Strong Indian voice at MIT

9 April 2013


Strong Indian voice at MIT

The Indian community has a strong voice at Manukau Institute of Technology following the establishment of the Indian Community Advisory Group.

MIT currently has over 1800 Indian students, which is approximately 10% of the student body.

Indian Community Advisory Group chairwoman Ranjna Patel says for this reason it is vital MIT receives quality advice and guidance about the needs and aspirations of the New Zealand Indian community.

This year the group has recommended several festivals and holidays of significance be celebrated on campus.

First will be the Sikh festival of Vaisikhi in April, followed by the Islamic holiday Eid in August and finally Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in November.

Open community forums are also planned for August and November. Ms Patel says the forums will allow the wider Indian community an opportunity to present ideas, provide feedback and gain a fuller understanding of what MIT can offer.

As the Indian community is so diverse in Counties Manukau, Ms Patel says ensuring all religions and ethnic groups are represented is a priority.

The founding members of the Indian Community Advisory Group are prominent members of the Indian community and represent a cross section of faiths and cultural backgrounds. They are Ranjna Patel, Feroz Ali, Rana Judge, Balubhai Mistry, Basra Sukhvinder, Gurmeeta Singh and Hari Singh. Representatives from MIT are Director of External Relations Stuart Middleton, External Relations Directorate Cilla Rathbun and International Recruitment Consultant Kerry Clarke.

External Relations Director Stuart Middleton says the Indian Community Advisory Group is very important to MIT.

“The group will greatly help us to further build the relationship we have with the Indian communities of southern Auckland. We have many Indian students at MIT and we value highly the contribution they make. I am looking forward very much to working with this excellent group of community leaders,” Dr Middleton says.

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