Vote Katwamba for a fairer and affordable education!
Hello, my name is Katwamba Mutale I’m a BA Fashion Photography student at London College of Fashion graduating this summer!
I’m standing for the LCF Officer Role because I want to improve LCF student experience as it moves to Stratford by ensuring it is affordable, inclusive, diverse and welcoming.
As the current School Rep for Media and Communication, I have been working with the Deans and the Arts SU to understand closely current issues the college faces.
Students have been hit hard by the Cost-of-Living crisis, results from the Cost-of-Living Survey show that many students are finding it difficult more to balance studying with work, many are having to make unnecessary and unjust sacrifices. If elected, I aim towards having a fairer arts & design education which will include working to have more funding available for LCF students including making the Hardship Fund easier to apply and access. I will also work towards reducing Cost of Study and have in place accessible and cheaper travel for students.
I will work towards closing the attainment gap that is lower for BAME students particularly Black Home and International students. I will work with the University to understand specific issues they face and provide the necessary changes for this to be achieved, in addition to continuing towards working on Decolonising the Curriculum.
In terms of experience, I have been Course Rep for 2 years where I significantly advocated and fighting for better and fairer student experience for my course mates who endured studying during lockdown and had missed vital learning. I was a part of last year’s Quality of Review panel in helping to make UAL a more inclusive and fairer University for future students.
I was also a NUS Conference Delegate last year and attended the NUS conference alongside previous elected UAL officers to help contribute highlighting the specific issues arts and design students face such as International Students limitations with employment.
Lastly, I was the founder of Chapter Living Accommodation Rent Strike in 2020 which I successively fought for reduced rent and concessions for students across Chapter Living accommodation affected by the pandemic during lockdown.
Thank you for taking the time read my manifesto!