ABOUT ME AND MY QUALIFICATIONS

Hi, I'm Kamil

WHERE I COME FROM

Hey, thanks for making it this far. If you haven't been able to tell already my name is Kamil Kanji. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta but decided to come to UBC to pursue a degree in political science and international relations. I'm currently in my fourth year and hope to eventually attend law school. To learn more about me and my qualifications keep reading!

Vice President Academic and University Affairs (MAY 2023- PRESENT)

Led the successful advocacy of the AMS VP Academic portfolio and on track to complete 100% of goals. Secured in this role thus far from the Board of Governors and others at the University $500,000 from the University to go towards restoring the AMS/GSS mental health coverage to 100%/visit, $18,000 to $24,000 increase in minimum funding packages for every PhD student, $300,000 to go towards funding a new multidisciplinary undergrad research program, $450,000 for the AMS Food Bank to help feed our student community, $400,000 for the Centre For Accessibility to better support students with disabilities, and $250,000 in continued support for the Open Education Resources Fund to support affordable education.

Vice-Chair of the UBC Vancouver Senate (MAY 2023-PRESENT)

Provide assistance to the UBC President and Vice Chancellor in organizing the Senate agenda when required, Chair meetings in their stead of the highest academic governing body at the institution composed of University executives, deans, faculty, students and alumni and be the Presidents respective delegate for other authorities as required. In this role, I ensured to make sure student priorities were central in the operation of the Senate and that the President put those concerns at the top of his agenda.

Chair of Senate Agenda Committee (NOV 2023- PRESENT)

Serve as Chair of the Committee that sets the agenda for Senate, determines areas of broad academic interest including discussions on the inclusion of past syllabi during course registration and hybrid learning, and considers matters referred to Senate by the Board of Governors and considers maters relating to the implementation of the University Act.

Chair of Senate Budget Sub-Committee (NOV 2023 - PRESENT)

Chair the Vancouver Budget Sub-Committee of the Council of Senates that encompasses both Vancouver and Okanagan Senates. Lead the process of meeting with the President, Provost and Vice President Finance and Operations to assist in the preparation of the $3 billion University budget, scrutinize the budget, make recommendations to the President and Senate on the academic planning and priorities as they relate to the preparation of the budget, recommend direction related to the academic capital project expenditures of the University, and review and recommend changes to the budget for the Office of Senate and Curriculum Services.

Vice Chair of Senate Academic Policy Committee (NOV 2023 - PRESENT)

Serve as Vice-Chair of the Committee exclusively responsible for the development, review and recommendations of policies that govern the academic affairs of the University. In this role we have ensured the beginning of the review of policies that relate to exam hardships to make them more flexible and compassionate and the review of the policy that dictates the use of the formal examination period to make sure we do not have any significant assessments in the two weeks before the final exam period.

Student Senate Caucus Co-Chair (APRIL 2023 - PRESENT)

Leading the voting bloc of 18 Student Senators elected by the 60,000+ membership of the University of British Columbia student body to represent their interests. In this role, I developed the priorities for the student senate caucus for the next triennium (3 years).

Strategy and Governance Lead in AMS President & Interim VP Finance Office (APRIL 2022 - MAY 2023)

Led strategic, governing and financial changes to the AMS that have aided in the advancement of student wellbeing. This includes, the development of AMS Indigenous Finance Guidelines, the AMS Strategic Plan, policies on non-extractive consultation, and so much more. Overall, this experience also meant engaging with various Constituencies on their needs, developing the frameworks for the Governance Review, and interacting deeply with the financial systems and process of the Society be it report writing, budget composition or financial oversight.

AMS Councillor on Finance Committee (MAY 2021 - MAY 2022)

One of the Committees I am fortunate enough to be elected too is Finance Committee. In this role, I work directly with the VP Finance and participate in, vote, and debate on society financial decisions involving budgetary considerations, grants available to students, and money handling regulations. Additionally, this involves making responsible financial decisions in regards to a almost $25 million budget of the Society that comes from you! That is why this role is of the utmost importance to make sure your money is being used well.

