Meet UNSW Business School's PG 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: Supraja Chidambaranathan, Master of Commerce, specialising in HRM, Global Sustainability and Social Impact).

Dream career or industry to work at: Nothing specific but want to work on the people side of the business.

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

With a background in social work and mental health, I developed a strong foundation in engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. This experience highlighted the importance of understanding the strategic side of HR, which naturally led me to pursue a business degree. I chose UNSW because it ranks highly in business and management according to the QS rankings and has been recognized by the Australian Financial Review as Australia's Most Employable University.

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

Engaging with diverse populations has enhanced my ability to understand and address various needs, which has been invaluable in both academic and professional settings.

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

UNSW has provided numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. The experience of relocating to a new country and living independently has instilled a strong sense of self-confidence and flexibility. These experiences collectively have strengthened my ability to navigate and manage workplace challenges, preparing me to lead effectively.

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

My passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) stems from my background in social work and my experience with organizations supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. I am deeply committed to addressing DEI issues and creating awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community. Through the EDI Committee, I aim to promote the use of inclusive language and implement engaging activities to sensitize the student community about LGBTQIA+ issues.

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 demonstrates its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion through initiatives like the Gender Equity Strategy 2024-28. This strategy outlines steps to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all genders, including the use of inclusive language, understanding intersectional identities, providing mentoring support, empowering gender-diverse and LGBTQIA+ staff to take on leadership roles, and creating culturally inclusive calendars. 

One particularly fascinating initiative is the inclusion of gender-inclusive and accessible restrooms around the campus, which is not commonly seen at universities in my home country. Such measures not only foster a more inclusive environment but also encourage students to feel valued and respected, thereby enhancing their overall academic and social experience.

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

To enhance student belonging and engagement with EDI principles, collaboration with other teams and departments is essential. As part of the accommodation office, I see potential for joint events for college and apartment residents. Initiatives and events that could further promote inclusivity and engagement could be explored.

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

Working with PeriFerry, a social enterprise in India that upskills and places transgender community members in corporate jobs, profoundly impacted me. As an intern, I conducted an impact report on one of their batches and witnessed firsthand how inclusive workplaces, where individuals are addressed by their preferred pronouns, positively transformed their self-perception and financial independence. This experience highlighted the profound impact of small changes in the workplace, inspiring me to champion EDI principles in my career.

UNSW Business School strives toprovide 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.