UHCL : UHCL Celebrates Cultures, Diversity For International Education Week

Press release from University of Houston-Clear Lake:

November 15, 2021

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State
and the U.S. Department of Education, and is celebrated Nov. 15-19 across the United
States. University of Houston-Clear Lake is recognizing its international students,
staff, and scholars by showcasing global programs and international opportunities,
as well as its cultural diversity.

The week's series of 19 events, entitled, "UHCL Goes Global," will feature visiting scholars, artists, and UHCL's vibrant international community.

Middle East scholar and Army officer Andrew Exum will lead a discussion entitled "The Middle East after America" on Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m., accessible both via Zoom and in person.

"The recent U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has precipitated great concern from our
allies in the region and elsewhere about the sustainability of U.S. commitments,"
said Diplomacy Institute Assistant Vice President Edmund Herod. "This is problematic for many reasons, especially
given the strategic importance of the region to the entire world. Dr. Exum, as both
a former military officer in the region, undersecretary of defense, and a published
scholar, provides unique perspectives on what will most likely happen next."

Herod added that remaining informed about events in Afghanistan was important for
college students in particular. "As future leaders, they will inherit the world which
is left to them, inclusive of problems, failures, and opportunities," he said.

UHCL Goes Global will also feature the annual Global Expo Cultural Extravaganza Nov. 18 from 2-4 p.m. in Atrium II of the Bayou Building.

"The GECE allows representatives from 14 regions share their culture. Everyone who
visits will receive a UHCL 'passport,' then check in with each booth and learn about
that region," said Firoj Gurung, coordinator of International Programs.

He said that once a person has had their passport stamped at each booth, they will
receive a ticket to enjoy a free meal with a special menu chosen specifically for
this event.

"The menu includes garlic butter rice, plain naan, chickpea curry, a veggie eggroll
with spicy ponzu, and west African lime cake," he said. "The menu incorporates food
from all different regions of the world, and we hope everyone will learn something
about each country's culture as they try it."

As part of UHCL Goes Global, UHCL's Diplomacy Institute also joined with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and Public Art of the University of Houston
System in celebrating the Qatar-U.S. 2021 Year of Culture. Muna Al-Bader, a Qatari
muralist, unveiled a mural at University of Houston's main campus on Nov. 12.

"The mural is about my childhood, and about protecting the future of Qatar and the
U.S.," Al-Bader said. "It's about the urbanization of the two countries. It's about
the diversity of cultures — this is what I have noticed here in Houston," she said.
"If we learn about other cultures and nations, this is how you get educated," she
said.

Gurung said events like International Education Week help to enhance intercultural
relationships and help community members understand how to engage and appropriately
communicate across cultures.

"We hope this program helps increase a sense of belonging for students from different
parts of the world to purse their academic journey at UHCL," he said.

UHCL Goes Global was planned in partnership with 12 departments across the UH-Clear
Lake campus, including the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; the Office of Global Learning and Strategy; and the College of Human Sciences and Humanities.

For a complete schedule of International Education Week events, go online.

This press release was produced by University of Houston-Clear Lake. The views expressed here are the author’s own.