Tara Corcoran
22 March 2018: Staff and students have come together at the University of Canberra to celebrate cultural diversity, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging on Harmony Day.
Harmony Day is an annual event to celebrate multiculturalism and the inclusion and belonging of all Australians, regardless of their background or culture.
As part of the on-campus celebrations, the University’s cultural clubs ran food stalls with traditional dishes and entertained the crowd with dances, karaoke and a traditional Chinese lion dance. Students coloured in chalk mandalas and got henna tattoos between classes.
The University of Canberra is the perfect place to acknowledge and celebrate diversity, with 17,000 students hailing from more than 100 countries. Almost 30 per cent of students speak two or more languages, with more than 115 languages spoken on campus.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Nick Klomp said that the University is committed to being a leader in the sector when it comes to diversity and inclusion, as highlighted in the Strategic Plan – Distinctive by Design.
“The rich cultural tapestry of our community highlights the significant diversity of our relatively small institution and illustrates our international reach,” Professor Klomp said.
“This diversity strengthens us and ensures that new ideas and perspectives flourish at our University. It makes for a more enriching educational environment”.
The value of cultural understanding and a diverse environment was also recognised by students.
Josh Pearson, a politics and international relations student, spoke at the event about his international study experience and how an understanding of different cultures has changed how he approaches his studies.
“Through my overseas programs, I have gained first-hand experience of the differences of my own customs and values compared with those of other cultures,” Mr Pearson said.
“I’ve come to appreciate and celebrate those differences. Connecting to people, place and culture has given me a whole other dimension to my study.”
Rangga Jantan Wargadalam, an international student from Indonesia and PhD candidate in the Faculty of Arts and Design, spoke about treating others with respect in an increasingly globalised world.
“All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions,” he said.
“Collectively, these traditions have enriched this nation. Here at UC, we are privileged to be full of cultures and people from around the world.”
Harmony Day is a reminder that acknowledging, respecting and learning about cultural differences provides everyone with a safe and supportive environment to live and learn.
“The more aware we are of the stories, experiences and perspectives of those around us, the more empathetic and understanding we become,” Professor Klomp said.
“This makes us better scholars, better teachers, and a better community.”
