Programme Representatives
Programme Representatives
Programme Reps are responsible for taking a cross-university look at the programme(s) they are responsible for overseeing. They will work with the Academic Representation Coordinator, Co-President (Academic Affairs), and Class Reps to identify themes in feedback and improve the academic student experience across ULaw.
Meet your new Programme Representatives!
You can find the names of all our newly elected reps below, along with their election manifestos. Once they have completed training later this month, we will publish their contact details should you wish to get in touch.
Hanna Dookhee
I was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 2024. I have recently completed my pupillage and soon will be Called to the bar. I am doing my LLM at UOL. I choose this field because I like to represent the voice of the voiceless. I like to fight for the interest of others, be it academic issues or any other problem. I had also fulfilled a similar role in my secondary school. Why do you think you are a good fit? I had previously fulfilled a similar role in my secondary school. What are your ambitions for the role? Any issues relating to Masters Course can be reported to me and also I will take prompt actions as regards to those issues.
Zafreen Akhtar
Hello! My name is Zafreen and I am a Solicitor Apprentice at Fox Williams. I am a second-year apprentice and am currently sitting in the Dispute Resolution department. I attend the Bloomsbury Campus, in-person, every Monday and enjoy participating in Workshops and various Ulaw events! I am running for the position of Apprenticeship Programme Representative because I would like to help enhance the apprenticeship programme so it is best structured to suit our needs. Representation of the Apprenticeship Route is incredibly important as this is a relatively new programme. I am committed to dedicating time and effort into collecting feedback and working with others to enhance the academic and social university experience. Why do you think you are a good fit? I am putting myself forward as the Apprenticeship Representative as I would like to advocate for apprentices, just like me, and ensure they receive the best support and have a smooth university journey. I have experience in event planning and coordination, as I co-hosted an apprenticeship insight event and ensured we had a thorough schedule, a detailed presentation, food and dessert. I also have experience in representing students as during sixth form, I was a student ambassador and responsible for organising events such as Prom and Culture Day as well as collecting feedback and attending meetings. This has led me to develop strong skills in communication and organisation, which will be helpful to my role as I will be communicating with class representatives and organising student events. I believe these skills and my past experiences make me an excellent candidate for the role. What are my ambitions for the role? If elected I will aim to: 1. Enhance the academic university experience – by collecting and implementing feedback on the course structure, the subjects and the intensity of the course.2. Improve the social university experience – by organising events and societies that in-person and online Solicitor Apprentices can join.3. Ensure that people feel heard – by creating a platform where students can chat informally but also create a space where they can share their honest experiences about being a solicitor apprentice.
Phoebe Lever
Hello, my name is Phoebe and I am studying the Bar Practice Course at the Leeds Campus. I studied and got my Law Degree at Lancaster University. I have many passions, but I am especially passionate about my competitive ballroom and latin dancing- where I have achieved best in the UK. Why do you think you are a good fit? I believe I would make a strong program rep for the BPC because I am approachable and easy to talk to, making it easy for my fellow students to share any concerns or feedback about the course. I can communicate clearly and professionally with both students and staff, ensuring that issues are raised and discussed constructively. I am organized and reliable, and am able to balance the demands of the course alongside the responsibilities of a representative. Inclusivity is important to me, and I will work to ensure that ALL students feel heard and supported. What are your ambitions for the role? My ambition for the role is to take a proactive approach to raising and resolving issues, and I plan to keep students updated with any changes or outcomes. Above all my ambition is to serve the role well and be a reliable rep that fellow students can rely on for support and assistance when navigating the challenging BPC course.
