«Proximity and stability» are the two «essential pillars» of Rita Tavares' candidacy for president of the Academic Association of the University of Algarve (AAUAlg). The elections take place this Tuesday, November 7th, with only one list to vote, which is seen as a “greater responsibility”.
The candidate – and future president – was interviewed this Friday, November 3rd, by Rádio Universitária do Algarve (RUA) FM and by Sul Informação, revealing some of the highlights of this candidacy.
The Academic Association is not new ground for Rita Tavares, who was treasurer under Fábio Zacarias. The list brings together «16 elements of continuity», which come from the last presidencies, but also a lot of new blood.
«65% of people had never been in a general management, but rather participated in the organization of events such as the Academic Week or the Freshman Reception. We ended up having both the experience component and new people who were interested in being part of the Academic Association and in representing and helping students», said Rita Tavares.
Furthermore, this proximity to students is something that future management will increasingly increase.
«Proximity encompasses all senses: culture and academic tradition with the return of Noite Azul, events, sport, statutory review... We want to try to work together in all these areas to provide greater proximity to students», explained the also student of Economics at the University of Algarve.
Basically, the Academic Association does not want students to feel that AAUAlg is “far away in a corner”.
The issue of financial stability is also seen as «essential», being an area that Rita Tavares knows well due to her position as treasurer.
The future president confessed to being aware of the “complicated years” that the Academic Association went through, but which, she assured, are over.
«We are stable, after two solid years of good work. But now, that we are faced with this scenario, we have to level up and do even better,” he said.
During the campaign week, the A list walked through fields from the University of Algarve (Gambelas, Penha and Portimão) and also visited university residences, some of which are still under construction.
From the students, Rita Tavares says she heard everything, but the complaint about “public transport” was recurrent.
Furthermore, themes such as housing and mental health will also guide the Economics student's mandate.
Housing, he acknowledged, is a “complex topic” and will occupy many of his concerns.
«It is inevitable not to talk about the decision that was taken in the Magna Assembly: the allocation of 150 thousand euros for a residence, in Portimão, where there will be a new campus. This was the first step that took place this school year. However, my candidacy presents itself as a continuation of that same work», he said.
The next step will be to start a «through crowdfunding so that we have financing", he added.
Em Faro, AAUAlg will monitor, firstly, «the renovation of residences» and understand, as for those «that have not been renewed, how we will manage and understand what the needs are».
«It will end up going through a lot of pressure on our part to increase supply and not so much construction because we don't have that space available», he said.
Mental health will also be a priority, with the desire for “more psychologists to be allocated to our psychology service because we know there is a huge waiting list”.
As for the fact that there is only one competing list, Rita Tavares does not see it as a sign of a lack of vitality in the Academic Association.
«I do feel that it is a greater responsibility for this team to not have opposition because we ended up representing a general direction in this week of the campaign», he concluded.
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