Even a global pandemic couldn’t stop University of Queensland students from celebrating cultural diversity for Harmony Day at the UQ’s Gatton campus.
Associate Professor Joerg Henning, Director of Students and Admissions, International Recruitment Coordinator and a member of the UQ Cultural Inclusion Council, said it was more important than ever to celebrate UQ’s multiculturalism.
“It’s been a tough year – many of us are disconnected from our friends, colleagues and cultures around the world,” Dr Henning said.
“So we thought it would be great to come together – safely – to celebrate cultural and religious diversity on campus, and to foster a sense of belonging.
“Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and every year we try and get involved to celebrate it.
“Together, with international student representatives from UQ’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) (BVSc) program, we organise events for international students, while trying to mix domestic and international students socially.
“The BVSc program approximately one-third of students are international students, coming from cultural and religious diverse backgrounds.
“For new international students arriving on the Gatton Campus, it’s important to develop connections with their fellow students in their new learning and living environment.”
Planned events are aligned with UQ’s practicing principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and aim to create a vibrant and inclusive environment.
“One of these events – the most delicious – is our International Food Festival.
“Normally students would cook together or prepare the foods from around the world, but this wasn’t possible this year due to COVID 19, so we instead catered.
“While listing to international music, international students enrolled in UQ’s BVSc and Bachelor of Veterinary Technology programs had chance to meet, getting to know each other and celebrating their cultural diversity, while indulging in delicious dishes from around the world.”
Other events organised later in the year will focus on engaging with international students that were unable to travel to Australia, due to the travel restrictions.
“We’ve been doing our best to work around the restrictions – holding a games night on Zoom, for example – but we’re looking forward to more in-person cultural exchanges between domestic and international students,” Dr Henning said.
“We’re even thinking of holding a talent contest in when international students return.
“Events like these are critical for establishing an inclusive and supportive international student community, and an engaging living and learning environment, for all of our students.”
Media: Joerg Henning, j.henning@uq.edu.au, +61 5460 1846; Dominic Jarvis, dominic.jarvis@uq.edu.au, +61 413 334 924.
