This makes us one of the most internationalized universities in the country, and certainly a top candidate for celebrating diversity. And that’s what we do every August at NMMU. We celebrate our wonderful differences with an equally diverse selection of events.
Of course, those differences range far beyond our own Rainbow nation collective through to the differences we have across our continent and across the world and goes far beyond colour. It also includes our differences in gender, age, size, culture, religion, ideas …
In fact, respect for diversity is one of NMMU’s six values, and possibly the university’s leading “unsold” selling point.
Ask any NMMU student what makes this university special and there’s a good change they will mention the mix of students and the value that this adds to their lives.
Or to quote Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar Kirsty-Lee Fouche: “I love working with people, meeting new ones and being exposed to others from all walks of life. I think it’s very important to embrace our differences and respect other cultures, beliefs, values and ideas.”
And this month, August, is when we celebrate those differences and appreciate how every individual is unique. Diversity at NMMU is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing these differences.
August allows us to really explore these differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment.
That’s why there are debates on stereotyping, food tasting sessions, photographic competitions, discussions, music concerts and even Russian language lessons …
It was Martin Luther King who said “we fear each other because we do not know each other”. So take advantage of this opportunity at NMMU or wherever you happen to live or work to put that fear aside and get to know someone of a different culture and colour to you.
Your life will be enriched.
Check out NMMU’s programme on http://ow.ly/zULsB and get involved.
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