As we reach the end of the 2024–25 SUPRA Council term, I want to thank everyone who has been part of SUPRA’s journey during the past year. It has been an honour to serve as President, and I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together in service of the postgraduate community at the University of Sydney.
Our advocacy has been both broad and impactful. A core focus has been the Fair Fares Campaign, calling for equitable public transport concessions for international and part-time students across NSW. With over 20,000 petition signatures, endorsement from the NSW Labor Conference, and formal recommendations submitted to the IPART Opal Fare Review, we have made meaningful progress. Our petition was debated in the NSW Parliament – a major milestone that demonstrated the power of student activism. This month, we launched a new phase of the campaign to sustain momentum and push for real legislative change. Find out more and support the campaign.
A defining moment of early 2025 was the Empowering Student Voices Symposium – an inspiring gathering of students, staff and decision-makers across the higher education sector. The Vice-Chancellor’s address acknowledged the importance of centring student voices in shaping university policy. Following the symposium, we launched the National International Student Voice Campaign in partnership with other student organisations, expanding student-led advocacy to the national stage.
Over the past year, we have consistently stood up for international students. From opposing discriminatory visa caps to affirming that reporting a crime will not affect visa status, SUPRA has made it clear that international students are not only welcome, they are essential to the vibrancy of our campus and community. Our public statement of support reaffirmed this commitment.
We also continued to support HDR students across multiple fronts, addressing emerging issues such as US travel restrictions and calling for fairer taxation of research stipends. We are advocating for part-time research students to receive their RTP stipends tax-free, as full-time HDR students do. Our campaign, Fair taxes for part-time research students, calls for inclusive reforms that reflect the diverse realities of research enrolment.
Over this council term, we also proudly joined Hidden Disabilities Australia to promote accessibility and responded to the University’s 2023 Sexual Misconduct Report, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to student safety, dignity and equity.
I am proud of the work we have done to expand the SUPRA volunteer program, which now offers structured pathways for engagement, training and recognition. With the help of our dedicated volunteers, we delivered a whole range of regular community-building events that fostered connection, inclusivity and wellbeing among postgraduate students. These included monthly Free Lunches, Wine & Cheese nights, SUPRA Hiking and Movie Nights, as well as our weekly Fitness Programs. All of these events provided opportunities for socialising, networking and taking a well-deserved break from academic life.
We not only hosted events ourselves but also empowered students to lead their initiatives through the Social Impact Grant Scheme, which funded projects addressing food insecurity, mental health, cultural diversity and sustainability. Additionally, I supported the growth and revitalisation of our equity networks, such as the Queer and International students’ networks. These networks became more active and visible through a wide range of social events and workshops that have strengthened our commitment to inclusive representation.
On a personal note, this role has been an immense learning opportunity. It has strengthened my leadership skills, deepened my understanding of University governance and challenged me to grow in public advocacy and collaborative problem-solving. It has also advanced my interpersonal skills, as I have worked closely with students, staff and sector stakeholders to achieve meaningful change. I have learned to navigate complex systems, build consensus and hold space for diverse perspectives, while remaining grounded in the values of fairness, integrity and student empowerment.
To all our volunteers, councillors, staff and students: thank you! Your passion and support make our work possible. As we look ahead, SUPRA will continue advocating for meaningful change and building a community where every postgraduate student feels seen, encouraged and valued.
Vivian Bai
SUPRA President
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