Voting: UTS Council — special election of a postgraduate student

Candidates in ballot paper order

• George Tulloch
• Karuna Prasad
• Sreekar Reddy Edulapalli
• Olga Specjalska
• Katia Liaros
• Obiora Okonkwo
• Giles Gunesekera OAM

Candidates' statements

George Tulloch

As a research student in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and startup founder, I bring technical leadership and governance experience to UTS Council. My research at UTS focuses on AI-driven noise control to support harmonious, more sustainable cities. The university must be accountable to its students and the public good, champion equity, support research that matters, and protect academic freedom. Through these challenging times for academia, we need steady hands that will ensure workers' and students’ rights are at the forefront. I will fight for a more inclusive, democratic, and transparent UTS, where students are empowered in decision-making. I’ll bring strategic focus, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering commitment to student advocacy. Together, we can build a bold, innovative and fair university that’s ready for Australia’s future.

Karuna Prasad

Hello everyone! My name is Karuna and I am pursuing a Master of Management (Extension). I am honoured to be nominated for the UTS Council – Special Election (PG Students). With a leadership experience and deep appreciation for diversity within our postgraduate community, I aim to advocate for inclusivity, peer engagement, and academic support. I am dedicated to amplifying fellow students' voices and, if elected, I will strive and ensure our concerns are prioritised. I respectfully seek your support to create a more supportive campus for all my fellow postgraduate family.

Thank you.

Sreekar Reddy Edulapalli

Hi, I’m Sreekar Reddy, a Master of Artificial Intelligence student at UTS and a passionate advocate for inclusion, transparency, and student well-being. With prior industry experience at IBM and a strong volunteering presence across UTS (TalkFest, Free Pantry, Red Cross, R.N.A), I understand the challenges international and postgraduate students face.

I’m running to be your voice on the UTS Council - to ensure that decisions made at the top reflect our needs on the ground. From campus experience to academic policies, I want to represent students like us with integrity, empathy, and action. I will advocate for clearer communication, stronger academic and mental health support, and opportunities for leadership beyond the classroom.

If elected, I’ll prioritize better communication between council and students, more support for postgrads, and a stronger push for inclusive growth at UTS.

Let’s make student leadership count and raise our voice where it matters.

Olga Specjalska

I'm Olga Specjalska, a UTS PhD researcher bringing over a decade of corporate leadership experience to represent our postgraduate community. On Council, I'll elevate critical postgraduate issues, advocate for strategic resource allocation that maximises research impact, and ensure our perspectives inform key policies. As academia transforms with technological change and shifting societal needs, I aim to help position UTS at the forefront of innovation while safeguarding research integrity and excellence. Having navigated both corporate and academic environments, I understand our daily challenges. I will focus on initiatives strengthening UTS's contributions to knowledge and society while creating robust opportunities for researchers and graduates. I am committed to being accessible and accountable, actively representing the diverse needs of our postgraduate community as we collectively shape the future of academia.

Katia Liaros

No candidate statement provided.

Obiora Okonkwo

My name is Obiora Okonkwo and I'm a postgraduate student at UTS focusing on Property Development and Project Management. With over ten years experience in Construction, Consulting, Education, and Logistics, I've gained valuable insights and leadership skills. I graduated with First Class Honors in Architecture and have several international certifications that show my commitment to learning and improvement. I'm passionate about making sure all voices in the postgraduate community are heard and their needs are considered in UTS's planning. As a people person as I’ve been told many times in the past, I have further developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills from my leadership roles making me well equipped to actively participate in Council discussions and decisions. I'm dedicated to supporting innovative, inclusive, and student-focused policies at UTS while upholding the school's values. I believe my practical experience and proactive attitude will be a great asset to the UTS Council.

Giles Gunesekera OAM

As a PhD student at UTS, I am honoured to nominate for the Council. I have over 30 years of leadership across finance, education, governance and social impact. I bring a strategic mindset grounded in ethical decision-making and inclusive practice. I have served on numerous boards in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors and my PhD is focused on affordable housing and marginalised communities.

In 2013, I was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for my contribution to social welfare and community service. As a first-generation Australian, I am committed to equity, sustainability, and ensuring the voices of diverse communities including First Nations peoples, multicultural and migrant backgrounds are reflected in decision-making. I will advocate for meaningful representation of postgraduate students and their academic and wellbeing needs. UTS has a unique opportunity to shape a bold and just future, and I welcome the chance to shape this journey.

How to vote in an online ballot

1. Note your candidate choices and preference order.
2. Log in to UTS: Elections Online Polling Booth.
3. Choose the election you wish to vote in.
4. Select the candidates you wish to vote for.
5. Check your vote.
6. When you are ready, choose 'submit' to record your vote.

Conduct

Participants in elections (candidates, their representatives and voters) are expected to follow the same high standard of conduct and behaviour during the campaign process as is expected on campus generally. The behaviour of election candidates and their representatives should meet expected standards of conduct. See Code of Conduct for UTS Elections.

Concerns about security due to election-related conduct should be reported to UTS Security. Phone +61 2 9514 1192, or dial ‘6’ on any UTS phone.

Further information

The schedule for this election has information about the election rules, Returning Officer and UTS Council.

See Voting for information about votes, confidentiality and results.