseComfort. Some of her key priorities include allowing a given society to run a fully funded event each month, improving the on-campus food offer by introducing hot meals under £5, and have companies advertising at campus job fairs commit to interviews or hire a set number of Imperial students.

Elephes Sung (PhD candidate)

Elephes Sung is running under the slogan “Let’s Make College a College Again.” His manifesto, which is structured as an acrostic spelling out CHATGPT, denounces the prioritisation of superficial rebrands and slogans over a stronger research culture and clearer communications at Imperial. Sung looks to improve “science communication” across the Union, and to strengthen student voice. 

One candidate, Augustin Briens (a 3^rd year Computer Engineer), did not provide a manifesto, while another, Thomas Aldrian (a 2^nd year Electronic and Informatic Engineer) provided a manifesto that was removed due to a breach of the election rules.

All students can cast their votes to elect the next President, the three Deputy Presidents (for Activities, Education, and Welfare), and other holders of Union and Student Group roles from Monday 9^th March at 10am until Thursday 13^th March at 2pm.