I remember our initial meeting at the welcome lobby of Greenbank lecture theater during the pre-event meet and greet of UCLan Entrepreneurial Society. A few months later, her name came up as one of the candidates for SU Presidency, I knew she could win because of her brilliance and endearing personality. What better time to publish the excerpt from the interview than today as she celebrates her 24th birthday.
Lanre: Kindly introduce yourself please.
Sana: Hi, my name is Sana, I am from Manchester. I studied Pharmacy here for four years and recently graduated. I also ran to become SU President and won and now I am here.
Lanre: At what point did you decide to run for the SU Presidency?
Sana: It wasn’t a decision I made in one day. I thought about it for days and even months, some people also spoke to me about it and I eventually just went for it.
Lanre: Was there anyone in particular who inspired you?
Sana: I got a lot of support from Josie Linsel, the outgoing SU president, she inspired me by the way she performed and the amazing things she did during her time. Gareth Pye (Director of Engagement & Support, UCLan) was someone who also helped me get here by encouraging me to get involved in student politics right from my second year at the university.
Lanre: Would you consider mainstream politics when you leave the university?
Sana: (Laughs) No, definitely not. I have other career aspirations and politics isn’t one of them.
Lanre: What advice would you give to Blacks and Minority Ethnics (BME) students/graduates in the UK?
Sana: Seize every opportunity possible. It is easy to be complacent and to get stuck in your comfort zone and wanting to stick with your own group of friends. But, it is very important to break out of that. If I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. Our University and the Student Union pride ourselves in our diversity but it all depend to students getting involved.
Lanre: If you can send a message to your younger self, what would it be?
Sana: (Laughs) my younger self, oh gosh! I would say, believe in yourself, be a lot more confident, and believe you can do this.
Lanre: It has been nice interviewing you. Thank you very much
Sana: My pleasure
Follow the link below to listen to the full audio interview:
