Candidate: Cho Mau Fung (Jackie)

I am putting myself forward as a candidate for the Student Representative on the University Council because I believe that every student deserves to feel their voice matters, not only in the classroom but at the highest level of the University. For me, this role is not about recognition but about responsibility—taking the concerns, hopes, and ideas of my fellow students into the room where the biggest decisions are made.

I have seen firsthand how a student representative can make a difference. At the University of Manchester, I served as the Student Representative for International Relations. That experience taught me the value of listening with patience and acting with courage. I remember many conversations with classmates who felt frustrated about communication gaps or academic concerns, and I worked with faculty to help bring about practical changes. They were not always huge victories, but even small improvements made students feel heard and supported. That experience stays with me: it showed me that being a representative is about being a bridge, someone who can turn feedback into action.

Now, as a postgraduate student in the Master of International Business programme at the University of Auckland, I want to carry that same spirit into our community here. I know the challenges of being a student in a fast-changing world—balancing study, work, wellbeing, and identity. I want to make sure those challenges are not invisible to decision-makers.

My background has given me the tools to contribute. Through work at HSBC Hong Kong, CGTN Beijing, and international cultural exchange projects, I have learned how to coordinate across cultures, manage complex issues, and bring people together. I also led a volunteer team during the pandemic to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to students and staff members—an experience that reinforced my belief that leadership is not about position, but about actions.

Having studied and lived in Hong Kong, the United States, the United Kingdom, and now New Zealand, I bring a global outlook and a deep respect for diversity. I am fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and conversational in Japanese and French. These experiences do more than shape who I am—they also allow me to bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to Council discussions. I want to use this background to ensure that all students, both domestic and international students, feel that the University’s decisions reflect their realities and aspirations.

If elected, I will approach this role with energy, humility, and determination. I want to be a representative who is approachable, who listens first, and who never forgets that this position is entrusted to me by students. I believe our voices can shape the University’s direction, and I would be honoured to serve as that voice for all.