Brandt School Student Government

Student Government

The first student government at the Brandt School was elected by the student body in October 2012. The student government is currently in its 10th year with 6 elected members from the MPP student body. 

The student government serves as the main channel of communication between the Brandt School faculty and staff and its students. 

The student government holds meetings with the staff throughout the semester, in addition to holding a general meeting with the student body at least once per semester. Furthermore, the Student Government has organized panel discussions, informal get-togethers and fundraising events.

You can find out more about their initiatives here: Useful Links

You can contact them via social media: Instagram and via email: studgov.wbs@uni-erfurt.de.

SK Arman Hossain
SK Arman Hossain
Student Government President
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)

Biography

Hello everyone! I’m SK Arman Hossain from Bangladesh, currently pursuing a master’s in public policy at the Willy Brandt School, University of Erfurt. I hold a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Malaya in Malaysia. As a dedicated political activist, I am actively involved with a political party in Bangladesh, focusing on their research initiatives. I am passionate about promoting human unity and social consciousness. With a strong aspiration to become a policymaker in Bangladesh, I am here to deepen my understanding of policymaking and contribute to positive change. 

Vivek Raj
Vivek Raj
Student Government Secretary
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)

Biography

Namaste! My name is Vivek Raj and I belong to Bihar, one of the poorest state  in Northern part of India.  I am currently pursuing a Master's of Public Policy at the prestigious Willy Brandt School at the University of Erfurt, . Prior to this, I completed my undergraduate degree in law from the Campus Law Centre at Delhi University.

From an early age, I have cultivated a profound commitment to upholding human rights and promoting social justice. This dedication has guided my extensive internship experiences with organizations like the People's Union for Civil Liberties, the Department of Agriculture in Bihar, and the offices of Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. Through these roles, I have had the privilege of contributing to vital work safeguarding civil liberties, disability rights, housing rights, and shaping impactful policies.

Looking ahead, my ultimate aspiration is to become an influential policymaker serving the people of India. I hope to craft and implement equitable policies that uplift marginalized communities, protect human rights, and drive positive transformative change across the nation. With a robust academic foundation, diverse grassroots experience, and an unwavering ethical compass, I am determined to create lasting impact through impactful policymaking roles.

Yashaswini Nand
Yashaswini Nand
Student Government Treasurer
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)

Biography

Hello all!

Namaste!

I'm Yashaswini from India. I completed my bachelor’s degree in sociology from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai. 

Before starting my master’s here, I was working on the Aspirational District Project, a Public-Private Partnership project run by Niti Aayog, the official think-tank of the government of India.

I enjoy dancing and music.

As the treasurer, I'm responsible for handling the finance for activities at the Brandt school and I wish to create a cohesive environment for all.

Irene Osei-Owusu
Irene Osei-Owusu
Student Government Vice President
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)

Biography

Hello everyone!

I am Irene Osei-Owusu, your Vice President at the Willy Brandt School Student Government. I am a DAAD scholar from Ghana, and before joining the Brandt School, I worked in government, where I got a front-row seat to the fascinating (and sometimes puzzling) world of policy and finance.

When I am not knee-deep in coursework, you will likely find me on a tennis court, sightseeing around Germany, or catching up on some much-needed sleep (an underrated hobby, if you ask me).

My goal as Vice President is to make your time at the Brandt School smoother, more fun and filled with opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Got ideas, questions, or just want to chat? Get in touch 

Maryannita Anyango Odongo
Maryannita Anyango Odongo
Student Government Social Planner
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)

Biography

Halli Hallöchen!

I am Maryannita but everyone calls me Maya. I come from Nairobi, Kenya and I am your social planner. My professional background is in political science and from an academic standpoint, I am interested in matters digitalization of governance (e-democracy).

True to Kenyan athletic standards, I enjoy running, and yes, just like the world champion, Eliud Kipchoge.

We will interact on multiple social occasions since my task as social planner revolves around organizing engaging activities and excursions within campus, Erfurt and neighbouring towns.

Jenna Pearl Fabris
Jenna Pearl Fabris
Student Government Student Representative
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)

Biography

Hi! I’m Jenna, and I’m from the United States. Before joining the Willy Brandt School, I was a digital communication strategist working on advocacy campaigns, including projects to protect reproductive rights and fight against climate change. I’ve also worked as an organizer on several competitive political campaigns across the United States.

In my free time, you’ll find me going on a run or trying a new restaurant in Erfurt.

As the student representative, I am the point of contact between students and the Willy Brandt School. If you have problems with a class, lecturer, or any other MPP issues, feel free to react out.

Doctoral Student
(Willy Brandt School of Public Policy)
C19 – research building "Weltbeziehungen" / C19.02.11

Biography

Stephanie is a research associate to the Gerhard Haniel Professor for Public Policy and International Development, Prof. Achim Kemmerling. She is interested in political communication and computational social science. Her PhD project focuses on the public discourse on digitalisation and its socio-economic implications in Germany.

She holds a B.A. in International Cultural and Business Studies from the University of Passau and an M.A. in International Political Economy from King’s College London. In her B.A. thesis she studied the association between cosmopolitanism and migration by correlating survey results from several countries with data on migrant stocks. For her M.A. thesis she analysed issue salience in public opinion, the European Parliament and EU legislation, for which she relied on Eurobarometer survey results and a unique dataset of topics modelled with Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). Before joining the Brandt School, Stephanie gained professional experience in the public and private sector through different international internships and fellowships.