AMS Arts Councillor (APRIL 2021 - MAY 2022)

As a member of AMS Council, I was elected to represent Arts students and have made some very significant accomplishments that are highlighted here. This role essentially entails serving on the board of directors for the Society and making high level strategic decisions that affect the lives of all students. I also served passionately within several committees to further this work.

AMS Governance Committee Chair (SEP 2021 - MAY 2022)

As an AMS Councilor, you also have the opportunity to be elected to serve as Chair of any of the Committees of the Society. I was fortunate enough to be selected to serve as Chair of Governance Committee at the start of this school year after serving as a Student-at-Large and Vice-Chair on the Committee since my first year. My role is to lead the Governance Committee in reviewing, revising, and voting on changes to foundational governance procedures that help to guide the Society in its operations. As well as provide oversight to ensure Society practices are in line with expected conducts, Codes, and Bylaws.

AMS Councillor on Advocacy Committee (MAY 2021 - MAY 2022)

As an AMS Councilor, you also have the opportunity to be elected to serve as a voting member of several Committees. One of the Committees I am fortunate enough to be elected too is Advocacy Committee. In this role, I work with the VP External and the VP Academic & University Affairs to develop policies and advocacy strategies in dealing with government and the University. This is a very relevant role as I continue to gain unique insight into the work of the VP AUA and provide critical feedback that helps guide them in their role.

UBC Vancouver Senator (AUG 2022 - PRESENT)

Representing student interests by serving on the UBC Vancouver Senate and advocating for student priorities whether that be more compassionate policies related to academic discipline, better organization of learning materials and resources for students, and so much more.

AMS Councillor on Steering Committee (SEP 2021 - MAY 2022)

A responsibility of serving as Committee Chair is also to serve on Steering Committee. In this capacity you meet with the other executives and committee chairs in order to plan out agendas for Council, keep everyone apprised of how each Committee is doing, problem solve together and ensure the Society is following through on its long term goals and visions.

AMS Councillor on Ethics and Accountability Committee (SEP 2021 - MAY 2022)

A responsibility of serving as Committee Chair is also to serve on the Ethics and Accountability Committee. This Committee meets when there are serious issues referred to it in relation to ethical violations or complaints out forward. For example, if an executive bullies a staff member and files a complainant, then this Committee will meet to adjudicate that matter. It then offers recommendations to Council about what actions to take in response. I serve on this committee and work to ensure we are being as diligent and objective in our analysis as possible.

AMS Councillor on Equity and Inclusion Sub-Committee (SEP 2021 - MAY 2022)

This Committee was responsible for creating the Equity goals of the society and the Equity Action Plan which operates as the foundational document that ensures all AMS activities are being considerate of marginalized and equity-seeking groups on campus. I was fortunate to work alongside councilors in developing this action plan and providing valuable insights and feedback about the importance of considering a diversity of views and perspectives when making decisions about equity.

AMS Councillor on Impact Grant Working Group (SEP 2021 - MAY 2022)

This Committee was responsible for reevaluating the structures, systems, and timelines of the Impact Grant which served as a research grant for students wanting to engage in independent research. I served on this Committee alongside the VP Academic in order to ensure this grant was receiving adequate funds, the timelines for applications were fair and reasonable, and the criteria of the grant reflected current needs of students and their research priorities.

AMS Councillor on Strategic Plan Working Group (SEP 2021 - MAY 2022)

This Committee is responsible for providing input, feedback, and engagement in developing the Society's new strategic plan which will create/codify the long term vision of the Society while taking into account the several diverse voices that exist across campus. My role on this Committee is to engage and provide feedback in this manner.

AUS First Year Committee Co-Director (OCT 2020 - MAY 2021)

Co-lead a team of first year arts students in organizing programs and opportunities for other first year students in the faculty. These events ranged from games nights, talent shows, cross-faculty collaboration events, and more.