Natalia Samotyj
Hi, I’m Natalia, a LLB with International Business student who began my degree in Leeds before making the big move to the London campus. Experiencing life on two campuses has given me a unique perspective on adapting to new environments, building fresh connections, and understanding the challenges that come with studying a combined programme. Outside of my studies, I love discovering London’s hidden spots - whether it’s trying a new food market, exploring independent cafés, or finding quiet corners for studying. Why do you think you are a good fit? I think I'm a good fit for this role because I’ve already experienced what it takes to represent Combined Programmes students and truly enjoy supporting others. During Year 2, I served as a Combined Programmes Representative, where I spent time talking to students in person, understanding their challenges, and finding practical ways to help. From sharing advice on vacation schemes and training contracts to guiding students through timetable clashes or simply being someone to listen, I’ve built the skills and confidence to advocate effectively. Now, as I enter Year 3, I’m excited to stand for this role again. My experience across both Leeds and London has strengthened my ability to represent students and advocate for positive changes. I’m passionate about making sure combined programmes students feel supported, connected, and confident - no matter where their university journey started. What are your ambitions for the role? I plan to continue my manifesto from last year and finally organise informal meet-ups and networking events where students from different programmes (not just combined) can share experiences, make friends, and build professional connections. I’d also like to host career-focused sessions, including talks on vacation schemes, training contracts, and CV tips, to help students confidently promote their unique interdisciplinary skills (from a student's perspective).
Müzgin Kuruçay
Hi, my name is Mizgin and I am a Foundation Year student at ULaw. I am passionate about supporting international students because I know how challenging it can be to study in a new country. I enjoy working with others, listening to people’s ideas and helping to find solutions. I would love to represent my classmates and make sure our voices are heard. Why do you think you are a good fit? I believe I am a good fit for this role because I am approachable, organised, and committed to helping others. In my previous experiences, I have developed communication and teamwork skills. I am confident that I can represent my peers fairly and ensure their concerns are communicated clearly to the university. What are your ambitions for the role? If elected, I would focus on building better communication between students and staff. I would like to organise informal meetings where students can share their feedback. I also plan to encourage more social activities for Foundation students to help us build a strong community. My aim is to make sure everyone feels supported and included.
Tanz Virmani
Hello, I’m Tanz, currently studying the Legal Practice Course at the Manchester campus. I’m running to be your next Programme Representative because I care deeply about improving the academic experience for all students.I’m incredibly social, approachable and attentive. Therefore, I'm always happy to listen and help ensure that your voice is heard. With experience as both a legal advisor and a paralegal, I’ve developed strong communication, organisational and analytical skills. I’ll use these to identify patterns in feedback and help turn your concerns into meaningful improvements.By being your Programme Representative, I’m ready to make a positive difference by working with you.Let’s work together to make our time at ULaw the best it can be. Why do you think you are a good fit? I believe I’m a great fit for the Programme Representative role because I genuinely enjoy supporting others and creating positive change. I’m naturally social, approachable and a good listener – integral qualities that help me build trust and communicate effectively with my fellow peers. My experience as a legal advisor and paralegal has strengthened my skills in analysing information, identifying patterns, and finding practical solutions. These skills are essential for recognising common themes in student feedback and raising them at a cross-university level. I’ve also developed strong organisational and teamwork skills through academic and professional experience. Thus, by working with students and staff at all levels, I’m committed to representing my peers’ views clearly and constructively. This role offers a chance to give students a stronger voice and improve our learning experience. I’m excited to collaborate, listen, and lead positive change at ULaw. What are your ambitions for the role? My ambition as Programme Representative is to ensure every student’s voice is heard and valued. I want to create a transparent and accessible feedback system where students feel confident sharing their experiences. By identifying common themes in feedback, I’ll work with staff to implement practical changes that improve course content, teaching quality, and overall academic support.I also plan to organise regular forums and informal meet-ups where students can discuss their concerns and ideas openly. These events will help build a stronger community and ensure feedback reflects the diverse student body.Campaign-wise, I want to focus on streamlining and balancing the academic workload, issues many students face while on the LPC course.Ultimately, I’m committed to working closely with students and university staff at all levels to drive real, student-led change at ULaw.
