VUPA team is here for you!

You can contact us directly on our emails, use the Contact form or send us a message on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Meet Your 2024 VUPA Board Members

Adsheaya Vasakan

President

Course: Master of Engineering (civil)
VU School of Engineering & Science 
​Language: English, Tamil, Sinhala, Malay

What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024?
To increase VUPA's participants, provide an inclusive and collaborative environment for all VUPA students and increase the number of endless opportunities available for all VUPA members to succeed

Something interesting about me?
I am an extrovert and a foodie. I enjoy travelling, socializing, and playing the electone (organ).

Daria Gaidarenko

Vice President-Coursework

Course: Master of Business Administration (Global)

VU Business School 


​Language: English, Russian, German and Chinese

What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024? 
​My goal for VUPA 2024 is to introduce fresh initiatives to social and academic activities and promote VUPA among more postgraduate students.



​Something interesting about me? ​
I love cats, coffee, traveling, and reading.​

Nardo Wai

Vice President- Research

Course: Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)

College of Sport, Health and Engineering
Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC) 
​
​Language: English, Cantonese, Kongish, Mandarin, Japanese
​
What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024?

• Make VUPA services more accessible and reachable for our fellow postgraduate students, especially those who have recently arrived from overseas.
• Improve awareness and advocate gender equality in STEM fields.
• Encourage and motivate undergraduate students involved in research.

​​Something interesting about me?  
I love hiking, gardening, assembling and building things (Puzzles, scale models, Legos, furniture, etc.) 

Joi Pariani

 General Secretary

Course: PhD in Business and Management
​
Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC) 

Language: English and Tagalog
​
What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024?
I would like to help VUPA create an inclusive environment and provide a strong network of support for postgraduate students.

Something interesting about me? 
I am a mentor in the Peer Support Program of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). I love food, coffee, traveling, and karaoke.

Lyra Joy Maligsay 

Treasurer

Course: Master of Engineering (civil)

VU School of Engineering & Science 

Languages: English and Chinese

What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024? 
I want to establish a supportive and inclusive community for VU postgraduates that fosters networking, mentorship, and collaboration.
 
Something interesting about me?  
When I’m not cooking in the kitchen, you’ll find me at home, snuggled up with my cats, or out in the wilderness camping under the stars, or simply enjoying the beach.

Elsa Mangan

Equity Officer

Course: PhD Candidate
​
Institute for Health and Sport (IHES) ​

Languages: English

What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024?
To ensure Victoria University is a safe, welcoming, and equitable space for all.

​
Something interesting about me?
Outside of being a PhD candidate, I play, coach, work in, and follow both soccer and Australian rules football.​

Arpita Aggarwal

Event & Social Media Officer

Course: Master of Project Management
​
College of Sport, Health and Engineering ​

Languages: English and Hindi 

What do I want to achieve for VU postgraduates in 2024?
My goal for VUPA 2024 is to promote cohesion and collaboration amongst VU postgraduate students, make VUPA's presence felt, and engage the students through events and opportunities.

Something interesting about me?
I love socializing, adventure, exploring new places, culture, and reading.​