Two new student presidents have taken up the reins of Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Students’ Union.
Edward Pollock (21) has been elected as student president for communication and democracy, while GianPiero Franchi (21) has been appointed as student president for sport and physical activity.
Originally from Aberdeen, Edward moved back to his home town after living in Dubai for six years and joined RGU in 2012 to embark on a degree in Events Management.
Edward has been actively involved with RGU’s Students’ Union (RGU:Union) since the beginning of his studies so felt it was a natural transition to run for student president where he will pursue his passion for student-led projects and ensure his peers are represented as well as supported.
Edward says: “I’ve been actively involved with RGU:Union for the last three years and I’m hugely passionate about its work and student-led projects so I felt that the role would be a great opportunity to support my peers and their initiatives, as well as strive to enhance the student experience.”
In addition to supporting student projects, Edward’s role will see him act as the key spokesperson for the student body and the media, as well as promote the democratic processes of RGU:Union.
Commenting on his campaign aims Edward says: “I would like to raise awareness about RGU:Union and enhance the student-led media at RGU (RGU:Media) while supporting other groups and societies. I am also aiming to develop and run a wide range of events for students to increase engagement.”
GianPiero, who graduated in July with a first class honours degree in Contemporary Art Practice specialising in Sculpture, is a keen football player and aims to use his student president role to help to improve the performance of RGU’s sports teams and learn new skills.
He says: “I’ve played football for the university throughout my studies and I am passionate about sport so I wanted to be able to further support RGU Sport and help to enhance the performance of all of our student teams on the pitch.”
Gianpiero, who was born in Edinburgh to Italian parents, is determined to help RGU win the annual Granite City Challenge varsity event which sees sports rivals from RGU and the University of Aberdeen compete in a number of games with an overall winner announced.
“RGU has not won the Granite City Challenge in a number of years so I am keen to work with the sports teams to ensure we come out on top this year.”
The two presidents took up their posts at the beginning of August and were elected by their peers who voted online and across the university campus during RGU:Union's election week in March 2015.