Feeling at home at Oxford!
The University of Oxford welcome several hundred students with an Indian-origin each year. The number of Indians increase with inclusion of post-doctoral researchers, other academics and staff. There are many academics and institutions at Oxford that have been and are studying various facets of India. With such a thriving base, the University of Oxford-india Society (OIS) was established in 2003, with an aim to represent India and brought together a community at Oxford.
OIS have always strongly believed in the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam”, or global oneness. As such, our members also come from multiple ethnicity/nationalities. While the dominance of current students (undergraduates and graduates), research fellows and senior academics make us one of the largest student-led and elected international bodies at Oxford, a good portion of membership constitute our alumni.
We create a home away from home for Indian and related students. However, our efforts are not restricted to current students and we also run events that can help new students settle comfortably at Oxford. Our existing members realise the challenges frequently faced during transition to a new academic setting, city or country and as such they play a huge role by acting as friendly source of guidance to incoming students every year. The university offices are the main source of advice for students and we work alongside to ensure a smooth experience for Indians.
Our activities include hosting a diverse range of events throughout an academic year. Recently, we have curated a scheme entitled “Oxford-india Speaker Series”, where our goal is to bring together influential leaders, students and professionals to engage and connect thoughtfully over discussions on a vast range of subjects that are idea focused, foster learning and inspire conversations.
Under this program, we have attracted leaders such as, Dr Shashi Tharoor, Sourav Ganguly, Kailash Satyarthi, Advocate Abha Singh, Dr Ajay Piramal, Radhanath Swami, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Ambassador Dinesh Patnaik, Salman Khurshid, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Meenakshi Arora, Mahesh Jethmalani, to name a few, to examine and speak about issues ranging from politics to business, culture to law etc. with a primary focus on India. We regularly host contemporary Indian debates and panel events.
Our cultural events involve organising dance, musical and theatre performances. In the past, we have facilitated individual performances by renowned Indian artists, such as, Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Mysore Brothers and festivals showing Indian classical arts and South Asian performing arts. Last year, OIS had the opportunity to partner and celebrate the concluding highlights of the fruitful Uk-india Year of Culture.
Our social events are large celebrations of Indian festivals and national occasions, exciting Bollywood nights, food festivals and social meets with broader south Asian base.
These all provide an opportunity for students to connect with each other and develop a supportive network.
Further, we actively promote the favourite Indian sports, for instance, cricket, kabaddi, badminton and football along with university sports clubs.
Cricket fever is witnessed during summers at Oxford, with representatives of various nations competing in an annual series. Our players also participate in different sports in national competitions hosted by various Indian organisations in the UK. Our teams have performed excellently, at times claiming the series titles.
Several initiatives and the guidance of our senior advisors have added to the growth of our society as an inclusive platform, making OIS well recognised and applauded for its India related activities. Today, we extensively work together with many institutions within and outside Oxford.
Our major collaborations for speaker events are with the Asian Studies Centre at St. Antony’s College, the Oxford-india Centre for Sustainable Development at Somerville College and Said Business School. We often host our social, cultural or charitable events in partnership with other India related institutions, South Asian Societies and many Oxford Colleges. The support of these partners have allowed OIS to hold a great outreach and increase the impact of its work.