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Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 7. April 9 1979
International Students Congress
International Students Congress
History
The first Overseas Students Congress (after 1977 it was resumed International Students Congress) was held in 1971 in a remote camp site near Picton. Since then, it was held biennually, Lincoln College and Auckland was the respective host for the 1973 and 1975 Congress.
1977
| a) | Overseas Students Congress should be renamed as International Students Congress in future. The reason for the change was to include a wider spectrum of participants by replacing the word Overseas, with 'International', it means that Fiji, Phillipines. Singapore. Malaysian students etc, can take part in the Congress to foster a cordial friendship, better understanding, free discussion and exchange knowledge. |
| b) | It was also decided that ISC should be an annual event. |
| c) | The formation of National Overseas Students' Action Committee (NOSAO was one of the most important aspects of the Congress. It consists of one National Coordinator, one Accountant/Secretary, one representative from each campus and the President of NZUSA (ex-officio). The main priority of NOSAC then was to launch a campaign to fight the cutback of overseas students through the concerted effort and determination of both local and overseas students. The campaign was very successful to refute most of the myths spread about cutting back the numbers of o'seas students. |
1978
There were several hundred students who participated in this Congress which was held in the University of Canterbury Students Union in Christchurch.
The theme of the 1978 ISC was "Friend Ship. Understanding and Unity"
The programmes ranging from photographic exhibition, social evening to forums, workshops etc.
A grand cultural concert was held incorporating various cultural items contributed by both local and overseas students. The audience of 500 were entertained by items like choirs, folk dances. Maori action songs and dances, sketches, street theatre and musical performances. Some of the performances were not very far off from professional standard.
Sports, scenic tours of Christchurch, slides and films were organised to have a balance of both physical exercise and mental thinking.
Forums were organised to discuss the welfare problems of overseas students, the problems of Maori people in today's New Zealand society, woman in the Third World. In the work-shop session, groups were organised. The topics wre multinational companies, role of Religion in Development. Green Revolution and Food Products etc, and the students were urged to participate in those subjects which they are interested. Alot of participants were very enthusiastic to bring out their own view point and there was a good atmosphere of discussion.
1979
| Morning | - Opening of Congress |
| Afternoon | - Current development in South East Asia (forum) |
| Evening | - Informal Evening |
| Morning | - Topics about NZ |
| Afternoon | - Recreation |
| Evening | - Films and slides |
| Morning | - Malaysia. Singapore and the South Pacific (workshop) |
| Afternoon | - 1st half - Summary of workshop - 2nd half - Preparation for Evening |
| Evening | - Informal Cultural Evening |
| Morning | - Role of Students (work-shops) |
| Afternoon | - Plenary and Ejection |
| Evening | - Farewell gathering |
If any students have any valuable suggestion on the programmes, we will be very happy to consider it. So please do not keep it to yourself.
Transport, food and accommodation will be arranged for any participants.
The success of this Congress entirely depends on all you students So if you like to see the interest of Overseas Students discussed, then come and make it well-effort successful Congress.
See you in Auckland.
Anybody interested, please ring M. Khor phone '58-099.
NOSAC (Wellington)