FASS/Law student Kurt Cheng was far from an involved student when he came to UTS. Yet he was encouraged by others to volunteer for social impact activities and delve into leadership opportunities early on in his degree, and he quickly realised what a privilege it was to do so.
Communication/Law Kurt Cheng and the privilege of making a good social impact during and after our degree
Kurt Cheng. Photo by Aston Brown.
Throughout Kurt Cheng's Comm/Law degree he has carved out time within his (seriously hectic) academic and work schedule to volunteer for multiple social impact initiatives here at UTS and for communities outside uni, and encourages others to understand and experience the privilege of doing so.
Now in his final-year, Kurt says university students often do not realise the opportunity and the privilege they have to make positive a social impact during their degree.
Kurt says:
"Universities are the gateway to society. As public institutions, they have the power to alter individuals' social and economic mobility, while shaping society through the exchange of knowledge and ideas."
"A university also has the ability to empower people to contribute to societal good, shape conversations that address disadvantage, and uplift the people and communities around us."
In an address to new students at Orientation in February, Kurt invited new students to leverage the knowledge, skills and networks that they will acquire to contribute back to society during and after their time at UTS.
You may not realise it today, next month or this year, but soon down the track you will be able to use the things you’ve learnt, and draw on the insights from the people you’ve met and your own lived experiences to help others, starting from your first year.
An advocate for equitable access to higher education, Kurt draws on his Communication studies as a way to better understand his own story, validate past lived experiences and shape the future post-university.
Kurt's personal story is not one of privilege. Brought up by a single Mum with his older sister, Kurt entered UTS as an equity student owing to a financially difficult and challenging home environment in his schooling years.
Our lived experiences are what defines our personal story. Our study of social sciences enable us to understand where we came from, why some challenges may have happened and equip us with the knowledge and tools to define the next chapter in our story and create meaningful social impact.
In closing his Orientation address to new students, Kurt reminded them that:
"Universities and the people within it exist for the public benefit of society."
He pointed out that "4,000 new students are joining a community of 46,000 peers who are empowered to leverage their passions, skills, experience and social capital to make a real difference through volunteering opportunities, and equity and inclusion award programs."
"Find out more about UTS’ community and leadership programs and how to make a difference!"
Kurt Cheng is a fifth-year Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) / Bachelor of Laws student and a member of the UTS Council. Kurt previously served three terms on the UTS Academic Board. He also held various roles within the UTS Student Representative Council (SRC), the UTS Law Students' Society and the UTS Australian Labor Party (ALP) Club.
IMAGES CREDIT: Kurt Cheng