Dear Students, 

As I bring this chapter to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey I have had serving as your Students' Union President. It is difficult to put into words the gratitude I feel, but I want to take this final moment to say thank you, to each and every person who made this role not just a position, but a purpose. 

To the students: 
You have been my inspiration every single day. Whether we met in library, meetings, campaigns, or simply in passing on campus, your passion, creativity, and drive for change have left a lasting mark on me. Thank you for your trust, your challenges, your encouragement, and for allowing me the privilege of being your voice. I stepped into this role hoping to lead, but I leave it having learned so much from you. 

To the team who stood beside me: 
I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and passionate group of people to work alongside. 

Michael, our CEO - thank you for your guidance, integrity, and your quiet but powerful leadership. Your belief in student-led change and your steady hand kept us focused and ambitious. I learned so much from your mentorship. 

Irene, our Vice President Education - thank you for your tireless advocacy, sharp intellect, and the clarity you brought to every conversation. You have been a fierce champion for academic rights, and working with you was both an honour and a masterclass in student leadership. 

Adam, our Vice President Welfare - you brought heart, compassion, and unwavering commitment to student wellbeing. Your empathy and energetic presence were grounding in every moments, and your drive made real, lasting change happen, very well done for all you have done and achived so far, you should be very proud of yourself. 

Emily, our Representation Coordinator - you made sure that the voices of our students were never just heard but truly listened to. Thank you for being the strategic mind and moral compass behind so many campaigns. Your insight and dedication were invaluable. 

Grace, our Marketing and Communications Coordinator - thank you for giving life to our ideas and amplifying our message. From posters to social media to campaign branding, your creativity and precision brought everything we did into the spotlight. 

Matthew, from the Student Advice - your empathy and knowledge supported countless students through their hardest days including myself. Thank you for always being there with clarity, care, and unwavering support. 

Carly, our Student Opportunities Coordinator - you were the engine behind one of the most vibrant parts of our community. Thank you for helping societies not just survive, but thrive. Your work built connections, confidence, and joy across campus. 

Rosie, our Hive Café Manager - thank you for creating a space that was more than just a café. The Hive became a home for so many students thanks to your warmth, your leadership, and your commitment to making everyone feel welcome. 

To every single staff member, volunteer, part-time officer, and student, thank you. This union runs because of you. Your work, often unseen and unsung, is the foundation of every success we have had. 

We have faced challenges. We have celebrated victories. We have stood together, disagreed respectfully, adapted, grown, and always kept students at the centre of everything. 

This is not goodbye, just a turning of the page. As I step away from this role, I do so with a full heart and deep pride in what we have accomplished together. The Union is in capable hands, and I know its future is bright because you are still part of it. 

Please, continue to be bold. Speak up. Get involved. Hold your leaders accountable. Uplift each other. That’s how real change happens. 

With all my gratitude and love, 
Imran Shafiqi 
Outgoing President.