International Student Representative (ISR) Muhammad Rafay Waqar is creating additional opportunities and resources to support more than 4,500 international students in the UC Davis community.

“Generally, the purpose of the ISR office is to represent international students and advocate for any issues they face,” he says. “Based on this, we’re pursuing mental health initiatives that will provide international students a safe space, whether they’re worried about studies, social life, or anything related to daily activities. I intend to do this by collaborating with certain RSOs, like Beautiful Mind Project and culture-based clubs such as the Bengali, Indian, and Pakistani student associations.”

One project Waqar plans to promote is the International Student Round Table, a seminar that began before his term as representative. The goal is to increase transparency within ASUCD and ensure students feel comfortable sharing their challenges. Waqar hopes to raise awareness of resources available to students who may be struggling academically or socially at UC Davis.

He also aims to organize cultural events where international students can “represent their own culture through poetry, dressing up, and food.”

“These larger events would involve collaboration with not only RSOs but also UC Davis departments like MENASA (Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian),” he says. “The idea is to give international students a platform to share their culture and feel at home.”