USQ Celebrates Internationalisation and Multiculturalism

The University celebrated internationalisation and multiculturalism on Wednesday 24 March 2010. The Multicultural Centre organised the event which took place at the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre starting at 12.15pm and finished at 2.00pm.

The aim of the program was to show the University's continued commitment to multiculturalism, allowing students, staff and the local community to come together and share their unique cultures which are many and varied in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. The event was well attended.

Acknowledgement of the Indigenous land on which the program was taking place was provided by Mrs Maree Toombs, Lecturer at the Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowleges (CAIK).

Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, Director, Multicultural Centre carried out the Master of Ceremony duties welcoming all who were in attendance.

Special guests who were invited to speak during the official portion of the event included:

• Professor Peter Goodall, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice);

• Mr Detlef Sulzer, The Honorary Consul of Germany;

• Professor Sarva-Daman Singh, The Honorary Consul of India.

 Entertainment followed with a number of traditional performances presented:

• Indigenous Digeri Doo and dance performance;

• African outback songs and dances;

• Women in Harmony  Choir;

• Dances from Saudi Arabia;

• Bollywood dances;

• South American traditional and contemporary dances and;

• International Fashion Show.

The Saudi Arabia Toowoomba Association generously provided traditional coffee with dates for attendees.

The USQ Refectory was in full support of the event by putting a variety of international specialities on their menu during the day, including:

• Lebanese beef & tabouleh wrap (Middle Eastern);

• Mexican beef burritos (Mexican);

• Spicy lamb kebabs on tomato cous cous (African);

• Tamatie Bredie (Tomato & beef stew)(African);

• Seafood combination fried rice (Chinese);

• Crispy fried lemon chicken (Chinese);

• Beef rojan josh (Indian);

• Thai curry vegetables (Thai);

• Chicken Laska noodle boxes (Thai).