The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) are celebrating cultural diversity this Harmony Day on Wednesday 21 March across its Toowoomba, Ipswich and Springfield campuses.

Staff and students are joining members of the community in a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.

Students at USQ currently represent 94 different countries throughout the university and a further 126 different languages are spoken by both students and USQ employees, with the university supporting, valuing and respecting a wide variety of cultural identities, languages and beliefs across the campuses.

USQ Deputy Vice Chancellor Carl Rallings says USQ is committed to inclusiveness and wants to foster an environment that values, supports and benefits from its multicultural community.

“We would love the local community to join our Harmony Day event as we celebrate Australia’s rich tapestry of cultural, social and religious diversity,” he says.

At USQ Toowoomba, the Honorary Consul of India Mrs Archana Singh will address students, as well as Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio, Multicultural Affairs Executive Director Wayne Briscoe and Toowoomba International Multicultural Society President Mrs Gitie House.

USQ Toowoomba’s Harmony Day event will include cultural performances including Chinese dragons, musical performances, along with international food stalls and a fashion show.

Harmony day events will be held across all three USQ campuses this month.

The variety of events will feature stalls and activities with representation from Bangladesh, Congo, India, Iraq, Japan, Hungary, Malaysia, Nepal, South Sudan, china and a variety of other cultures.

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