Meet the graduate candidates for student governor

Voting for graduate student governors will run virtually from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1.

The Carleton Board of Governors (BoG) is Carleton’s corporate government. The BoG makes big financial and infrastructure decisions for the university and presents Carleton’s annual budgets. Students will elect two graduate student representatives who will sit on the board from July 1 to June 30, 2023.

The Charlatan reached out to the three graduate students running for student governor to create profiles for each candidate.

 Puja Dabas 

Puja Dabas is an international student from India in the master’s of business administration program at Carleton’s Sprott School of Business.

Dabas earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Rustamji Institute of Technology, Border Security Force Academy in Gwalior, India in 2016. Dabas worked as an engineer at transportation companies in India for more than five years before coming to Carleton for a master’s of business last fall.

“I have been in an industry and I’ve got a bit of international exposure,” Dabas said. “That gives me a bit more of a holistic view of situations. That sets me apart.”

Dabas said as governor she would not be afraid to advocate for students at BoG meetings and call out conflicts of interest when she sees them. She added she was excited for the chance to help the student body.

“The Carleton community has been so supportive, welcoming me into school,” Dabas said. “What better way to give back to the community than to join the Board of Governors?”

 Abhishek Khoyani 

Abhishek Khoyani is an international student from India pursuing his master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. 

Khoyani noted his experiences at Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering in Gujarat, India and his part in organizing the Sahitya Sarita literature festival gave him experience as a communicator and manager. Khoyani added he tested his leadership skills leading treks of around 50 people through the Himalayan mountain range as an instructor with Invincible, an Indian mountain-trekking organization. 

“You get to learn how to take care of each person from the youngest to the oldest in the group,” Khoyani said. “High altitude treks are not just to have fun.”

As governor, Khoyani said he would advocate for work-life balance and represent international students at Carleton.

“Since I’m an international student, I feel for them. They are a lot of the student body,” Khoyani said. “They need to have someone that can answer and address the problems all students are facing.”

 Abdul Mutakabbir 

Abdul Mutakabbir is an international student from India in his first year of Carleton’s master’s of electrical and computer engineering program.

He graduated from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India before coming to Carleton last fall.

Mutakabbir wrote in an email to the Charlatan he would advocate against oppression and discrimination if elected as graduate student governor.

“I believe we can grow as an institution when ideas are heard and inclusiveness is encouraged,” Mutakabbir wrote. “Canada as a country is the upholder of multiculturalism. I cherish this aspect of Canadian life.”

Voting for student governors opens at 10 a.m. on Jan. 31 and closes 10 p.m. on Feb. 1.

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Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.