KISA Election
The KAIST International Students Association (KISA) named its new president, Aanya Singh, as the election held from November 24 to 26 concluded. A total of 167 votes have been tallied of which 16 were cast by KISA members, while the remaining 151 were from non-KISA members. KISA votes, each counted twice as per KISA’s constitution, consisted of 13 (81.25%) Yes and 3 (18.75%) No. On the other hand, non-KISA votes consisted of 108 (71.5%) Yes and 43 (28.5%) No. Based on the adjusted votes, the lone candidate received 73.2% Yes and 26.8% No. Thus, Singh will replace the incumbent president, Ilham Darni, and take on the role effective January 1, 2024.
Originally, the election saw two presidential aspirants. However, one of the candidates, ASKM Sayeef Uddin, the current Head of KISA’s Welfare Division, has decided to resign from the candidacy on November 23. The supposed debate became a question-and-answer session with the remaining candidate and was held on November 24 at the KAIST International Center (W2-1) Multipurpose Hall.
Singh is currently serving as the Secretary of KISA’s Events Division and has served as a Creatives member of the division in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. Along with her three key principles — unity, support, and enrichment — Singh described eight agendas in her detailed manifesto. This includes establishing KISA as a robust support network; ensuring communication regarding adjustments to stipends, increasing on-campus job opportunities and paid internships; forging strategic collaborations with department representatives; fostering synergy with the UA and GSA; coordinating closely with country representatives; exploring the feasibility of financial benefits to KISA members; developing a KISA alumni system; and improving the effectiveness of existing KISA programs and initiatives.
In an interview, Singh expressed her gratitude and hopes, saying “I deeply thank the international community for showing trust in me and choosing me as the next KISA President. Together, let's make the upcoming year a remarkable one, filled with collaborations, understanding, and shared success.”
UA Election
In a separate development, the Undergraduate Association (UA) has elected the new presidents and vice presidents of the Clubs Union and eight departments in the 35th UA General Election officially held on November 23 to 24.
Clubs Union Presidential Candidate Hyukwon Kwon and Vice Presidential Candidate Hyunjun Cho received 532 (92.84%) in-favor votes of the 573 valid votes with a voter turnout of 34.46%. Department of Industrial Design Presidential Candidate Namkyu Yeo and Vice Presidential Candidate Jin Park received 29 (93.55%) in favor votes of the 31 valid votes with a voter turnout of 56.14%. Department of Biological Sciences Presidential Candidate Junseo Song received 54 (98.18%) in favor votes of the 55 valid votes with a voter turnout of 52.88%. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Presidential Candidate Chaeyun Jang and Vice Presidential Candidate Jaeseung Kim received 46 (100%) in favor votes with a voter turnout of 41.81%.
Additionally, Department of Mathematical Sciences Presidential Candidate Jihyuk Jung and Vice Presidential Candidate Seonghu Park received 76 (95%) in favor votes of the 80 valid votes with a voter turnout of 42.28%. Department of Materials Science and Engineering Presidential Candidate Soomin Lim received 70 (97.22%) in favor votes of the 72 valid votes with a voter turnout of 66.66%. School of Electrical Engineering Presidential Candidate Gunhee Bae received 281 (95.58%) in favor votes of the 294 valid votes with a voter turnout of 41.30%. School of Computing Presidential Candidate Jungwon Park and Vice Presidential Candidate Sanggeun Oh received 296 (93.67%) in favor votes of the 316 valid votes with a voter turnout of 38.46%. Department of Chemistry Presidential Candidate Heeseong Yoon received 50 (98.04%) in favor votes of the 51 valid votes with a voter turnout of 52.04%.