University of Aberdeen: Martina Chukwuma-Ezike elected as University Rector
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike has been elected by students as Rector of the University of Aberdeen.
Martina accumulated 242 votes under the transferable vote system. The other two candidates – Blair Imani and Radeen Moncrieffe – finished with 71 and 92 votes respectively. A total of 405 votes were cast.
The Rector of the University is an ancient post dating back to the foundation of the University in 1495. As part of the role, the Rector represents students on the University Court. Martina will commence their three-year term as Rector from 1 January 2022.
Speaking after yesterday evening’s result, Martina said: I am delighted to have been elected as Rector of the University of Aberdeen.
Students have put their trust in me to deliver my manifesto, and I look forward to working with them in the next three years”
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike
“I would like to say a massive thank you to my campaign team who have worked tirelessly, and to all those who voted for me. Students have put their trust in me to deliver my manifesto, and I look forward to working with them in the next three years to provide mental health support, student safety and welfare, employability skills, and to deliver all the other keys issues raised in my manifesto.”
Alisa Koester, AUSA Student President said: “Thank you to all the candidates for taking part in a very interesting exchange of ideas during the election. All three candidates are truly outstanding and exceptional, but we are very happy to have an elected Rector again to ensure that students are represented accordingly. We are looking forward to working with Martina to ensure the students’ voice is heard.”
Martina, a University graduate, is Chief Executive of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, which she founded in 2009. The charity set up the first Asthma Support Centre in the UK in order to provide support services for people with asthma and allergies in the northeast of Scotland. The organisation now has offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh and supports 13,826 people with asthma annually.
Martina has a longstanding relationship with the student body, offering mentoring, volunteering and work placement opportunities at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, enabling medical students to gain experience by working directly with asthmatics.