IT student wins scholarship

Otago Polytechnic international student Akaljot Singh Sodhi has been awarded a significant scholarship in recognition of his strong academic record, which promises a bright future in the IT industry.

With a passion for mathematics, web design and coding, Akaljot studied one semester of computer science in India before enrolling in the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) at OP’s Dunedin campus.

“I come from a very studious background, because my father is a mathematics teacher and my mother was principal,” he explains.

“My father is a very nice person, and he takes care of me really well and supports me. He has been lonely since my mother died of cancer two years ago, but he still encouraged me to study in New Zealand to experience a new culture and meet new people.”

Akaljot’s primary reason for applying for the $10,000 India STEM scholarship was to reduce the financial burden on his father.

“My father is the only one earning in my family to support me, so I’m very grateful to receive the scholarship. I can’t find the right words to say how much I appreciate it.” 

The academics who interviewed Akaljot as part of his scholarship application were impressed with his maturity, self-awareness, work ethic and genuinely curious nature. They described him as a high achiever with a strong passion for technology and a desire to understand how things work.

Akaljot says some of mathematics-related components of the BIT have come quite easily to him so far, but he’s also learning completely new skills and knowledge through the programme – in his networking class, for example. 

“We’ve been doing some practical work like wiring cables and joining console switches. Because it’s new to me, I’m finding it pretty interesting and challenging at the same time,” he says. “I'm very much enjoying my studies at OP. The lecturers are very welcoming, kind and helpful. They provide great guidance.”

Akaljot has found OP’s Student Success team to be friendly and supportive, too. They gave him a tour of the campus when he first arrived, have shared details of potential part-time job opportunities and provided information about the many student services on offer, such as free gym access. 

As well as focusing on his studies, Akaljot is busy embracing Kiwi life – even though he says the weather is colder and more unpredictable than the seasons he’s used to in India. 

“I like all the greenery here and it’s very pretty. I live by St Clair beach so I walk there each morning and often see sea lions,” he says. “I’m also looking forward to learning to surf. There isn’t much sea where I live so it’s quite an exciting thing for me. People here love doing water activities!’

Akaljot is a keen hiker who hopes to complete some of New Zealand’s great walks, and he also plans to try skydiving in Queenstown, perhaps with some of the friends he has made since going flatting.

As Akaljot continues to develop his IT expertise in Dunedin, it’s clear he has an impressive future ahead of him.

“My goal is to become an application developer, but my first task is to complete my bachelor’s degree here at OP. I’m interested in doing my master’s as well, and maybe even a PhD one day!”