Indian High Commissioner Visits SIT Invercargill

The High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Ms Neeta Bhushan, visited Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) in Invercargill on 14 May as part of her official tour to engage with Indian students and local stakeholders.

Accompanied by her husband, Mr Anurag Bhushan, Additional Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Ms Bhushan toured the SIT campus, where she was welcomed by SIT Management and staff from the International Department.

A key part of her visit involved meeting with Indian students currently enrolled at SIT across a range of programmes, including Nursing, Applied Management, Cookery and Hotel Management. During the informal gathering, Ms Bhushan listened to the students’ academic experiences and future aspirations, while offering advice and highlighting potential support from the High Commission.

She encouraged students to form an Indian student association at SIT to foster community spirit and mutual support. "She suggested that we could create an Indian association, so all Indians can meet and have refreshments [every fortnight] and celebrate Indian festivals at SIT. She will support us in this," said Chanchal Saini, a Master of Applied Management student.

Bachelor of Nursing student, Arshdeep Kaur, described the meeting as a meaningful experience. “...we can celebrate [Indian] festivals together, give advice to each other, we can share problems – the older students can support the younger students.”

Cookery student Tarun Das, who also met Ms Bhushan at SIT and later served on the chef’s team at the Langlands Hotel where she dined, appreciated the opportunity. “It was a good idea... she asked us lots of questions and gave us some recommendations.”

Ms Bhushan’s itinerary also included discussions with the Southland Business Chamber and other local business representatives, where she explored opportunities to strengthen economic connections between regional New Zealand and India.

Later in the evening, she took part in a panel discussion at Hansen Hall, organised by the Indian Community in Southland. The panel, which included Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell, Invercargill Licensing Trust CFO Bharat Guha, Southland District Councillor Jaspreet Boparai and SIT Operations Lead Daryl Haggerty, addressed the topic: ‘Opportunities, Challenges and Integration for Indians in Southland’.

Dr Teri McClelland, Acting International Manager at SIT, praised the students who engaged with the High Commissioner. “It was great seeing them connect with their high commissioner and to hear about their goals and how their study at SIT is enabling them for their future careers.”