By Michelle Mills
Gardens Point campus was alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of Arabia as students and staff celebrated QUT Sadààqah.
Meaning friendship in Arabic, Sadààqah celebrated the culture of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, and was hosted by QUT International.
More than 50 people met in the OJW room for presentations, focus groups and a tantalising Arabic lunch, while students in national costumes added colour and flair to the occasion.
Australian students shared stories of travel to the region and their experiences of gaining an understanding of the rich, traditional cultures.
Master of Law student Renae Roberts spent two months in Oman and said the Sultanate’s exotic culture and people made it a special holiday destination.
“Omani people are renowned for their kindness and hospitality and by staying with a family, I was able to experience their warmth and generosity firsthand,” she said.
Students from the UAE spoke of their expectations of studying in Brisbane and their highlights and challenges in adapting to the Aussie way of life.
Quantity Surveying student Mohammed Al Suwaidi has been in Australia for five years, first coming to QUT to study English.
“Australia is my second home and studying here has made me so much more confident,” he said.
After presentations the students formed focus groups to discuss how QUT can continue to improve support for Arab and other Muslim students.
Staff and guests participated in a discussion facilitated by Dr Fiona Hill on the differences between Western and Arab cultures and the education expectations of Arab students who choose to study abroad.
Director of International Marketing & Recruitment at QUT International, Ms Sharon Tickle, said she hoped Sadààqah would be an annual event.
“We see growing numbers of students from the Gulf States and Middle East on campus but don’t often have a chance to listen to their experiences and understand their perspective on student life at QUT,” Ms Tickle said.
“I now have a much better insight into the issues they face and am aware that we need to do more in the future to prepare them for the challenges they will encounter and support them.”
Sadààqah is part of the university’s ongoing commitment to the region and builds on activities earlier in the year, including:
- the financial support of 13 students to attend the Education Without Borders conference in the United Arab Emirates
- sponsoring the launch of the Brisbane Saudi students website which included a reception for the Saudi Arabia Ambassador and Cultural Attache
- inviting visiting Abu Dhabi high school students onto the campus to meet with Faculties, and
- supporting a UAE Student Association event.
| 
