RMIT Vietnam Student Council: Diverse threads form a shared voice

Long before the Student Council became an indispensable presence on campus, shaping student life at RMIT Vietnam, it began with a simple but meaningful idea: to advocate for student voice and enrich the student life experience on campus. 

Since its establishment, the Student Council has evolved over 14 generations from a blank slate into a structured and trusted student voice. In its early years, the Council was shaped by the needs of RMIT Vietnam students, defining its identity, iterating on its constitution, and laying the foundation for how it would engage students and collaborate across the University. Over time, these practices were refined and carried forward, transforming lived experience into a strong foundation for each new generation. 

“They were responsible for building the Student Council’s brand, constitution, and operations while also earning trust from wider stakeholders,” said Ms Trang Le, Manager of Student Activities (SGS), who has supported the Student Council since its formation. This dual responsibility laid the foundation for the Student Council to be recognised and valued by the University. 

To meet these expectations, early members learned to navigate the university environment, from managing partnerships to collaborating across departments. In the process, they developed the clarity and professionalism needed to represent the student body effectively, setting a standard for leadership that continues across generations. 

While the mission has remained consistent, the Student Council itself has continued to evolve. Now Student Activities Manager at Student Life SGS, Ms Trang has witnessed this evolution over more than 15 years, from its early uncertainty to the established, diverse community it is today. “The Student Council is not static. It grows alongside the student community it represents,” she noted. New roles, such as Diversity and Inclusion Officer and International Officer, reflect a broader and more inclusive understanding of student representation today. 

Behind every activation is a longer thread of impact - one that stretches far beyond a single day or semester. Over time, the Student Council’s work has evolved from creating moments to nurturing initiatives that gradually shaping student life into an integral part of campus culture. 

Student Council is where student voices come to life. Through initiatives such as Club Day, Pride Week, Tet for Tots, SSCCs, and recurring semester projects, ideas are explored, tested, and brought into reality. Each initiative adds a new thread to the tapestry, contributing to a more connected, vibrant, and inclusive student experience. 

Bao Nghi, Vice President from SGS Campus (Generation 12), describes this as turning empathy into something tangible: “The Student Council elevates the student voice by translating empathy into strategic action. Across our activities, events, and forums, students can genuinely feel how their voices take shape. More importantly, it empowers them to become co-creators of their own environment, where a sense of belonging and professional readiness go hand in hand.” 

For Phong Bùi, Clubs and Societies Officer from the Hanoi Campus (Generation 13), shares that the experience offered him a deeper understanding: “Serving as the Clubs and Societies Officer allowed me to build meaningful relationships while working closely with clubs and university departments across both campuses. It gave me a clearer view of how different stakeholders collaborate to enhance student life.” 

At the Hanoi campus, the Student Council has advocated for practical improvements that make a difference in students’ needs - such as increasing access to free motorbike parking tickets. While seemingly small, these changes speak directly to the everyday needs of the student community. 

Beyond this, the impact can be seen across campus life. Thien Ly, President of the Student Council (Generation 13), points to stronger support for clubs through funding student competitions and events, improved accessibility through features like audio-supported elevators, and thoughtful touches such as umbrellas on rainy days and wellbeing initiatives during high-pressure periods like Relax and Recharge. 

Individually, these changes may appear modest. Together, they signal something greater - a shift towards a student experience that is not simply delivered, but continuously shaped through listening, collaboration, and action. In the process, these efforts not only strengthen the capabilities of Student Council members but also weave a vibrant tapestry of student life across the entire community. 

For nearly 15 years, each generation of the Student Council has left something behind: lessons, standards, and a legacy that shapes what comes next. Rather than starting over, each cohort builds forward, responding to the needs of its time while carrying forward what matters most. The structure may evolve, but the direction remains clear, rooted in a shared mission and continuously reshaped by those who carry it. 

“Each generation carries forward the core mission and values of the Student Council, while also bringing its own creativity and leadership style. These ‘new patterns’ are expressed through initiatives and signature events that respond to the evolving needs of students and the wider community,” Ms. Trang asserted. Each cohort leaves a distinct footprint, contributing not only to student life in the moment but also to a more vibrant and inclusive campus culture over time. 

The Student Council brings together students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, creating a space where perspectives meet and are sharpened. Ly highlights the impact of that diversity: “Different perspectives sometimes lead to debates, but they also help us arrive at more balanced and creative solutions. This diversity allows us to better represent the student community as a whole.” While these differences may require more effort, they ultimately strengthen the Council’s impact, leading to more thoughtful ideas, more inclusive initiatives. 

Phong reflects on legacy as the one carried forward through action: “Building on what those before me had done, I focused on maintaining strong relationships with existing clubs and rebuilding connections where needed, always trying to support them in the most meaningful way.” 

Quach Tue Nhu, Clubs and Societies Officer from SGS Campus (Generation 12), believes that maintaining legacy is that each generation builds on what has already been established, allowing ideas, relationships, and impact to deepen over time. 

“I realised that impact doesn’t come from one-off highlights, but from connection and shared meaning,” she shared. “When students from different backgrounds come together, each club representing its own story within a larger community, those moments help people recognise where they belong. That’s what makes a legacy worth maintaining: it allows something meaningful to grow, instead of being rebuilt again and again.” 

The Student Council is, in many ways, a tapestry still in the making. Each generation brings new threads, shaped by its own perspectives and ambitions, yet always connected to those who came before. What began as a single effort has grown into something shared. And as long as students continue to seek a voice, a sense of belonging, and the chance to shape their own experience, that tapestry will keep expanding, stronger, more diverse, and unmistakably their own. 

Story: Pham Thanh Thao, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam, with inputs from the students from SSET.