Photo caption: UC staff and academics connect with alumni, future students and their families at UC’s first Open Day in Chennai.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) recently completed a five-city Open Day series in India, connecting with future students and their families in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kochi.
More than 225 people attended the events from 31 August–8 September, hearing from leading UC academics, meeting staff one-to-one and connecting with UC alumni who shared their experiences of studying in Ōtautahi Christchurch and where their qualifications have taken them.
Across presentations, conversations and interactive sessions, students explored degree and pathway options and were able to ask the questions that mattered to them – from entry requirements and career opportunities to student life in New Zealand.
Together, the events gave attendees a more personal sense of what studying at UC could look like, and the opportunity to explore how a New Zealand education could fit with their study and career ambitions.
One future student travelled seven hours by train to attend the Kochi event, describing the experience afterwards as “genuinely well worth the travel”.
“I haven't even made it back home yet, but I have already told my family all about the visit. It was an absolutely amazing experience.”
UC Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Dr David Craig said opportunities for UC staff to meet future students and their families face-to-face were an important part of building lasting connections between the University and India.
“Choosing to study overseas is a big decision, not just for students but for their families. Being able to sit down with our people, ask questions and get a better sense of what studying and living in another country might actually be like can make a real difference.
"We want students who come to UC from India to leave with more than a qualification. We want them to build the knowledge, confidence and experience to make their mark wherever their careers take them, and to feel at home – part of our community – while they're with us in Christchurch."
The Open Day series reflects the University’s growing engagement with India and the wider education connections between India and New Zealand, which can also be seen in the careers of UC graduates such as Dr Gregory King.
Dr King is Strength and Conditioning Coach for Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings, and his doctorate was among the qualifications recognised at UC's recent spring graduation celebrations.
His doctoral research at UC explored the strength qualities that enable fast bowlers to perform at their best, with a focus on developing evidence-based approaches to improving bowling speed and performance. Read more about Dr King’s research.
The 2026 India Open Day series was a first for UC in India, creating new opportunities to bring the UC experience directly to students and families considering New Zealand for their future study.
