UQ Diversity Week panel discussion focuses on globalisation

Broadcaster Richard Fidler will participate in UQ’s annual Diversity Week celebrations (May 24-28) to chair a conversation with eminent panellists on the theme, Our Global Community.

The host of ABC's popular radio show, Conversations with Richard Fidler, he will facilitate the panel discussion as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards event on Thursday, May 27 from 4.30pm at the UQ Centre, St Lucia.

Professor Fazal Rizvi, of the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois and Dr Anna Ciccarelli, UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) designate, are guest panellists at the awards night.

UQ’s Diversity Week is held each year to highlight and celebrate the many faces of the University community and encourage students, staff and the general community to consider issues of diversity under one overarching theme, which this year is Our Global Community.

Diversity Week 2010 will generate discussion around the potential directions of globalisation and its impacts on a multicultural university and society.

One of the highlights is the presentation of the Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the University. The awards are valued at $10,000 for the winner and $5000 for the runner-up.

UQ Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Keniger said the awards night panel discussion was a great way to evoke a lively debate on an issue that was relevant to the modern world.

“Any focus by the University community on the benefits of globalisation inevitably highlights and celebrates the cultural diversity of students, staff, alumni and partners,” he said.

“This is an apt theme for Diversity Week during UQ’s Centenary, because international students, staff and alumni helped shape the University and its achievements during its first century.

“Almost 9000 of our 40,000 students are international, hailing from more than 120 countries, and the network of almost 180,000 UQ alumni stretches around the globe.

“Now, as we start the second century, a key aim of the University is to share the benefits of learning and discovery with international communities,” Professor Keniger said.

UQ was the first Australian university to hold a week to celebrate and raise awareness of the diversity of its own people and broader communities.

Each year, students and staff are encouraged to organise events and other activities, and the University invites widespread community participation.

Mr Fidler will lead the featured panel on Thursday, May 27, with the discussion available for podcast after the event.

The Vice Chancellor’s Equity & Diversity Awards event is open to staff, students and guests of the University and is free of charge. Those interested in attending can register at www.uq.edu.au/diversity-week
Media: Jan King at UQ Communications (07 3365 1120)