Izzy Sarmiento
Hi! I’m Izota (Izzy) Sarmiento, your fellow part-time online MA Law with SQE1 student. I'm an International Politics & Spanish graduate from University of Liverpool, currently living in Exeter where I work part-time at the Crown Prosecution Service.A few interesting facts about me:1. I speak 4 languages fluently and have called 3 different countries ‘home’.2. Alongside my previous full-time role as paralegal, I recently worked with BBC 3 translating footage for a documentary released in May 2025. 3. I recently adopted a Turkish Angora kitten following my recent move to Exeter.4. I make a delicious focaccia (happy to share recipes)5. I was awarded the Career Changer Scholarship by ULaw for the PgDL course in 2023, however, I chickened out of the course as I really liked working full time post-graduation in 2022. Best decision ever. Why do you think you are a good fit? My leadership speaks volumes: as Amnesty International president at Liverpool, I led our team to win Society of the Year, proof I materialise solutions, not just identify problems. Vote for me, and together we'll enhance the academic experience for all part-time online MA Law with SQE1 students. Speaking 4 languages and living in 3 countries gives me global perspective to connect with all students. My roles from SEN Teaching Assistant to Paralegal demonstrate essential relationship-building skills for working across stakeholder groups. I believe in turning voices into action. With legal sector experience, I understand our conversion course challenges and am committed to transforming feedback into real improvements. Currently balancing part-time studies, Crown Prosecution Service work, volunteering, and yoga shows my time management skills and understanding of fellow student pressures. I'm not making empty promises - I deliver results and make real change happen. What are your ambitions for the role? If elected, I will:1. Create a feedback loop that actually works. Regular channels for you to share concerns, ensure academic coordinators act on them promptly, and follow up to make sure the solutions actually work for you. No more feedback disappearing into the void! 2. Foster interactive learning and community. I will create a buddy system to practice for oral exams (4-6 members per group for a refreshing exchange of ideas), organise ideas sharing sessions beyond the LSSS groups, court visits for those in the same city & for those who cannot attend court visits to receive feedback from those who went. This enhances practical learning while creating professional relationships across different locations. 3. Build cross-programme unity. I will collaborate with Programme Representatives across all courses to tackle university-wide issues together. We'll tackle systemic issues that affect everyone, from part-time students juggling work to international students navigating new systems.
Oliver Beasley
Hi there, I’m Oliver Beasley and I’m studying MSc Project Management. Before this, I completed a BA in History at the University of Exeter, where I focused on Rwanda and Northern Ireland. The module that I’m most looking forward to studying is Process Improvement & Lean Management and I aspire to move into management consulting after my studies. Outside of academia, you can find me on the golf course whenever there is a sunny day, or on the ski slopes if not. In my spare time I serve with the Army Reserve, which is something that I find particularly exciting and rewarding. You can count on me to champion graduate employability within all postgraduate business courses. Why do you think you are a good fit? I am a strong fit for this role because I bring both relevant leadership experience as well as a passion to represent us all in this capacity. In the professional world I have experience as a shift manager leading efficiency enhancements and solving problems. I’ve also led teams in high pressure scenarios in the military and these skills translate directly into representing students effectively. I also know first hand the struggle of applying for graduate jobs, and that’s why I want to champion employability. Having been through the process myself, I’m in the best place to push for initiatives that make a real difference for postgraduate business students at ULaw, setting them up for the world of work after university. What are your ambitions for the role? According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey, of the 2022/23 cohort of graduates, 58500 were unemployed 15 months after graduation. Alongside this, over a third of graduates are in roles for which they are overqualified according to CIPD and for top graduate schemes in London there are hundreds of applications each year for every available spot. As Postgraduate Business Rep, I will campaign for our courses to focus on employability, setting us up for better chances in this tough climate. I plan to increase the availability of networking events with business leaders, and employers hosted at both campus and online fairs. On top of this, I want directed workshops in the business, consulting and management spheres which will promote educated applications to graduate schemes after our studies.
