(Pictured left to right): The High Commissioner of India Muktesh K. Pardeshi and UC Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Arts Professor Jonathan Le Cocq.
The High Commissioner of India, Muktesh K. Pardeshi, paid a special visit to the University of Canterbury (UC) campus recently. During the visit, a new $15,000 scholarship was announced.
The High Commission chose Christchurch as the first stop on a tour of the South Island, on 22 November. On arrival, the High Commissioner was greeted by UC senior management, senior members of the Christchurch Indian Association, and a large group of UC students and alumni.
UC Economics and Political Science & International Relations student Manny Pohl welcomed the High Commissioner speaking about the important role Indian students play on campus by helping local students gain different perspectives on culture. Manny spoke about how international students were “part of the family” and hoped they would further connect by joining one or more of the 180 clubs UC has to offer.
UC Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Arts Professor Jonathan Le Cocq introduced Mr Pardeshi, speaking about the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth and how the first immigrants from India settled in New Zealand in the early 1800s.
During a speech, the High Commissioner expressed how happy he was that UC’s Indian student enrolment had gone from single digits in 2011 to well over 200 in 2019. The High Commissioner announced plans to visit UC again in 2020 during ‘The Festival India’ tour of New Zealand, featuring Indian cuisine and culture. He expressed hope UC would play an important part in promoting the festival in the South Island.
After the speech, Natu Rama from the Cultural Society of India spoke about Indian history in Christchurch and at UC. He made an official announcement of a $15,000 scholarship his trust was donating for Indian students at UC.
After the speeches, the High Commissioner stayed to speak with students and alumni over lunch. With the High Commissioner was Paramjeet Singh, Second Secretary of the High Commission of India.
