National Indian Students Union UK

National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK

Logo of National Indian Students and Alumni Union

National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (previously the National Indian Students Union UK, also known as NISAU, NISU or NISU UK) founded in 2011 at London School of Economics is the umbrella organisation representing the students and alumni of Indian origin in the UK.

NISAU presently has its presence in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland with has over 25 affiliate societies across the UK. Few prominent universities/colleges where NISAU is represented by its affiliate societies includes London School of Economics, King's College London, Queen Mary University of London, University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, Queen's University Belfast, University of Sheffield, University of York, University of Lancaster, University of Warwick, University of Middlesex, Cardiff University etc.

Patrons of this youth-oriented organisation includes Member of Parliament (House of Commons) Virendra Sharma, Dr Rami Ranger CBE, the former Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK Dr Virander Paul, Education minister of Haryana state Ram Bilas Sharma and Dr Shashi Tharoor who is an incumbent Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and former Under-Secretary General of United Nations.

Global icons like famous Bollywood writer Mr Javed Akhtar, versatile actress and member of Rajya Sabha Mrs Shabana Azmi, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr S. Y. Quraishi support this organisation as its honorary fellows.

Its Northern Ireland country chapter was launched officially by the British Council and the Mayor of Belfast.

Activities

The National Indian Students and Alumni Union has emerged as a voice of the Indian diaspora and Indian students in the UK getting accolades and appreciation from all corners. Most Indian and India – related societies in the UK are affiliated to NISAU and NISAU campaigns on issues affecting Indian students based in Britain. The most prominent campaign that NISAU has championed is raising awareness about issues surrounding international Indian students in the UK. NISAU was the first body to actively bring to stakeholder notice the plight of Indian students trapped in the vicious cycle of bogus colleges. It was to provide a platform for these issues to be brought to the attention of the respective governments that NISAU had been invited by the Indian High Commissioner of the UK to deliver an address at the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014 to discuss issues concerning the Indian students and youth in the UK.

NISAU actively promotes the welfare of international students in the UK.

Political and economic initiatives

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

NISAU, in order to pitch the voice of the Indian diaspora in the UK, has represented the British Indian diaspora at various governmental and non-governmental forums including at the flagship diaspora event organized by the Indian Government – Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 where NISAU President Sanam Arora was one of the only 5 speakers selected from the United Kingdom. In 2016, NISAU was invited to deliver an address on how the Indian diaspora can participate in India's transition to a knowledge economy and this was met with great response.

2015 UK Parliamentary Elections

NISAU ran a campaign called ‘My Vote Matters’ during the 2015 UK Parliamentary Elections urging the British Indian diaspora to exercise its voting privileges as well as urging commonwealth students to vote. This also included the launch of an International Student Manifesto.

Immigration and higher education in the UK

NISAU has participated in various governmental and non-governmental level discussions about current and future immigration policies. Although NISAU is campaigning for post study visa for students after graduation from an UK university, as highlighted by its "Fair Visa Fair Chance" initiative or by providing oral and written evidence to UK All Party Parliamentary Group on PSW visa, it has criticized strongly any visa abuses or any fraud practice to obtain a UK visa. NISAU proposed the Tier 5 internship scheme at an address at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum. At this forum NISAU highlighted the importance of international students in the UK, with a focus on the needs and desires of Indian students. NISAU has addressed the Westminster Higher Education Policy Forum on improving the international student experience in the UK on multiple occasions.

NISAU coordinates with numerous organisations including UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and the Indian High commission to protect Indian students from landing at bogus UK colleges by creating wide awareness believing that "There are no bogus students, only bogus colleges" and is, therefore, working hard to safeguard the interest of such students.

NISAU Scotland unit works actively with the Scottish Government in improving the immigration and other concerns Indian students and alumni have while in Scotland. NISAU Scotland has actively contributed in the Scottish Government's initiatives to bring back the Post Study Work Visa for Scotland.

NISAU has also collaborated with London and Partners to run a first of its kind research project into the experiences of Indian students and alumni in the UK.

Cultural initiatives

Honorary fellowship

Honorary Fellowship of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union is recognised as the highest honour that can be bestowed onto a non-member by the Union. The individual will have made significant and long-lasting contributions to India, Indian Culture and/or the welfare of Indian students and youth in the UK, or elsewhere. It is awarded in recognition of: (a) distinction in the arts, literature, science, business or public life; or (b) exceptional service to NISAU The NISAU bestowed its first Honorary Fellowships on to two legends of Indian Cinema, Mr Javed Akhtar and Mrs Shabana Azmi, for their exceptional services to Cinema and Society to mark the centenary year of Indian cinema. In 2016 former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr S. Y. Quraishi was awarded the NISAU Honorary Fellowship of the NISAU at an event at the High Commission of India, London. The fellowship was presented on NISAU's behalf by the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr Virander Paul.

Youth Icon Awards

NISAU has started Youth Icon Award from 2014. The first Youth Icon Award by NISAU was awarded to renowned playback singer Arijit Singh at a music function held at London O2 for being an inspiration to millions of Indian youngsters worldwide, in the field of music.

See also

• Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
• Rang De
• Global Organization for People of Indian Origin
• National Union of Students (United Kingdom)

External links

• www.nisu.org.uk
• NISU on NRI treatment by the High Commission of India – featured on Economic Times

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