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NISAU UK is the global voice of Indian students and alumni — a movement that transcends borders to empower, connect, and champion the Indian diaspora. Founded with the belief that education is not just a journey, but a force for nation-building, NISAU stands at the intersection of youth leadership, diplomacy, and opportunity. Recognised by governments, trusted by universities, and powered by passionate young leaders and professionals, we are a multi award-winning institution helping shape the global narrative around Indian talent. Through our work, we foster meaningful exchange, policy innovation, and collaboration between India and the wider world.
We exist to create impact — from influencing education policy and advocating for student welfare to delivering landmark events like the Achievers Honours, Farhan Akhtar at LSE, and high-impact bilateral summits. Our mission is to ensure that every Indian student abroad feels seen, supported, and inspired to lead. Whether it’s during moments of global crisis or celebrations of cultural achievement, NISAU is there — amplifying the voices and experiences of India’s youth.
Student and We are building the most influential Indian student and alumni network on the planet — because when India’s youth thrive globally, India rises universally.
Honoured for its work furthering the interests of Indian students in the UK and promoting the India-UK educational & cultural relationship.
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Recognised for providing exceptional support and resources to international students worldwide.
Honored for making a significant and lasting impact on the global higher education sector.
Acknowledged as a leading association who supported their membership in ways that go above and beyond standard expectations and whose work has had a long-lasting or significant impact.
Praised for delivering a creative and effective marketing campaign that engaged and inspired students internationally.
NISAU, originally called NISU, established by Sanam Arora as the first national organisation for the Indian student voice in the UK. Young Indians now have their Home Away From Home - a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven, grassroots organisation dedicated to student welfare. We started supporting students caught in the vicious cycle of ‘Bogus Colleges’.
We honoured icons Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi with our inaugural Fellowships — celebrating Indian culture and leadership at the heart of UK academia
Singer Arijit Singh became NISAU’s first Youth Icon, inspiring young Indians worldwide at his landmark London concert.
NISAU was the official student welcome partner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic UK visit. We coordinated the participation of thousands of Indian students and diaspora at Wembley Stadium, where PM Modi addressed a packed audience alongside UK PM David Cameron.
NISU evolved into NISAU, expanding to the full student lifecycle. Chairperson Sanam Arora was honoured at Indian High Commission and invited by the Government of India to policy sessions with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Foreign Secretary Dr. Jaishankar, and ministers — cementing NISAU’s role in diaspora policy.
NISAU led the largest-ever Indian youth delegation to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, where Sanam spoke at a plenary and lunched with PM Modi. Back in the UK, we launched Ideas for India and partnered with the UK NUS, embedding Indian student voice in the national movement.
NISAU received the UK–India Thought Leadership Award. We launched the UK–India Youth Awards with the Commonwealth Secretary General and unveiled our flagship India Townall, Perspective at the LSE, inaugurated by Rahul Gandhi in his first major UK address as Leader of the Indian Opposition.
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After 7 years of Fair Visa, Fair Chance, NISAU won back the Graduate Route visa, fuelling a 6x rise in Indian students choosing the UK. We also hosted Dr. Raghuram Rajan at KCL in his first major India-focused UK public dialogue.
During COVID, we supported 200,000+ students and aided India’s Vande Bharat repatriation. We launched #AskNISAU (1M+ viewers) to fight misinformation and the King’s India Series with NDTV, featuring leaders like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Manish Sisodia and Aaditya Thackeray.
NISAU campaigned to remove India from the UK’s Red List, mobilised media with NDTV’s #UnlockEducation, and helped deliver a £1mn relief fund for stranded students. Our advocacy also contributed to the UK–India Enhanced Trade Partnership, spotlighting mutual recognition and youth mobility.
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Marking 10 years of NISAU and India@75, we hosted Justice D.Y. Chandrachud at LSE, a viral Raghuram Rajan talk at KCL, and Barkha Dutt at Imperial. At the PIEoneer Awards, NISAU won Best Student Support, was named Association of the Year (HC), and Sanam Arora won Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education.
History was made with the launch of the India UK Achievers Honours at Parliament, celebrating 75 Young Achievers, 8 Outstanding Achievers, and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with a Lifetime Honour. With 600M+ reach, it redefined education diplomacy. We also hosted Farhan Akhtar at our Student Welcome Event, blending policy with culture.
We launched the India UK Education Conference, the largest platform of its kind (900+ leaders) — making students the agenda-setters. We defended the Graduate Route in the MAC review (all recommendations accepted). In India, Achievers Dialogues reached 180,000+ prospective students, we launched Employability Masterclasses, awarded $150K+ in scholarships to deserving students, and featured icons like Aditi Rao Hydari.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We commit to honesty, fairness and transparency, fostering trust by sincerely representing India and the UK with integrity and honour.
We aim to empower the Indian diaspora in the UK, while also engaging students in India, by providing a platform to connect, collaborate and lead, strengthening India - UK ties through advocacy, education and meaningful global contributions.
To be the foremost youth-led organisation empowering Indian students, alumni and young professionals globally, fostering strong India UK ties through leadership, knowledge sharing & impactful collaboration.
Established in 2012, the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU) began as a platform to unite Indian students in the UK. Today, it stands as the leading organisation representing Indian-origin students, alumni and young professionals. Through strategic collaborations with governmental and non-governmental bodies, NISAU champions youth-led leadership initiatives to strengthen the UK-India relationship and amplify the voice of India’s diaspora youth globally.
We take a holistic, youth-led approach to empowering the Indian diaspora in the UK. Through advocacy, cultural exchange, education and policy engagement, we create opportunities for young Indian-origin individuals to contribute meaningfully, working with governments and institutions to drive lasting impact.
Virendra Sharma served as the Labour MP for Ealing Southall from 2007 until his retirement in May 2024. Having arrived in the UK from India in 1968, he began his career as a bus conductor before transitioning into public service. He was a councillor in the London Borough of Ealing from 1982 to 2010 and served as Mayor. An alumnus of the London School of Economics, Sharma dedicated over five decades to public service, advocating for the Indian diaspora and fostering international cooperation. His legacy lies in empowering communities, elevating diaspora voices, and advancing the India-UK partnership on the global stage.
Former Member of UK Parliament, UK Senior Leader, Labour Party
Lord Karan Bilimoria is the founder of Cobra Beer and serves as the Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Ltd. In July 2014, he was installed as the seventh Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, becoming the first Indian-born Chancellor of a Russell Group University in Great Britain. He is also the founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council and has been recognised for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship. He stands as a symbol of entrepreneurial excellence and a bridge between two great nations.
Founder of Cobra | Beer Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Ltd
Dr. Shashi Tharoor is a four-time elected Member of Parliament representing Thiruvananthapuram. He has previously served as Minister of State for External Affairs and as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. A renowned author and diplomat, he currently chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. He continues to shape India's global narrative through intellect, diplomacy, and visionary leadership.
Honourable Member of Indian Parliament, Author, Former Under Secretary General, United Nations
Lord Rami Ranger is a successful businessman who has been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen on eight occasions, six times for Business and twice personally for community services. He was made a Member of British Empire in 2005 and Commander of British Empire in 2016. His company, Sun Mark Ltd, made British business history by winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for five consecutive years (2009-2013). Sun Mark also featured in The Sunday Times "Profit Track 100" list for three consecutive years, ranking among Britain’s most profitable companies.
Chairperson, SunMark Limited
