YUGSA 2026-2027 Executive Team

Sarah Hasbini , President

Email: president@yugsa.ca

Sarah Hasbini is the President of the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA). In this role, she is committed to advancing the interests and well-being of York’s graduate student community by advocating for accessible, equitable, and student-centered policies and initiatives. As President, Sarah works closely with university administration, faculty, and student leaders to ensure that graduate students’ voices are represented in institutional decision-making processes and that their academic, professional, and personal needs are effectively addressed.

Drawing on her previous experience in student leadership and equity advocacy, Sarah is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive graduate community where all students feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to succeed. She is particularly committed to strengthening communication between graduate students, faculty, and university administration and to ensuring that students have access to the resources and support necessary to thrive throughout their academic journeys.

Sarah brings a strong background in communication, civic engagement, and advocacy for social justice, equity, and inclusion. She holds a bachelor’s degree in media communication studies and political science and a master’s degree in political science and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Political Science at York University. Her academic and professional experiences have provided her with a deep understanding of the systemic challenges facing graduate students and marginalized communities, informing her commitment to collaborative leadership and meaningful institutional change.

Shantanu Mehra, Vice President of Internal

Email: internal@yugsa.ca

Shantanu (he/him) is a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology. He is passionate about student representation and matters related to academic freedom on university campus. He also enjoys music and tea.

Fatima Qaraan, Vice President of Finance

Email: finance@yugsa.ca

Fatima Qaraan is a 7th year PhD candidate in the Department of Politics. Her research examines how gender-role dynamics, social and cultural norms, and consent legislation shape child marriage in Canada. This research informs her approach to equity-focused budgeting and member support. She has served in multiple governance and advocacy roles supporting graduate students, including CUPE's Ways and Means Fund and the Childcare Committee.

As the VP of Finance, she works closely with the Finance and Health Plan Coordinator to manage the organization's budget and financial matters. She also administers bursaries and funding applications to support members experiencing financial precarity. Fatima has contributed to structural improvements within YUGSA, participating in the Bylaw Review Committee Working Group. She is committed to amplifying graduate student voices, improving resource accessibility, and addressing financial challenges faced by students in Toronto.

Aishwarya Bhattacharyya, Vice President of Campaigns

Email: campaigns@yugsa.ca

I am a PhD Year 3 Geography student. I have had the honour of representing the Geography Graduate Student Association as the YUGSA Councillor over last two years (2023-24, 2024-25), and as the GeoGSA VP. I was involved in the inventory work for the GeoGSA Mutual Aid Food Commons project (also known as the Founders’ Food Commons), which served the entire graduate student community during its open hours through the last 3903 strike. As a Unit 1 member, I am the incoming 3903 Joint Health and Safety Committee Coordinator (2026-27). At my previous university (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi), I served a union with a membership strength of 8,500+ students, speaking truth to power and successfully mobilising resources for resistance against the neoliberal onslaught on publicly funded education.

Esmaeel Abofakher, Vice President of Equity

Email: equity@yugsa.ca

Esmaeel Sharafadin Abofakher is a PhD student in Children, Childhood and Youth Studies at York University whose research focuses on youth wellbeing, migration, and the role of arts and community programs in building resilience and belonging.

Before coming to Canada, Esmaeel worked in the humanitarian sector with organizations such as the Danish Refugee Council and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, supporting displaced youth and communities affected by conflict.

Ankit Singh, Vice President of Community

Email: community@yugsa.ca

I am currently a third-year doctoral student in the Communication and Culture programme at York University. Prior to this, I completed my Master’s degree and MPhil at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. During my years there I spent four years organising with the All India Students’ Association, and later in my professional life I worked with the All India Central Council of Trade Unions. These experiences shaped my enduring belief that the concerns of students and the struggles of labour communities are intertwined.