Through its annual Student Awards, Edinburgh University Students’ Association celebrates the passionate members of our community who go above and beyond.
Awards honour the outstanding achievements, hard work, dedication, and leadership shown by our student body. They celebrate the passionate individuals and groups who dedicate their time to a cause, stand up for others, foster supportive student communities, overcome personal challenges, and much more.
No achievement is too big or too small to be celebrated. It’s sometimes the smallest acts of inclusion, creativity, and determination that make the biggest difference to others. In this series of profiles, we find out more about some of the individual winners and explore the extraordinary impact for which they have been recognised.
Syjil Ramjuthan received the Student Award for Championing Activism for her proactive role in the University community. She has been a vocal and active campaigner for improvements to the campus environment, supporting students, and engaging with senior staff.
In her role as President of the University of Edinburgh Feminist Society, she has organised protest and activist action, and collaborated on a campaign supporting survivors of sexual assault. She has now been elected the next Edinburgh University Students’ Association Women’s Liberation Officer.
Elsewhere she has advocated for positive change, including promoting responsible investment and addressing issues of staff and student dissatisfaction.
Responsibility
“Being at the University of Edinburgh is a privilege”, Syjil says, “but it is also a responsibility – to improve the lives of everyone here and everyone the University impacts, pushing for change where change is necessary.
“Every protest, every vigil, every act of resistance that I have helped organise, led alongside other amazing people, been involved with, or attended in any way, has recognised areas that need change because they affect everyone.
“I wanted to help make a difference and use the privilege I have, to do better for others and myself. I have witnessed multiple injustices in my life. As a young adult, I am finally acting on my own ability to do something about it.”
Collaborative efforts
As President of the Feminist Society, Syjil coordinates society events and initiatives, presents weekly discussion groups marking feminist topics including Women in War and Transgender Rights, and has assisted on larger events such as the Collaborative Charity Ball and Resistance Art Exhibition.
A highlight, Syjil says, has been the success of collaborative efforts with Girl*Up Edinburgh and Sex?OnCampus! to organise the #AmINext protest against sexual assault on campus, and support survivors.
“We have opened a dialogue with senior University officials, and I have attended several meetings now with all the people involved in this effort. I work alongside many others to advocate for establishing an official gender-based violence policy that ensures a trauma-informed and fair process and practice for survivors who seek justice and safety for themselves and others.
“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far, although it can be slow-going. Most of all, I am proud of the safe space we have created for survivors, and incredibly proud of every person that continues to stand up and demand help.
“I hope we can meaningfully change University policy, so survivors and perpetrators have equal right to appeal decisions made on sexual assault cases, and for an atmosphere of prevention to be established by way of mandatory consent training for all staff and students.”
Community
Syjil is generous in acknowledging the help and support her activism receives, and draws hope from the University community.
“Receiving this award was an incredible honour and I feel very grateful for all the support I have received in all the work we’ve done to make our University a safer, more inclusive, and intersectional space.
“I could not have done this alone. It takes a community to champion activism in the truest sense, and you can definitely find that community at the University.
“To anyone interested in attending the University, becoming a student activist, or making a positive difference in anyone’s life, I would advise you try. Do your best and give it a go – someone will be there to help you and catch you if you make a mistake.
“Becoming a person who cares, and actions that care, is ongoing. At this University, you can always find new ways to care and people to care alongside. The sense of overall community here, particularly in the activist space, is something that genuinely gives me, gives many of us, a reason to keep going on difficult days.
“The choice to get involved, to actively care, is incredibly empowering and leads to a meaningful and fulfilling life. We all have such a privilege in being here and all equally carry the responsibility of caring enough to do better for ourselves and others. It can be hard work but the solidarity with friends and with other intertwined struggles for justice and liberation ultimately makes every hard day worth doing.
“My activism comes from a place of love and hope, and surrounding yourself with people who feel, and act similarly is one of the best experiences I could ever recommend.”
Meet the award winners helping improve the lives of others.
Image credits: All Sam Sills/WhiteDog Photography; except Student Awards winners group shot – Edinburgh University Students’ Association.