AUS Professional Development Coordinator (OCT 2021 - PRESENT)

Work within the External Affairs portfolio to plan, develop and execute activities that enhance the abilities of thousands of students within the faculty of arts to network, understand their career path and further improve other practical professional skills. This role also includes collaborating with several stakeholders and other coordinators to make sure all events were executed without issue. Further, this meant reporting to a committee Director and working together to brainstorm ideas for any projects that would represent the priorities of arts students.

Advisor to the Children First Canada Board of Directors and Inaugural Chair of Youth Advisory Council (MAY 2020 - PRESENT)

Children First Canada (CFC) is an organization that works with young people to advocate to the federal government about policy and direction that will help make Canada the best place in the world for children to grow up. I served as the first Chair of the Youth Advisory Council in which I lead a team of young people from across the country in ideation, project development and execution of the several initiatives that engaged directly with federal politicians and other organizational stakeholders. I also represented the voice of the Youth Advisory Council to the organizations board of directors. This involves contributing and advising on high level conversations about organizational strategy, operations and programs.

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Flatten The Curve Canada (MAR 2020 - MAR 2021)

I collaborated with students across the country to develop an organization responsible for serving as an advocacy tool of the general population to policy makers (MLA's, MP's, Senators and Ministers) on COVID-19 related matters. I was responsible for leading board meetings with directors responsible for several departments of the organization like policy research, marketing and event planning. I also hosted an informative Facebook live show called the "New Normal" with guests from federal politics, mental health organizations and university leadership groups.

Co-Founder and Chair of the Rotary International Interact Advisory Council (FEB 2021 - PRESENT)

Rotary International is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world that is responsible for helping to find solutions to some of the worlds biggest challenges like poverty, maternal and child health, global conflict, clean water, lack of education and more. I co-founded a Committee within the organization that represents the voices of the 350,000+ young people from around the world in the organization to the Rotary International President and board of directors. I lead and facilitates the conversation, strategy and actions the committee on program and institutional changes that can elevate youth voice within the 1.2 million member organization.

Member of the Canadian Delegation to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (OCT 2020)

I participated as a member of the Canadian Delegation in discussing and advocating to this committee solutions to the lack of action taken by the Canadian government in regards to child rights and wellbeing. I also engaged with several other youth activists from organizations across the country that focused on equal opportunity and rights for children.

Youth Expert Appearance in front of the Senate of Canada Standing Committee on Social Affairs (JUNE 2020)

I appeared before this Senate Standing Committee as an expert on the youth experience during the COVID-19 crisis and provided several recommendations and ideas as to what the government could do to better the lives of young people. I also highlighted key gaps in the government response and the direct experiences of young people across the country.

Co-Founder, Co-Chair & Finance Director for the Zone 28 and 32 Interact Convention (FEB 2020 - PRESENT)

I co-Created this convention as a way to further engage the youth voice within Rotary International and provide opportunities for connection, collaboration, and learning amongst students. The event is designed for hundreds of high school students from across 43 districts (local geographical regions) from all over Canada, the North Eastern United States, Bermuda, and St. Pierre and Miquelon. Additionally, I lead a team that manages the $260,000 budget of this event and that is responsible for obtaining funding. I also work with 2 other Co-Chairs to lead a larger planning team of 30 students from across the continent and coordinate the high-level strategy for the event.

Vice-President External for the Rotaract Club of Vancouver-UBC (FEB 2021 - PRESENT)

I am responsible for the oversight of all directors that are organizing events designed for the broader population or involve fundraising work for charities. Additionally, I work as part of the Presidential team to coordinate the operations of the club and its various apparatuses. This role also encompasses working with external stakeholders to organize opportunities for club members to engage with groups outside of a club capacity. I also work to create collaborative opportunities to work with other Rotaract Clubs and Rotary bodies to create the best possible experience for club members.