University of Otago health sciences first year student Irfaan Ariffin is in the process of re-establishing a Pakistan students’ association at the university, which, like a number of clubs, was dissolved during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"So we are trying to revive it now that Covid-19 is over and international student arrivals are increasing."
Mr Ariffin is head of the student and youth wing of the Pakistan Association of Otago, and has recently been appointed general secretary of the association.
The association was the recipient of a grant of $2500 from the Otago Community Trust’s rangatahi-led fund.
The funds will be put towards a youth networking and dialogue session which Mr Ariffin planned to run soon.
One of his aims was to make connections across different cultures.
"The Pakistan Association of Otago is not just for Pakistanis.
"Obviously, the priority is Pakistanis, but when you go to the level of youth like myself, you will find people who have close ties with Pakistan and also with other countries."
His own background was an example of this.
"My father is Indian, my mother is Pakistani, and I was raised in Singapore."
This family connection to three countries helped give him a broader multicultural perspective.
"As one of the children of parents who have left a country to go to another country, you have a multicultural opinion, and multicultural thinking.
"So I have my family heritage coming from Pakistan, but I also have the education that I obtained from Singapore.
"So I think that broadens the horizon a bit."
He aimed to use that multicultural approach as part of his work for the Pakistan Association of Otago as well as for the planned Pakistan students’ association.
Mr Ariffin is staying at Hayward College while he studies and said the support of people at the college had helped him feel welcome when he arrived.
The Otago International Student Association had also been a good source of support.
"And that’s what has empowered me to give back and do my part as well."
