Meet UNSW Business School's UG EDI Student Rep

The Business School Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee supports organisational change to enable UNSW Sydney to be a leading exemplar in EDI. The committee plays a key role in driving this change and fostering an inclusive environment that will allow all Business School staff and students to thrive and enable the University to achieve its 2025+ Social Impact strategic priorities.

By investing in educational development, Business School EDI equips our faculty and students to find better ways to create sustainable economic and social value. By fostering a local and internationally acclaimed culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, we empower everyone to thrive in a supportive environment, nurturing respect, preventing discrimination, and integrating inclusion into our daily operations.

We also provide exciting leadership development opportunities for students who have an interest in working collaboratively with Business School staff to advance the EDI agenda in the faculty. UNSW Business School considers it crucial that students’ experiences and voices are incorporated into the work the Committee carries out. 

Our Student Committee Rep roles empower our students to embrace their passionate ideas around gender diversity and play a significant role in advocating for our student cohorts. Drawing from diverse experiences and expertise, our reps are committed to making constructive suggestions and supporting the implementation of impactful changes within the committee's scope.

The UNSW Business School EDI is privileged to introduce you to one of our incredible 2024 UNSW Business School EDI Student Reps: Shilpa Balaji, Bachelor of Commerce/Computer Science, majoring in Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence.

Dream career or industry to work at: Somewhere where I’m constantly learning and being challenged!

Why did you choose to a Business Degree? And what led you to study at UNSW?

I have been fascinated by how institutions work out what generates value and how best it can be commercialised to the benefit of different entities for as long as I can remember. This turned into an ambition to complete a degree in business at the finest Business School my home country had to offer, and that for me was UNSW Business School. 

How has your experience helped you make a positive impact in your degree, career and/or community?

The array of diverse experiences and opportunities I've embraced at UNSW Business School has been invaluable in shaping my positive impact. They've refined my interpersonal skills such as adaptability and empathy, and has empowered me to tackle complex challenges, lead teams, and drive positive change within both academic and community spheres.

How has UNSW prepared you to lead in the workplace and community once you graduate?

UNSW has so many opportunities to truly find your orbit! For me personally, UNSW has been instrumental in equipping me with essential skills for leadership and community engagement. From rigorous coursework to immersive learning experiences, I feel well-prepared to lead in the workplace and contribute meaningfully to societal advancement post-graduation.

Why did you apply to be a part of the UNSW Business School EDI Committee? and what do you hope to achieve?

I applied for the UNSW Business School EDI Committee driven by my deep conviction in the power of inclusivity. I aspire to foster equity and diversity within our academic community, leading initiatives to raise awareness and create a supportive environment for everyone.

How is UNSW Business School helping to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion within the business school? Is this having an impact on the students?

UNSW Business School is actively spearheading initiatives to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion, evident through our mentorship programs, diversity training, inclusive curriculum development, and of course our very own EDI committee! These efforts continue to be instrumental in fostering a genuine sense of belonging and preparing students like myself to think global.

What do you think we could be doing more of to help improve student belonging and engagement with EDI principle?

At UNSW Business School, the commitment to EDI initiatives for both students and staff is truly commendable. Looking ahead, there's a promising opportunity to enhance our efforts and really elevate the inclusivity and richness of our academic environment by scaling up existing interactive workshops and deepening our involvement in student clubs and societies.

What inspires you to champion EDI principles within your degree and/or prospective career path?

My deep belief in the power of inclusivity inspires me to champion EDI principles in my academic journey and future career. I see fostering equal opportunities and diverse representation as essential for achieving societal progress and individual fulfillment.

UNSW Business School strives to provide a vibrant, safe, and equitable environment for education, research, and engagement that embraces diversity and treats all people with dignity and respect. We believe equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to building a globally engaged, high-impact, and academically rigorous business school and achieving the university’s 2025 strategic priorities. We are committed to reducing systematic barriers to opportunities available in the faculty, the university, and society by supporting our students and staff to be the best they can be and contribute to building a better, more sustainable future.

Find out more about our equity diversity & inclusion vision.