Cardiff Metropolitan University once again showcased the array of cultures represented at the University during its annual Global Week celebrations.
The Global Week initiative officially launched four years ago, celebrating the university’s cultural diversity. Students studying at the Cardiff-based campuses come from 101 different countries, while another 7,800 students study Cardiff Metropolitan courses at 13 international partner institutions across the world.
The university’s Global Week initiative enhances cultural awareness and encourages students and staff to interact, learn about different countries and traditions and participate in activities together. The timetable of activities, arranged by the University’s International and Partnerships Office, was filled with a range of student- and staff-led events, emphasising the importance and benefits of being a global citizen. Activities included a global village with international food, cooking challenges, music and traditions as well as an international fashion show.
One of this year’s highlights was the University’s sports tournament, held on Thursday 7 March at Cyncoed Campus in collaboration with the Students’ Union’s Fairtrade Fortnight. Several teams participated in the football and table tennis tournament, including a team from local sanctuary groups, such as The Gap, that support asylum seekers and refugees in Cardiff.
Natalie Buckland, International Student Support Manager at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “With the support of Sport Cardiff we were able to reach out further into the community. We’re so pleased to see local groups entering teams into the tournament. It highlights how, at Cardiff Met, we focus on inclusion and integration that goes beyond the University and into the community.
“Global week is an opportunity for students and staff to interact with their peers and learn about other cultures in celebration of our diversity on campus. This year we have taken it a step further and are expanding our programme to other cultural groups, strengthening the link between the University and Cardiff’s community.”
Since 2014 the University has held a variety of activities for international students to showcase their culture and encourage integration. In 2016 Cardiff Met’s Global Day was rebranded as Global Week after the annual event received an increasing interest.
Last year, Cardiff Met became the first ‘University of Sanctuary’ in Wales, which recognised the University’s commitment to providing a welcome and inclusivity to asylum seekers and refugees. In keeping with this, this year’s Global Week activities included raising awareness of why migrants flee their countries during war or persecution and the difficulties they face.
Global Week 2019 took place from Monday 4 to Friday 8 March with events held at both Llandaff and Cyncoed campuses.
