Communication and Law student Kurt Cheng looks back

Kurt Cheng is a soon-to-be graduate of a combined Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) and Bachelor of Laws. He is currently the elected undergraduate member of the UTS Council, the university's governing body.

With final assessments just weeks away, Kurt is gearing up to graduate after five and half years at UTS. We spoke to Kurt as he looked back on his time at UTS.

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How would you describe your time here and what excites you about the future?

Empowering. It’s bittersweet to be finishing up at a place that has given me more than I could have possibly imagined. UTS is more than just a place that has given me - along with 280,000 others - a degree. It’s a place that empowers you with the tools and skills to find your potential. It’s a community defined by respect and diversity of thought but supports robust debate and a challenge of ideas. I guess it’s a place that has shaped me for a lifetime. 

It's been interesting being able to oversee so much change in my time here. Exams in my first year were still handwritten. By second year I was sitting in my first UTS Academic Board meeting learning about this thing called coronavirus and that the university had to respond, paving the way for online learning and assessments. Now as I finish up with UTS Council, I never imagined I’d be designing the future UTS that a kindergartener today will one day experience. It's a strange thought!

But at the core of everything, it’s the enduring friendships I've made along the way that keeps me excited for the future. The people you sit with in your first class, meet at society events, or even run against in elections, all end up being some of your closest friends. What excites me most is where in the world we will all end up, the lives we will live and the impact we will make throughout our careers.

Reflecting on your journey, what has been the most unexpected lesson you've learned from your leadership roles at the university?

To appreciate the effort of others no matter the result. All too often we focus on results but pay little attention to the efforts people make. Rewarding effort as well as results will lead to better productivity and outcomes for everyone.

And the strangest experience?

Weeks after my election to UTS Council I found out we graduate students at the ceremonies, on stage, donning ceremonial robes. It's been strange to graduate my own friends, especially since I'm yet to graduate myself. After joining Council for 25 ceremonies, graduating a few thousand students and a handful of friends, I think I've had enough time to rehearse for my own graduation later this year.

In what ways has your involvement in the UTS Council influenced your understanding of institutional decision-making? 

UTS is a big place, both by headcount and the campus. After almost two years on the UTS Council, I’ve learnt that time is important when it comes to making difficult decisions. Decisions can impact thousands, shaping a community made up of people from across the globe. So being able to gather the most reliable evidence available, understanding as many different perspectives as possible, and giving it as much time as you can before coming to a decision has usually led to better outcomes.

What do you think the biggest challenges are for student societies?

Despite engagement reaching an all-time high, student societies must look at ways to engage students beyond their first year. We know that student priorities have shifted, and that earning money is a priority over being involved at university. Clubs and societies need to look at how to sustain engagement throughout a students’ journey at UTS. This will only build greater momentum, sustainability and credibility in the society. 

“Weirdly enough, I never thought I would get involved when I started. I thought societies were lame. But what I thought was lame gave me lifelong friends, networks and, jobs that have set up my early career”.

What advice would you give to students who aspire to take on leadership roles within the university community?

Reflect on your values and what fuels your motivation for the role. A role is pointless unless you can contribute something meaningful.

Has your involvement in university governance influenced your perspectives on broader societal issues or public policy? If so, how?

As university students, we’re entering a world vastly different from the careers our parents or grandparents may have entered. We do not know what the jobs of the future might be. My experience in governance roles has made me realise that everything we do here is not to prepare us for the jobs we know exist today but equip us with the skills to adapt and remain agile to the jobs of the future.

Equally, the demands of students today are higher than ever with historic high HELP Debts, a skills shortage, and a cost-of-living crisis. So being able to adapt quickly is important. Exposing yourself to as many opportunities, people and networks to be well-rounded will make an enormous difference.

My first job was advertised on the UTS Careers Hub. I was nervous for my first interview, so I stalked who worked there on LinkedIn, before realising they get a notification when someone views their profile – right when the interview started.

Can you share any memorable success stories from your leadership journey that reinforced your passion for student advocacy and representation?

In 2022, I led a governance change to introduce an elected Indigenous student member to the UTS Academic Board, the body that makes decisions on everything related to our degrees and curriculum. Sitting in a room of 60 or so members and watching the constitution change pass, and knowing that for as long as UTS stands, there will always be an Indigenous student voice at the highest levels of the university was a highlight.

During the pandemic, there was an uptick in racial discrimination towards certain student groups. Working with the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion to develop our #RacismNotWelcome campaign and launching it on the Alumni Green was a proud moment too.

Negotiating the first UTS Student Partnership Agreement that sets out core priorities that the university must work on with students to deliver was fulfilling. It meant that important issues such as addressing sexual harm on campus, responsible spending of the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), and better support for equity and diversity initiatives would be worked on in collaboration with students.

What aspects of university do you think are most in need of improvement or reform, based on your experiences?

Probably if the escalator near the Goods Line to Building 6 actually worked. But I’ve been told it will be replaced with a brand-new lift soon! Other than that, probably some more options in the UTS Food Court.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working as a policy advisor to a Minister at the NSW Government. It’s a fascinating role where I’m able to apply the practical skills learnt in Communication with the theoretical expertise from my Law degree. I have a graduate position at Ashurst and will return in the near future to practice as a lawyer once I’ve had my time in policy. 

Last words?

No matter your advantage or disadvantage, everyone is on an equal playing field at UTS and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Our culture of respect, diversity and tolerance defines the university. The people you meet will shape your time at university and in our lifelong careers to come.

Seize every opportunity because it is all yours for the taking. Everything you say, think and do in this place will shape the next chapter of your life and set you up for a lifetime – because that’s my story.