Intercultural competencies encompass the ability to effectively interact within different cultural settings, create awareness of the interconnectedness of global issues, consider different perspectives, and understand the dynamics of multicultural settings to work and communicate more effectively.
With great fanfare, colour, song, and spoken word, the UFS Office for International Affairs celebrated Heritage Month with its annual International Diversity Festival, focusing on cultural competencies in higher education institutions.
Two festival dialogues took place on the Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein Campuses – also marking a first-of-its-kind for the former.
The 2022 UFS Sing-Off winners BEYKGISTA serenaded the audience with artistic renditions, and the International Offices’ Simba Matema closed the festival off with a solo performance to remember.
Creating rich spaces for intercultural competency development
The first leg of the festival took place on the Qwaqwa Campus on 19 September 2022, with the dialogue addressing the principles of intercultural education in higher education institutions and the importance of driving the understanding and teaching of intercultural skills and competencies in institutions of higher learning.
Bringing a student perspective, two Qwaqwa-based students also shared their thoughts on the significance of intercultural education on our campuses.
The audience was treated to the lovely traditional sounds of the Qwaqwa Campus gospel and diversity choir.
The second leg took place on the Bloemfontein Campus on 22 September 2022, where the focus was on key drivers of cultural awareness at an institution of higher learning, as well as intercultural competencies as key enablers for growth and success in society.
Wrapping up the festival, Dr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Director of the International Office, said it was crucial for staff and students to work towards creating opportunities for intercultural competency and exposure.
“We have opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom, but it is our choice whether we take that up. We need to be intentional about creating opportunities and building rich spaces for intercultural exchanges on campuses, but it is for every student and colleague to decide to take this initiative and participate.”