Global Education as Soft Power: The Diplomatic Value of International Students
Sandeep Sharma, NZIIA Christchurch Branch Chair
Thursday, 23 October 2025 5:00 - 6:00pm (following Branch AGM from 4:00pm - 5:00pm)
Christchurch
University of Canterbury, James Logie 613 (entrance through Elsie Locke)
With MetService announcing a red wind warning for Canterbury from 10am to 4pm, both events will be online.
This means that our AGM will run from 4pm - 5pm, and our speaker event "Global Education as Soft Power" will run from 5pm - 6pm.
Sandeep Sharma has an accomplished and diverse background as an engineer, entrepreneur, and international trade and education diplomacy expert.
As CEO of Quality New Zealand Education Limited, he has worked closely with all eight New Zealand universities, as well as MFAT, NZTE and the Ministry of Education.
Join Sandeep for a discussion on his recently released book Good on You, Mate! — Kiwi Chronicles of an International Student, exploring his personal journey from Mumbai to Christchurch and reflecting on international education as a bridge for diplomacy, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.
With MetService announcing a red wind warning for Canterbury from 10am to 4pm, both events will be online.
This means that our AGM will run from 4pm - 5pm, and our speaker event "Global Education as Soft Power" will run from 5pm - 6pm.
Sandeep Sharma has an accomplished and diverse background as an engineer, entrepreneur, and international trade and education diplomacy expert.
As CEO of Quality New Zealand Education Limited, he has worked closely with all eight New Zealand universities, as well as MFAT, NZTE and the Ministry of Education.
Join Sandeep for a discussion on his recently released book Good on You, Mate! — Kiwi Chronicles of an International Student, exploring his personal journey from Mumbai to Christchurch and reflecting on international education as a bridge for diplomacy, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.
Membership
NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.