Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 9. April 24 1978

What is NOSAC?

What is NOSAC?

NOSAC is the abbreviation for the National Overseas student Action Committee.

It was established as a Standing Committee of New Zealand University Student Association (NZUSA) and consists of two national officers (the national coordinator and treasurer) International Vice President of NZUSA, the president of NZUSA, and a local coordinator from each campus. Each Campus has its own committee. Victoria's coordinator is Soo Cheng.

Historical Background and Formation

The New Zealand Government's major changes to the policy of the admission of private overseas students to New Zealand universities were announced late October 1976.

a) The number of students from any one country in any one year would be limited to 40% of the total intake; and
b) Private overseas students would be admitted from Middle East Countries to fill the vacuum.

The effect of this decision can be illustrated by the table below which shows the substantial drop in 1977 intake when compared to 1976 intake.

1976 1977 % changes
Auckland 134 111 —17.16
Waikato 66 32 —15.51
Massey 32 32
Victoria 147 78 —46.93
Canterbury 184 105 —42.93
Lincoln 12 7 —41.66
Otago 82 43 —47.56
Total 657 468 —37.9

(Source: OSAC Tables 1976 and 1977)

The anomalies of such a policy are:
1. That there was only an increase in one Middle East student against a substantial drop of about 250 students in 1977. Therefore the promise of in taking Middle East Students to fill the vacuum has not been satisified.
2. That the cutbacks of private overseas students has an apparent effect on Malaysian students alone; in actual fact it affects all the nationalities of overseas students.

The reason for this is simple, when Middle East students were not admitted to fill the vacancies, the total number of overseas students intake per year will be reduced. Then there will be a further reduction of the overseas students intake in the succeeding year as there will be a further reduction in Malaysian students intake, which is calculated at 40% based on the reduced figure of overseas student intake the year before. The continuous reducing of the base figure, which the percentage of a nationality of overseas students is calculated will reach at a certain point, the place where all the nationalities of overseas students are affected.

Anti-Cutback Campaign

Such anomalies were recognised by most of the overseas students and the issue was boiling throughout the country. Although there had been individual campus effort fighting the cutbacks, it was uncoordinated, weak and ineffective.

However, when the International Student Congress (ISC) was convened in Wellington in May 1977, with attendance of about 300 overseas students, NOSAC was formed to launch the Anti-Cutback Campaign.

With the concerted effort of both the New Zealand people and overseas students it has gained the full support of the seven University Councils and numerous public organisations. This can be seen as the first step of achieving the ultimate goal of lifting the cutbacks. However difficult the future campaign may be there stands a chance if we strive hard, for truth is on our side.

The Aims of NOSAC

Towards the end of 1977 it was recognised by the NOSAC committee that NOSAC should consider other aspects of the welfare of the overseas student apart from the welfare issue such as the anti-cutback campaign. Therefore NOSAC has the aims of conducting activities to promote understanding and relationship amongst overseas students.

However, the official aims of NOSAC are:
1. To undertake such action as is considered necessary by the committee in consultation with the president and /or IVP of NZUSA.
2. To conduct campaigns among both local and overseas students on matters of overseas student welfare in New Zealand.
3. To conduct educational campaigns to promote a better understanding of the social and economic conditions which exist in countries from which overseas students come.
4. To participate in such NZUSA campaigns on local, national and international levels as may be necessary to promote the interests of All students studying in New Zealand
5. To promote further cultural and social exchange between overseas students and the New Zealand people.

This year NOSAC will be actively involved in organising the ISC which will be held at Canterbury University. Students are encouraged to attend the Congress where they will learn and experience things which will enhance their understanding of the issues facing them.

NOSAC will question the use of LATOS as a means to screen students instead of its original function as a diagnostic test for overseas students.

There is great potential in NOSAC as a strong body representing and looking after the interests of overseas students. The realisation of that potential depends on the overseas students giving their support in each campus to their local committees.

Mutual cooperation between all overseas students' bodies is essential for a cohesive national body of overseas students. Your participation in NOSAC is greatly appreciated in contributing towards achieving its aims.

This article has appeared in different forms in Outlook I (the magazine of WMSSA) and Critic 3.