Noor Fakouri
Hi, I’m Noor! I’m based at the University of Law and currently studying the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1 & 2). This is my fourth year at ULaw, as I also completed my undergraduate degree here, so the university has been at the heart of my journey.I spent the past year doing a fashion course, exploring my creative side and then worked as a paralegal for the rest of the year, gaining valuable legal experience. That balance of creativity and legal practice has shaped the way I approach challenges now.Since this is probably the last year of education for many of us, I think it’s important that we make the most of the journey together. Why do you think you are a good fit? This is my fourth year at ULaw, and during that time I’ve experienced both the challenges and the support the university offers. I’d like to help make that support even stronger for our group. I want students to feel comfortable coming to me with concerns or feedback, knowing I’ll take it forward. It’s great having support from the teams and lecturers, but having someone who is on the same journey makes a real difference – and my time here has given me a good understanding of how the university works. The SQE is already stressful, but with the right support and representation, our journey can be more manageable – and I’d be happy to play a part in that. What are your ambitions for the role? As Programme Rep, I want to bridge the gap between students and staff by passing on feedback clearly and making sure common issues, like unclear deadlines, or access to resources, are raised and acted on.I’d also love to organise more informal meet-ups, giving us the chance to connect outside the classroom and share experiences. For many of us, this may be our last year in education, so creating those moments to connect matters. Even something simple, like coffee catch-ups or relaxed study sessions, can go a long way in making the SQE feel more manageable and less isolating.Ultimately, my goal is to make our experience a little easier, a little less stressful and a lot more supportive, with space to connect as people, not just students.
Tooba Tarique
Great ideas don’t wait — they start with people bold enough to make them happen. I’m Tooba, and even before the Atelier Society has officially launched, I’ve already brought students together who believe in the vision. That’s what I do: I listen, I connect, and I build. As your course representative, I’ll bring that same drive — making sure every student’s voice is not just heard but transformed into real, visible improvements in our business course. If you want a representative who turns ideas into action, I’m ready. Why do you think you are a good fit? I am confident I would be an effective course representative because I combine strong leadership skills with a genuine commitment to listening and collaboration. I naturally take initiative, and I see challenges as opportunities to make improvements that benefit everyone. My peers know me as someone approachable and reliable, and I want to use that trust to ensure every student’s voice is heard and represented fairly. By building clear communication between students and staff, I will work to turn feedback into meaningful action and help shape a course experience we can all be proud of What are your ambitions for the role? My ambition as a course representative is to create a stronger bridge between students and staff, so feedback doesn’t just get collected but actually leads to visible improvements. I want to make sure every student feels their voice matters, whether it’s about teaching quality, resources, or the overall student experience. Ultimately, my goal is to help shape the course in a way that prepares us not just academically, but also for the business world we’re heading into — a course that’s engaging, practical, and responsive to our needs.
Sara Fernandez
Hey everyone, I'm Sara Fernandez and I am running to be your programme rep for undergraduate law in the London bloomsbury Campus. Here's a few things that you should know about me. I was born in Dubai and after 14 years I moved to London where I became house captain of my school, sergeant of my army cadets and made loads of new friends. Throughout this process of rebuilding my life, I have learned new languages, tried a variety of cuisines and gained an appreciation for a wide range of cultures. With this, I would like to leave you all with the security that not only do I want to be a programme rep for law, I also want to be your friend and support through it all. Why do you think you are a good fit? I believe I’d be a great Programme Rep for law because my goal is to not only raise concerns but help find solutions by raising connectivity within our course. My tenure as Form Captain taught me how important it is to make sure everyone’s voice is heard. Subsequently, as a Sergeant in Army Cadets, I balanced organisation, leadership, and teaching- mentoring younger cadets and, by analysing learning patterns, finding the best ways to help them learn more effectively. More recently, working as a Learning Support Assistant strengthened my listening and communication skills while supporting people with a range of needs. I’d bring all of this to the role: listening carefully, communicating clearly, and working with staff to push for positive changes like better access to resources and practical workshops. I’d also love to hold informal drop-ins, because some of the best ideas come up in a relaxed setting rather than a formal meeting. What are your ambitions for the role? In this position, I aim to focus on efforts that address challenges while enhancing our community spirit. I strongly support creating a healthier balance between study and rest, so I’d explore wellness programmes to ease deadline stress. I’d also work with the Law Society, gathering feedback to refine initiatives and make them more engaging. Organising exam prep workshops and study groups would be a priority, giving us effective strategies to build confidence before assessments. Inclusivity is key, and I’d seek students’ ideas on how to improve accessibility and representation within our course. On a lighter note, I’d love to explore retreats or social events where we can connect outside the classroom. Finally, I’d keep an open-door policy for new ideas- because the most impactful changes often come from listening to each other.
